Mercer Music at Capricorn
The event of the year; that’s what Mercer University President Bill Underwood is calling the grand re-opening of Capricorn recording studios, now known as Mercer Music at Capricorn. Amyre Makupson with the University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism was at today’s announcement and caught up with a few of the big names involved.
“It’s a great day. A great day for music, a great day for Macon, a great day for me. This place holds so many incredible memories, I don’t know where I could start, we’ve made a lot of music in this building,” said Chuck Leavell, a musician known for his work with Macon’s The Allman Brother’s Band.
Macon musician Chuck Leavell first recorded in Capricorn Studios nearly five decades ago.
But in just a few months, the newly renovated Mercer Music at Capricorn will re-open its doors for the next generation of Southern musicians.
“This project is designed to leverage Macon’s music heritage with to create Macon music’s future,”said Larry Brumley, the Chief of Staff for Mercer University’s President, Bill Underwood.
Larry Brumley is overseeing the renovation for Mercer.
“it will be a one of the kind music hub that will include the restoration of the original historic studio, the addition of a second recording studio, there will be a rehearsal studio to rent, rehearse and collaborate, there will be a museum that will tell the history of Capricorn and Macon’s music history in general and there will be offices and conferences rooms for other arts organizations that kind of go along with what goes on in this building,” said Brumley.
The studio launches on December 2nd, almost 50 years to the day since Capricorn opened its doors.
To celebrate, Mercer will hold a two days of music and free studio tours.
“December 3rd, capping off our celebration, we’re planning what will be the event of the year in Macon, GA. The Capricorn revival concert will be at the Macon city auditorium,” said Bill Underwood, the President of Mercer University.
The concert will feature artists who recorded at Capricorn in its heyday, including former Allman Brothers Band member Chuck Leavell.
“Macon has this incredible rich history of music and we need a place like Capricorn studios in existence to record young bands,” said Leavell.
So that the next generation of bands…
“We’ve made so many records in here,”said Leavell.
Can keep on rocking…
“Rock on, Rock on – 2019 Capricorn Records,” said Alan Walden, one of original Co-Founders of Capricorn Studios.
For the full list of performances and details on how to get in on all the action, click here.
