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1/12/07, 5:45 pm EST
Assignment One Finalist: Jessica Walden-Griner on Macon, Georgia
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Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.
-- Rolling Stone
THE MUSIC TOWN THAT WASby Jessica Walden-Griner
age: 29In a town where Little Richard twirled his parasol, Otis Redding parked his El Dorado and Duane Allman took mushrooms and made melodies, music is history. The only artist from Macon, Georgia to have a hit in thirty years is Nashville-fried Jason Aldean – and the breakout song was “Hicktown.”
But Macon – whose real deal Southern country club blackballed Capricorn Records’ founder Phil Walden – continues to scavenge its legacy. The kids grew up and began asking their parents where they were when Berry Oakley and Dickey Betts were cutting teeth on hotbox pool halls and fried chicken legs from Mama Louise’s H&H Restaurant.
There are a handful of live music venues. The Drive-by Truckers sold-out the newly restored Capitol Theatre; Hank Williams III and Shooter Jennings didn’t fare as well – but their daddies had better luck decades ago.
Macon is also home to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. A performance by the Capricorn Rhythm Section, a notable group of vintage session players from Macon’s heyday, was standing room only in the 43,000-square-foot museum. Athens’ Modern Skirts later played the same spot to plenty of elbow room.
What does well in Macon is its past. Plans are underway for an Otis Redding tribute concert featuring Redding’s musician sons and a slew of famous friends. Money raised from the event goes into a charitable foundation established in the late soul shaker’s name. “Macon’s past is being used for its future in one of the biggest events of recent time,” says Karla Redding-Andrews, daughter and event organizer.
Another foundation has been established to turn a former residence of the Allman Brothers’ into a hippie’s Graceland. After all, there was a time when Macon was known as a mini-Memphis. And maybe, just maybe, the South’s gonna do it again.
Comments
Nikolet | 3/19/2008, 8:32 am EST
Nice site!
C. Albert | 5/11/2007, 4:49 pm EST
Jes:
Thanks for deftly linking past, present, future of Macon.
With folks like yourself at the helm, Macon can live up to its musical legacy!
ngasburw wvkph | 4/19/2007, 12:29 pm EST
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zack | 3/31/2007, 5:19 pm EST
great article i hope macon can get a good re-vamp and start making music again!
Barbara | 1/18/2007, 3:03 pm EST
Fabulous article! As one of the “hippy chicks” who used to party with the Allman brothers, it brought about a lot of “groovy” memories! Macon was and soon will be a rocking place. Check out the Hummingbird in downtown Macon to see the New Southern Rockers! Groove on, Jessica, you wrote a great article!
Laura | 1/17/2007, 9:03 am EST
Thanks, Jessica, for giving Macon its props!
Vicki | 1/16/2007, 11:32 pm EST
..and another thing…where is Brian from and where is his entry? Sorry, but you should have known it was Berry Oakley…BIG Mistake.
Vicki | 1/16/2007, 11:01 pm EST
You make me even prouder to be from Macon than I already am! Fantastic job! Pick Jessica…she’s even better than this article reflects.
Missy | 1/16/2007, 10:43 am EST
What a great article! Great job conveying your message in 300 words.
Peaches | 1/16/2007, 8:19 am EST
And by the way Brian, it’s Berry Oakley, not Barry.
Whit Mumbley | 1/15/2007, 10:35 pm EST
So Brian, you can’t play pool or eat fried chicken in a town that you’re not born in? I’m sure your intentions are good but the Allman Bros Band (of whom Betts and Oakley were members since I guess Second Coming didn’t work out so swell) scarred Macon, which they called home, and that’s her point. If you only want to sound smart, then just state a fact — you don’t have to contradict someone. See, I think it’s neat that you told me where these guys were born and how they met… I just don’t think it has anything to do with what this woman wrote.
brian grant | 1/15/2007, 10:25 pm EST
Your intentions are good! But Barry Oakley was actually born in Chicago,Illinois and Dicky Betts was born in West Palm beach,Fla. They actually met in Florida, and that is when Barry Oakley joined Dick Betts band, Second Coming.
Ruth Sykes | 1/15/2007, 3:21 pm EST
300 words is a tough limit, but you touched on so much of what makes Macon the Song & Soul of the South! Great job, Jessica!
Mr. Chris | 1/15/2007, 1:41 pm EST
You know, your piece was so well done it makes me sad. Yes you summed up the music history but more importantly, you nailed the town’s co-dependancy on it. And you never stated that the best thing out of Macon in 30 years was Aldean, just that he’s been the biggest thing (hey, how come Jeezy got no love?) and that too is a telling reflection. Good work, good luck and keep it up.
Anonymous | 1/15/2007, 1:23 pm EST
Amazing.
Sandi | 1/15/2007, 11:32 am EST
Well if the south can do it again then I know that somehow you will have a hand in it. Great article. Good luck!!
Brad Evans | 1/15/2007, 10:29 am EST
Good Job Jessica!
TNisha | 1/15/2007, 3:04 am EST
The summary of musical heritage within such and article is outstanding. But with that said the assignment was about todays day and age and it seemed more so that when i read the lead of this piece that that was all it was going to be about. It later got into what I really wanted to hear about the music scene that you witness in your everday life now but I wish it was also placed in you lead so I did not have to search for it as much.
All in all great piece I actually enjoyed it alot
Bone | 1/14/2007, 3:43 pm EST
Well said. I hope you win.
Bone | 1/14/2007, 3:42 pm EST
Well said. I hope you win!
Phillip | 1/14/2007, 12:43 pm EST
She sums up the musical heritage of this town beautifully. None of the other stories give as much insight in just 300 words.
Georgeanna Walden | 1/13/2007, 8:09 pm EST
Proud of ya’ big sis!!! PICK HER YOU CAN’T GET ANY BETTER
Janet | 1/13/2007, 6:39 pm EST
Great article! Good Luck!
Heather | 1/13/2007, 2:51 pm EST
This is a great piece on Macon. Jessica manages to convey the past, present and future of this music town in a short piece. Good job!
Casey | 1/13/2007, 2:18 pm EST
GREAT JOB JESSICA!!!!! Good Luck!
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