Georgia’s music and soul

From REM, Little Richard, Ray Charles to Gladys Knight and Otis Redding, Georgia’s musical heritage is deep and rich. Honouring these and over 450 musicians is Georgia’s Music Hall of Fame in Macon while in Savannah in March is the internationally rated Savannah Music Festival.

Back in 1923, Fiddlin’John Carson recorded the first country music record in Georgia. The sounds of big band and swing also got their starts here. Fletcher Henderson founded his orchestra in 1924 and soon after hired Louis Armstrong. Georgia’s Tom’ Dorsey of Villa Rica is known as the father of Gospel music, while the Lewis Family from Lincolnton is known as the First Family of Bluegrass. Georgians made major contributions to blues to include Gertrude Ma Rainey, of Columbus and Blind Willie McTell, born in Thomson.

Southern rock (mix of rock ‘n’ roll and the blues, with a hint of country and folk) reached its apex in the 1970s. Some of the famous names associated with the sound are from Georgia, including the Allman Brothers Band (from Capricorn Records, which was originally launched in Macon), Atlanta Rhythm Section and the Dixie Dregs.

Two Georgia cities are renowned for their music. Athens, 60 miles east of Atlanta has produced some of the biggest groups in rock ‘n’ roll including the B-52’s, Widespread Panic and R.E.M. whose members still call the city home with impromptu performances at The 40 Watt and the Georgia Theatre.

Atlanta is still the capital of hip-hop and boasts a number of famous artists – Usher, OutKast, T.I., IndiaArie, Young Jeezy, and producers Jermaine Dupri and Dallas Austin are based in based in the city. Atlanta is also famous for its acoustic music thanks to Shawn Mullins, John Mayer and the Indigo Girls.

Both Athens and Atlanta play host to multiple musical festivals. Athfest, an outdoor music festival takes places every June, while throughout the year, Atlanta hosts some of the South’s largest musical festivals from jazz to rock. Musical acts also perform at a number of the city’s other well-known festivals such as the Dogwood Festival. The city of Savannah also draws large crowds for the Savannah Music Festival, a rising premier music event in south eastern US.

For more information, log on to Exploregeorgia.com.