The holiday spirit is alive and well at the Otis Redding Foundation in downtown Macon, and the group is hoping to spread that cheer with none other than some music.
"O'tis the Season is our first-ever Christmas fundraiser that we’re gonna do here, benefiting the Otis Redding Foundation and the Otis Redding Center for Creative Arts," said Justin Andrews, director of special projects & outreach for the Otis Redding Foundation.
Andrews says it’s community events like O’tis the Season that help keep the foundation running year after year.
"Without it we wouldn't be able to do the programming that we do," Andrew said.
Programs like music education camps have been giving Central Georgia kids a creative outlet for over a decade.
"We’re big on, of course, music and education. That’s our number one component. But we also take that and turn it into being positive role models for the kids, and of course, giving them the confidence to do whatever it is they want in life and not have anyone tell them no or that’s something that they can’t do," said Andrews.
The foundation strives to instill in the next generation the creativity of a man who helped put Macon on the map.
"You’ve got to keep Otis Redding relevant, because without Otis, some of these new musicians that you hear now, they either wouldn't exist or wouldn't have the sound that everyone loves coming from these new artists," said Andrews.
'O’tis the Season' is on Thursday, December 13th.
You’ll hear from some kids involved in the music camp and some more well-known artists, like Chuck Leavell.
Tickets range from $25 to $50. You can buy them and find out more information on the foundation's website.