Georgia’s Music Heritage Reignited with Opening of Mercer Music at Capricorn

Tuesday December 10, 2019

Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), is excited to share a new chapter to Georgia’s music story.  On Dec. 3, 2019 the doors reopened to the historic Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon. Held on the 50th anniversary of its opening, Capricorn Sound Studios was reborn as Mercer Music at Capricorn and ushered in the opportunity to create future music legends while preserving an iconic piece of Georgia’s past.

Founded in 1969 by brothers Phil and Alan Walden, Capricorn Sound Studios cultivated a roster of new talent that began to redefine American music and create a new musical genre: Southern Rock. Today, Mercer Music at Capricorn will work to continue its legacy of fostering talent and telling the story of Capricorn’s impact on American culture. The 20,000-square-foot complex features a music incubator where musicians can rehearse, collaborate and grow; state-of-the-art commercial studios and production rooms for recording; a museum that tells the Capricorn story through digital, visual and audio storytelling; and offices, co-working space and meeting rooms for nonprofits and creatives.

The Museum at Capricorn will officially open on Jan. 2, 2020, and will connect visitors with artifacts, murals and interactive digital kiosks featuring music, video and text that bring Capricorn’s story to life. The museum will be open Tuesday – Saturday.

Georgia has a wide-ranging musical heritage that spans as many genres as it does decades. Artists such as Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, the B-52s, and more, all hail from the Peach State. The many sites, museums, tours, festivals and memorials across the state share the stories of music legends and pay homage to those who claim Georgia as their home. Here are some of Georgia’s music experiences that you can’t find anywhere else:

  • Athens: Known as the birthplace of some of rock and roll’s biggest names, including R.E.M. and the B-52s, Athens has a vibe and energy that continues to attract music fans from across the globe. During a visit to Athens, be sure to catch a live show at the iconic music venue The 40 Watt Club, buy a record at the legendary Wuxtry Records and dive into the Athens music scene on the Athens Music History Walking tour. The Athens Music Walk of Fame is in development and will be completed in June 2020.
  • Godfather of Soul Exhibit at Augusta Museum of History: Augusta is the hometown of world-famous soul singer James Brown, so it’s only fitting that it’s also the home to the first and most comprehensive major exhibition dedicated to him. Listen to some of his all-time hits, and learn about his life, legacy and contribution to music. Highlights of the exhibit include ever-changing costumes and other personal artifacts owned and worn by Brown, family photos, original vinyl albums, and other unique memorabilia.
  • Macon Music Trail *NEW*: With legend after legend, hit after hit, and story after story, Macon’s music scene is overflowing with history and new experiences. From the earliest sounds of sacred rhythms to the groundbreaking rhythm and blues that would later set the stage for Southern Rock, here you will find avenues of exploration that include historic spaces, public spaces, cemeteries, museums, street signs and monuments that mean something to the songbook of legendary Macon music.
  • Savannah Music Festival: Savannah Music Festival is Georgia’s largest musical arts event and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world. The festival is dedicated to presenting world-class celebrations of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah. The festival will be held March 26 – April 11, 2020.

To find out more about Georgia’s music performances, exhibitions, landmarks and more, visit ExploreGeorgia.org/Music.

Media Images: https://bit.ly/2RC0zCO
Photo Credit: Mercer Music at Capricorn

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