Country megastar Brad Paisley’s latest single, “City of Music,” is such a tremendous ode to the city of Nashville that it inspired an unprecedented tourism campaign. On July 4, Paisley and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that the state is giving away $250 airline vouchers to the first 10,000 travelers who book a two-night stay through TennesseeOnMe.com.
“Tennessee is known around the world for its music, scenic beauty, and iconic attractions,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “We’re ready for people to come back to Tennessee ‘on me,’ to enjoy live music all over the state created by our talented musicians and songwriters like Brad Paisley.”
The Grammy- and Country Music Award-winning artist added, “‘City of Music’ is a love letter to Nashville and a tribute to all the pilgrims who come to this great city. I’m more excited than ever that live music is back in Tennessee — and bigger than ever.”
To qualify, package reservations must be made through the site, with travel dates from July 11 to Dec. 30, 2021 on flights into Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, or Nashville on the participating airlines (American, Delta, or Southwest). More than 60 hotels are participating in the program and the stays must include an overnight on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Full payment is required at the time of booking, and the offer includes one voucher per package booked, not per person. The vouchers will be sent to the email address used between 48 and 72 hours after booking. (Exact rules and restrictions are detailed here.)
The state had earmarked $2.5 million to promote tourism — Tennessee’s second-largest industry with $23 million generated in travel spending in 2019 — and felt the vouchers would be the most effective way to get people back after the pandemic. As part of the campaign, Paisley and Lee filmed a video, jokingly making it clear that the free vouchers are courtesy of Lee, not Paisley.
Source: travelandleisure.com