MACON, Ga. — A Macon band is climbing the roller coaster of hometown fame after contributing to the local music scene for over a year.
“Macon Music Revue” just secured a new opportunity that they hope will help them continue to grow.
The group is made up of 5 people that all have an interest in soul music.
They were chosen as the most talented soul artists here in Macon last year, and now perform music together weekly at Grant’s Lounge.
Charles Davis, 38, is the lead singer. He says they play songs from Macon’s music history to keep that legacy going.
“It was decided to put a band together for Grant’s to show and highlight and showcase the history of Macon’s music and they tapped us to do it,” Davis said.
Now they are opening for St. Paul and The Broken Bones at the King of Soul Music Festival that honors Otis Redding.
“This is for the Otis Redding Family, so they do things very big and very professionally,” Davis said. ” As I said, to be asked to open up for them means that the Redding Foundation sees what we are doing.”
Ethan Hamlin, another member of the band, agrees.
“We’re just thankful to have a place once a week for people to come and re-experience that music the way we think it should be,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin plays the piano. He says he’s grateful to have this opportunity with his band members.
“I’m just lucky to be able to play with a good group of guys,” Hamlin said.
Davis says performing to help the Redding Foundation means a lot to the group.
“It’s a bit of pressure to make sure that we do it correctly to honor the legacy,” Davis said. “You can’t go mess around, doing Otis’ music bad. You have to do it correctly and give it the reverence that it deserves.”
This year marks the third King of Soul Music Festival– that serves as a fundraiser for the Otis Redding Center for the Arts.
Attendance for Friday night’s show costs $50 dollars. There’s a show and dance Saturday night, Sept. 7 at the Capitol Theater.
