Otis Redding

OTIS REDDING STORIES Fifty years after the release of his debut album, Otis Redding remains one of the most soulful, evocative voices in popular music. His songs have been the soundtrack to true love and heartbreak, some of the greatest film scenes of all time, lazy days and steamy nights. This page will be a collection of people’s stories from all over the world, giving fans new and old a glimpse into the meaning that an Otis song adds to the human experience. PARTICIPATE: Each month, we will post a new song as the “theme” of the month on our http://otisreddingstories.tumblr.com. Fans who wish to share their stories, feelings, reviews, or experiences of the song can record a short podcast-style sound clip and send it as an MP3 or a soundcloud link to [email protected]. The Otis Redding Team will review each story, potentially add some production, and upload via Soundcloud to the Tumblr page. Fans are encouraged to submit photos to be included with their stories. Stories will be uploaded weekly. If you haven’t heard your story yet, please be patient. HOW TO RECORD: We recommend recording your story on Soundcloud. If you have a smartphone, you can download the Soundcloud app and begin recording immediately, directly on your phone. The Soundcloud App can be downloaded from the App Store or on Google Play. If you are using your desktop to record your story, we recommend using Spreaker to record. You can set up an account here: www.spreaker.com Spreaker will allow you to upload directly to SoundCloud as well. GUIDELINES: These stories may be in whatever language you are most comfortable – they do not have to be in English. Stories MUST be about the featured song of the month. Submissions should be no longer than 5 minutes. Please include your name and location with submissions. Copyrights to the audio recording belong to the Estate of Otis Redding by submitting your Mp3 file or link to your SoundCloud recording for this purpose you authorize the Estate of Otis Redding and its representatives to use your sound recording for any purpose, promotionally or commercially, to celebrate or promote Otis Redding. QUESTIONS: Send your questions to [email protected] Get To Know Otis: Buy "The King Of Soul" - The Otis Redding Anthology today. http://amzn.to/19IYVV8

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https://soundcloud.com/otisredding/year-of-ga-music-macon-otis-redding-with-karla-redding-andrews

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https://soundcloud.com/otisredding/otis-redding-stories-paul-rodgers

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https://soundcloud.com/otisredding/kam-franklin-otis-redding-stories

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https://soundcloud.com/otisredding/david-moreu-journalist-for-dapper-magazine-otis-stories

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https://soundcloud.com/otisredding/tim-sampson-communications-director-for-the-stax-museum-otis-redding-stories

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Otis Redding Celebrates ‪#‎BlackHistoryMonth‬: Rosa King

Macon = Music! Rosa King, a Macon born jazz and blues saxophonist and singer, first found fame in Amsterdam. King performed with @Ben E. King, Cab Calloway, and Eric Burdon during her lengthy career.‪#‎Respect‬‪#‎Macon‬

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: Otis Redding Foundation Next time you're in Macon, make sure to visit the Otis Redding Foundation! Established in 2007 by Mrs. Zelma Redding in her husband’s honor, the Otis Redding Foundation, with its roots in music, has created educational awareness programs in the arts and humanities. These programs encourage individual and team participation, build self-esteem and instill discipline. To honor Otis’ dream, the Otis Redding Foundation provides opportunities for youth to improve their academic performance by helping them make choices in life that enrich rather than endanger. By providing programs that ignite dreams in our future generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to connecting the universal relevance of music to serve as a catalyst for education and other youth oriented initiatives. Visit them! www.otisreddingfoundation.com

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: Carla Thomas Carla Thomas began her music career at the age of 10 with the “The Teen Town Singers” in Memphis and continued to make records with Atlantic and Stax Records throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She collaborated with Otis on the “King & Queen” album and is fondly known as “The Queen of Memphis Soul."

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: Minnie B. Smith and Nellie Pratt Russell Ms. Smith and Ms. Russell lead the committee to incorporate Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Although founded in 1908 at Howard University, the sorority was not incorporated until these women helped further the growth of the sorority by expanding nationally in 1912. In late January of 1913, the Articles of Incorporation were signed, making Alpha Kappa Alpha the first national sorority for African American women. #BlackHistoryMonth

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman was a famed 19th-century American abolitionist and activist. She was known for her many trips to the South to rescue enslaved family and friends using the so-called "Underground Railroad." After the American Civil War, she worked alongside Susan B. Anthony to promote women's suffrage. The Tubman African American Museum celebrating her work is located in Macon, GA. The newly-constructed, 80,000 square foot museum will open in the spring of 2015. 

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: Howard Tate Today’s #BlackHistoryMonth honoree, Howard Tate, also hails from Otis’ hometown. He enjoyed three Top 20 rhythm-and-blues hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “Ain’t Nobody Home” and “Get It While You Can.” The latter song was later elevated to canon status when it was covered by Janis Joplin. 

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Otis Redding Celebrates #BlackHistoryMonth: C. Jack Ellis Meet C. Jack Ellis, the first African-American mayor of Macon. He was elected in the 1999 general election and served as mayor until 2007. Ellis previously served 20 years in the US Army as a paratrooper and spent 2 years in Vietnam as a combat soldier. His brother, William Ellis, was a close friend of Otis Redding’s.

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Otis Redding Celebrates Black History Month: Charles Henry Douglass

Visitors to Macon, GA would be remiss not to visit the historic Douglass Theater. Charles Henry Douglass was a leading businessman and prominent community leader who fought for equality. He founded the Douglass Theater in 1911. It became a top spot for entertainment for members of the black community in Macon. Notable performers include: Bessie Smith, Otis Redding, James Brown, and Little Richard. 

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Otis Redding Celebrates Black History Month: James Brown

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Otis Redding Celebrates Black History Month: Lucy Craft Laney

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Our ‪#‎BlackHistoryMonth‬ honoree this Valentine’s day is Otis Redding's wife, Mrs. Zelma Redding. Mrs. Redding co-wrote "I've Got Dreams To Remember" with her husband, and she feels she is the object of such unforgettable ballads as “That’s How Strong My Love Is” and “These Arms Of Mine.” We salute you, Mrs. Zelma Redding! Happy Valentine’s Day!‪#‎Macon‬ Photo © The Otis Redding Estate