Otis Redding Still Giving Us ‘Satisfaction’

 The family of Otis Redding ended a week of eventscommemorating the 40th Anniversary of the iconic singer’s passing (December 10, 2007) in their hometown of Macon , Georgia.

Ranked #21 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list, Redding’s legacy includes a string of timeless hits including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Satisfaction,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Respect” and “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay.”

The week long commemoration, which benefits The Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation, included a musical tribute hosted by special guests Kenny Lattimore and Chanté Moore with performances by Dexter and Otis Redding, III (The Reddings), The Macon Symphony Orchestra, the Bar-Kays, Taj Mahal and American Idol finalist, Diana DeGarmo. An audience of over 2,000 were in attendance, including Macon Mayor, C. Jack Ellis, Congressman Jim Marshall (D-Ga. 8th District), Michael L. Thurmond, Labor Commissioner, State of Georgia and Kenneth L. Stewart, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development.

“It was an evening to remember,” stated Redding ’s widow, Zelma. “Seeing my sons perform Otis’ music with the Bar-Kays brought back so many memories of Otis’ days performing with that band. It was an excellent evening and we raised over $100,000 for The Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation.”

Another highlight of the week was the opening of Otis Redding: I’ve Got Dreams To Remember, a multimedia, interactive exhibit which includes 175 artifacts including photographs, handwritten lyrics, posters, letters and other memorabilia that tell the story of Redding ’s rise to international stardom. Multimedia kiosks enable visitors to experience his musical evolution as a singer, composer, arranger, producer and performer.

“The response to the Otis Redding: I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” exhibit has been incredible,” stated Lisa Love, Executive Director of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. “We expect to have record numbers of visitors viewing the exhibit during the next year.” Otis Redding: I’ve Got Dreams to Remember was curated by Ellen Fleurov, president of Crossroads Traveling Exhibitions and will be display through September 8, 2008.

The week of events also included a talent show and sidewalk portrait dedication at the Historic Douglas Theatre , where Redding won 14 talent contests in his youth; an art competition at the Tubman African American Museum; a premiere of the DVD, Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding (releasing September 18, 2007), a jazz concert and a gospel tribute.

The Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation was created by Zelma Redding and her family to empower youth to remain confident, motivated and interested in education through music and arts programs. It was always a personal mission of Redding ’s to encourage young people to stay in school. Before his passing, he had developed programs to be held at his ranch where he invited people from all areas of the music industry to lecture to children on the importance of education and learning. Of her husband’s efforts, Zelma Redding says, “Otis would tell me, ‘if it takes music to get the attention of these young people, then let’s educate them through music.”

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BELOW…and for more information please visit www.otisredding.com