Georgia honors Otis Redding

On the evening of September 18,2015 at 7:00 p m EST the city of Gary, Georgia will honor Otis Redding. They will unveil a 7 foot x 7 foot banner that will be displayed on the corner of Highway 129 & Highway 11. The marker that looks like a giant album will have an interactive panel where fans can stop and hear some of the songs and see photos of the late R & B singer/songwriter.

The unveiling will be part the city's spoons & tunes festival. The festival is catered by local restaurants and features local bands. This year the Redding family will attendance as tribute is paid to the cities favorite son.

“My father loved Jones County just as we do,” said Redding’s daughter, Karla Redding-Andrews. “We work in Macon, but when we leave Macon, we are so ready. We’re ready to get back to what we call ‘God’s country.’ ’’

Mr. Redding was born in the small town , in Georgia, on September 9, 1941. He then became one the biggest names in Rhythm & Blues in the 1960's. He was best known for his hit “Dock of the Bay” that was released after his death in 1967. In his short career he had 6 albums and another 5 that were released after death.

In 1967 he was named vocalist of the year before a plane crash tragically shortened Mr. Redding's career. Since that time he has had several honors. Among those honors was being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriter Hall of Fame. He has also been honored by the United States Post Office when they released a commemorative stamp in the mid 1990's.