King of Soul Festival honoring Otis Redding gets underway
Weekend events kick-off with Evening of Respect
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- The Third Annual King of Soul Festival kicks off tonight in Macon, paying tribute to the legendary Otis Redding. The festivities will commence at the Macon City Auditorium with the much-anticipated event, “An Evening of Respect.” Fans and attendees can expect a night filled with music, memories, and fun as the community gathers to celebrate the enduring legacy of Otis Redding, one of soul music’s greatest icons.
Monica Diaz-Meek reported live at the Macon City Auditorium and talked to Karla Redding-Andrews, VP/Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation, to get the latest updates and insights as the city prepares to host this significant cultural event. The King of Soul Festival has become a beloved tradition in Macon, drawing visitors from near and far to honor the life and music of Otis Redding.
The festival pays tribute to Redding’s contributions to music and supports the Foundation’s mission of uplifting young musicians through music education. All proceeds from the festival will go directly to the Otis Redding Foundation’s youth music education initiatives and the upcoming Otis Redding Center for the Arts, which is scheduled to open in October 2024, according to a news release.
The event will feature a performance by the critically-acclaimed soul band St. Paul & the Broken Bones. Opening the evening will be the Macon Music Revue, which includes Otis Redding Music Camp alumni guitarist Dustin McCook, bassist Evan Bentzel, and vocalist Charles Davis, along with Ethan Hamlin on keys and Caleb Melvin on drums.
During the evening, the Georgia Music Foundation will be honored with the Otis & Zelma Redding Award of Respect for their support of the Foundation’s music programs. The Gia Maione Prima Foundation will receive the Otis Redding III Award of Philanthropy for its commitment to music education. Additionally, acclaimed Macon native, singer, songwriter, and producer Vinson “Alaz” Muhammad will be presented with the Otis Redding Foundation Dream Award for his dedication to inspiring young students.
The celebration continues on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with the Big ‘O’ Homecoming Show at the Capitol Theater in Macon.
