The 2nd Annual King of Soul Music Festival

OTIS REDDING FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL
HONOREES AND TALENT FOR 2nd ANNUAL KING OF SOUL MUSIC
FESTIVAL IN MACON, GEORGIA
SEPTEMBER 8-9, 2023

In Addition to Jermaine Dupri, Honorees Include Conductor Roderick Cox and Philanthropist Benjy Griffith

Performers Include Renowned Orchestra Noir, Grammy-Nominated Artists Jac Ross and Anderson East, and Grammy Award Winner Taj Mahal

Macon, Georgia –August 29, 2023- The Otis Redding Foundation is proud to announce the inclusion of distinguished honorees and renowned talent for its highly anticipated 2nd Annual King of Soul Music Festival taking place on September 8th and 9th in the heart of Macon, Georgia. The Festival is a celebration of the timeless legacy of the legendary Otis Redding, who rose to prominence rooted in the heart of Macon. The festival aims to honor Otis Redding’s influence on soul music and his profound impact on the world, while also supporting the Otis Redding Foundation’s mission to empower and uplift young musicians through music education.

The Foundation recently announced they will be honoring songwriter, producer, DJ and entrepreneur, Jermaine Dupri, with the prestigious Otis and Zelma Redding Award of Respect for his profound contributions to the world of music and entertainment.

In addition to Jermaine, Conductor Roderick Cox will be honored with The Otis Redding Foundation DREAM Award for his outstanding dedication to nurturing the next generation of classical musicians through scholarship funding and mentorship. Cox’s work with the Roderick Cox Music Initiative has been deeply inspired by the support and encouragement he received from the Otis Redding Foundation.

Benjy Griffith will be honored with the inaugural Otis Redding III Award of Philanthropy, recognizing his exceptional philanthropic efforts and unwavering commitment to supporting and encouraging youth throughout Macon-Bibb County and making a positive impact on communities through The Griffith Foundation.

An “Evening of Respect” will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Macon City Auditorium. In addition to the honorees, there will be exceptional performances paying tribute to the King of Soul from Orchestra Noir, Jac Ross, Taj Mahal, Anderson East, Rebel Rae and The DREAM Team, composed of talented young singers, songwriters, and musicians from the Middle Georgia area. The host for the evening will be producer and media personality, Symphony Thompson.

Tickets for “The Evening of Respect” can be purchased at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E005EF3A9272FCF.

The “Big ‘O’ Homecoming Show” will be held at the Capitol Theatre on Saturday, September 9 with special performances from Kendra Morris and Alanna Royale. The hosts will be Charles Davis, Morning Host of 100.9 “The Creek” and Justin Andrews, Director of Special Projects and Outreach for The Otis Redding Foundation.

Tickets for the “The Big ‘O’ Homecoming Show” can be purchased at:
https://www.seetickets.us/event/The-Big-%22O%22-Homecoming-Show/565131?ttc=1481334

For more information about the festival, and the Otis Redding Foundation, please visit: www.otisreddingfoundation.org.

About the Otis Redding Foundation

The Otis Redding Foundation’s mission is to empower, enrich, and motivate all young people through programs involving music, writing and instrumentation. Each partnership and program sponsored since its inception in 2007, supports the philanthropic commitment of Otis Redding to empower and enlighten all young people to fulfill their dreams.

The Otis Redding Center for the Arts

The Otis Redding Center for the Arts is a multipurpose space open to students ages 3-18 who have a desire to explore their interest in all elements of music and the arts. Planning is well underway with a proposed opening in 2024.The Center will be staffed with Macon’s finest musicians offering private music lessons in areas such as piano, audio engineering, strings, and more. Students are encouraged to go beyond and tap into their best effort. The Center believes in the vitality of music and the arts and continues to develop those avenues for youth. The Center’s partnerships include Concord Music Group, Broadcast Music Inc., UMPG (Universal Music Publishing Group), Mercer University and others.

W&W Public Relations