Music venues struggle to survive

Why it matters: Over the last several months, the Mercy Lounge trio of venues announced it was leaving Cannery Row without a new location. And earlier this year, a boutique hotel developer purchased the Exit/In property, apparently setting the stage for the long-time operators to be pushed out.

Driving the news: Metro Councilmember Jeff Syracuse passed legislation earlier this year calling for a comprehensive study of Nashville's concert industry.

• Syracuse hopes the study will identify which venues are vulnerable, as well as possible tax breaks to help against harsh competition from corporate giants Live Nation and AEG.
• The study is in a holding pattern as stakeholders wait on their application for federal stimulus dollars, which would be used to hire a consultant to do the research.