MUSICIANS FOR A SMOKEFREE TENNESSEE
Musicians for a Smokefree TN is an active coalition of artists and advocates on a mission to create smokefree workplaces for all TN musicians and hospitality workers. We have used our voices to advocate for our community, and our work has resulted in legislative change at both the state and local level in TN. And we even have a song! Listen below, then scroll down to meet our growing list of artists and learn why smokefree venues, bars, and clubs are so important to us.
WHAT TN ARTISTS ARE SAYING
“A vast majority of Tennesseans enjoy the guarantee of a safe and smoke free workplace. Shouldn’t us musicians and hospitality workers be treated the same? In a state that prides itself on a rich heritage of music and entertainment, that only seems fair.
— Jamie Kent (Nashville)
"I've long been an advocate for smoke free public spaces, restaurants, bars and venues. As a
singer and vocal coach, my career and ability to work is dependent on my vocal health. I want
for myself and others to be able to work and socialize in environments where we are not forced
to be exposed to damaging second hand smoke."
— Michaela Anne (Nashville)
“I have not played in smoking venues in over a decade. I find it unhealthy and undesirable, so I avoid them.”
— Mary Gauthier (Nashville)
“It is always my goal to spread the message of empathy and love through consistent engaging performances and practicing unconditional love and empathy with my audiences. The smokefree movement is an extension of that practice, it helps to extend the idea of respect and love toward the health of me and my bandmates, so that we can continue to give consistent engaging performances for the entirely of our tours. Self-love is the start of mutual love and understanding.”
— Kyshona Armstrong (Nashville)
“I used to play in this small venue in Jacksonville Beach, FL a lot that was always packed and full of smokers. Though it was always a good show, my gear would smell for weeks, and my voice would be shot for a few days, so I always played there on a Sunday. I realize that freedom of choice is incredibly important, we live in America. But when a choice impacts the whole, such as a smoker among a group of non-smokers, it’s both abrasive and invasive. Especially now that I have a one year old at home, I’m extremely cautious about the environments I allow myself and my child to be in. Smoking environments aren’t on that list, the impact just isn’t worth it.”
-Nicholas Edward Williams (Chattanooga)
“Singer in a smoking room is an amazing lyric. But it’s not ideal for a real, hard working Singer. I love a good cigar every once and a while myself. But not while I’m working and not in the places I have to work. Please support smoke free restaurants and live music venues.”
-Keia Johnson (Memphis)
“Nashville is a place where you can experience legendary artists up close along with the best of the best of upcoming artists in all genres! To know going in, that those experiences will be smoke free, and that music will be the only thing in the air—only elevates the moment & the memory for everyone. It’s important to me that our beloved community of artists & audiences alike, be given the absolute best circumstances to shine & enjoy with no distractions or health concerns!”
— Jamie Floyd (Nashville)
"I believe that venues should be Smoke Free indoors because we never know what pre-existing health conditions folks may have around us. In the same way that wearing a mask keeps the people around you safe, smoking outside of venues helps keep folks inside of venues safe. I want to create the best atmosphere on stage for my musicians and fans, so that’s why I make sure to keep venues smoke free."
— Jordan Occasionally (Memphis)
“The image of the road-worn musician playing to a crowd in a smoke-filled bar has been a trope romanticized by various media outlets and musicians themselves for decades, but it’s time we updated our thinking; smoking is deadly, and being a touring musician is a difficult job as-is. Just like most other jobs, musicians deserve to work in a reasonably safe, healthy, smokefree environment.”
— Smooth Hound Smith (Nashville)
“I quit smoking ten years ago and it was the best thing I ever did, both for my health and my singing. Unfortunately, for many years after I quit smoking, I continued to earn part of my livelihood playing music in smoke-filled Tennessee bars. I have been privileged to travel all over the US and Europe playing music, and I can assure you, Tennessee is way behind the times on this issue. We need to ban smoking in Tennessee bars, to protect the health of musicians and everyone in the hospitality industry. It's long past time, especially considering the new challenges the live music industry faces in the age of COVID-19. All Tennesseeans deserve a safe working environment.”
-John Paul Keith (Memphis)
“I won’t perform in a smoke filled venue. My health is my priority. Thank you to Musicians for a Smokefree Nashville for helping to create more smokefree stages.”
— Sarah Potenza (Nashville)
“Having smokefree bars helps me be my best for you – it protects my instrument and the job I love so much.”
— Erin Enderlin (Nashville)
"Playing smoke-filled venues is a concern for so many reasons. Most obviously, the long-term effects of secondhand smoke are extensive. But another big concern for me is the gear I have to bring in and out of the venue. I'm a producer, and when my gear smells like day-old cigarette smoke, it's bringing all of that nastiness from the venue right back into my home and my studio. But most importantly, I want to be as healthy as possible to enjoy and support my two young children. After a night playing in a smoke-filled venue, you can hear it in the raspiness of my voice and see the redness in my eyes. Playing live music shouldn't interfere with our ability to show up as the best version of ourselves. Our kids deserve better than that.”
-Matt Honkonen (Knoxville)
“Growing up, I struggled with asthma attacks and hyperventilation. Thankfully over the years, I’ve become more aware of what triggers my breathing problems so I’m not dependent on an inhaler. One of my main triggers is cigarette smoke and it’s difficult to avoid when I’m performing. One whiff of smoke can derail a performance that I’ve been preparing for for weeks.“
- Rachel McIntyre Smith (Chattanooga)
“As a musician who performs a lot across various venues in and out of my hometown, I
find it essential for our work environments to be clean. Clean is smokefree. When there's
smoke in the areas in which we perform, we are exposed to second
hand smoke that may be irritating or more importantly affect our health longterm without us even
being aware. We are independent contractors yet still perform a job just like the
employees of a normal smokefree workplace. So, what's stopping Tennessee from hopping on
board?”
— A.N.T.E. (Memphis)
“I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke. I will lose my voice by the end of the show, no doubt. It happens every time.”
— Shelly Fairchild (Nashville)
“I love music; it is my life! Music allows me to connect with people. I always want to be present and give it my all when performing. but a smoke-filled environment impedes my ability to put my best foot forward and stains that important connection. Public places are our workplaces, whether they are bars, restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, or theaters. Let’s all work together so that we can stay connected, safe, and healthy. Together we will make a change!”
— SZLACHETKA (Nashville)
“We know the dangers of 1st and 2nd hand smoking and have changed regulations in the work place, in restaurants, campuses, etc. and yet we tend to make an exception when it comes to the music industry. It’s time we create a culture where smoking and artistry don’t go hand in hand.”
—Jenny Leigh (Nashville)
“I’m thankful that Smokefree Tennessee allowed me to showcase my passion for the arts to represent a mission so positive and necessary. As a saxophone player it has been a challenge to do 2 to 3 hour sets in a smoke filled venue so I support the movement!”
— Swayyvo (Chattanooga)
Whether you're one of the musicians onstage or a fan in the crowd, you want to finish a
show feeling invigorated and infinite. Nothing can drain that spirit -- not only mentally, but bodily,
too -- like inhaling a bunch of second-hand smoke. Those who smoke indoors are forcing
everybody around them to partake, and if you're smoking during a show, you're personally
jeopardizing the singer's ability to his or her job.
— Andrew Leahey (Nashville)
“When venues started converting to ‘smoke free’ in Nashville, it was a huge relief to
breathe clean air indoors again, especially while playing music. We think it planted a seed
that we all deserve to exist in a smoke-free environment in smokers and non-smokers
alike. We support this movement toward healthier spaces and also as courtesy to those
who can’t tolerate smoking environments due to health concerns such as asthma, COPD
and other diseases. It’s not always obvious who is struggling, and it’s our mission for all
people to feel comfortable and be able to breathe when they are trying to relax and enjoy
a show.”
— SlowForce (Nashville)
“Playing music in a venue that allows smoking not only compromises my health and my ability to play the best show possible, but it also compromises all of those who come to see me. Artists deserve a clean place to work, create, and connect with their audience and that cannot happen in a smoking venue. I look forward to the day when worrying about it will be a thing of the past!”
— Paul Childers (Nashville)
"Nashville is my home and singing is what I plan to do forever. It's important to me to see a Smokefree Music City so that my health and yours is not an issue and we can continue to live this dream together."
—Sarah Aili (Nashville)
“Smokefree venues create the safest environment not just for performing musicians but also our
fans!”