The city of Macon is known for many things, but nothing quite stands out as much as the word music. Macon and music have been intertwined as the city has been standing.
It all started with ancestors from the Muskogee Creek Nation, who used the vibrance and light of sound in what is now Macon. However, as time has gone on, the music has evolved and grown just as the city itself has.
Many know the large names such as Otis Redding, Little Richard and The Allman Brothers Band; however, that is only the tip of the iceberg. There are artists from all genres here whose roots had either stemmed from the city itself or found their way here due the famous record labels and live music scene.
Aaron Buzza, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Visit Macon, says “It’s a beautiful progression from thousands of years ago to present day, as we see music carry so much of Macon’s story and it’s a beautiful thread that people like to follow.”
Music has influenced Macon in a plethora of ways.
Economically, Macon’s music scene brings people in from all over the world. People come to Macon for a chance to visit historic locations such as The Big House, Capricorn Studio, or the Otis Redding Center for Performing Arts. People also come here to visit local venues, including the historic Grant’s Lounge and the new Atrium Amphitheater.
Kendra Unruh, a former Macon resident, said that there is nothing quite like listening to music here.
“When we lived here. We went to listen to Elton John, and he did a two hour concert. Didn’t take any breaks. Sat at the piano and I felt like I was sitting in a chair next to him. It was wonderful,” Unruh said.
While Macon is economically stimulated by the music scene, it also works to cultivate a deeper culture within the city and build a connected community.
“I think it’s important to tie the two together because people are coming for the stories, people are coming for the musical influence,” Buzza said. “That’s more of the culture side of it. But then the impact that they have financially on our community, all of the businesses, the hotels, the restaurants, retail, plus those venues that are putting on those performances, incredible and almost impossible to study.”
Macon also works hard to provide young artists an opportunity to break into the scene by providing different venues and opportunities for them to get their music out there. Restaurants and bars such as Parish on Cherry, The Hummingbird, and Grant’s Lounge, host musicians at their venues.
Stores such as Fresh Produce Records, also work to provide musicians with opportunities to get their music out there.
“We are one of the biggest stimulants for the local, especially physical music economy, just in the fact that if you make an album we’ll typically buy copies of the stock in our store, we don’t do consignment or anything like that,” William Rutledge, the Co-owner and Manager of Fresh Produce, says. “I try to pay artists cash up front and, as long as it’s put together and professionally packaged and all that good stuff, and we try to, just keep that, that presence kind of so that if you have an album, we’re open seven days a week, that means seven days a week that someone can walk in and, you know, get a copy of your album.”
Music has been an amazing part of Macon’s history but the culture and influence does not remain limited to the city itself. Artists, such as the Allman Brothers, have played larger roles in shaping the United States as a whole. The Allman Brothers used to host fundraisers to raise support for Jimmy Carter, which was one of the main factors that played into him being elected as President.
Music has not just been a stop in Macon’s extensive history but rather an ever evolving force that continues to shape the city and its success.
