MACON, Ga. — How much do you love your city? Carl Melvin Dudley a.k.a CMD Styles loves his city of Macon so much, he decided to write a song about it.
“I Love My City” highlights the places and faces that make Macon so unique.
Lyrics like, “We’re Macon Mayhem at the Hay House and right there y’all, a house hit by a cannonball and didn’t even fall,” and “Macon a difference, Macon new friends while we were Macon the right decisions.”
Styles wrote the song 11 years ago and members of the Macon bicentennial committee thought it would be a great way to celebrate the city’s 200th birthday.
“Not expecting it, but I’ve been around the music so long, it’s kind of like appreciate it. I’m excited, cool but once again, what are we going to do with it,” Styles said.
To understand Styles’ love for his city you have to go back to when he was a child. Born into a military family in California, he always considered Central Georgia his home because that’s where his parents are from.
Styles graduated from Central High School in Macon and went on to study at Fort Valley State University. He’s always had a love of music and entertainment and started his career in the early 90s. His songs are positive and upbeat.
“When I wrote 'I Love My City' I just wanted to write something that said love instead of hate,” Styles said.
He also wanted to pay tribute to the musical pioneers who came before him.
"Because Macon used to be one of the stops as an artist that you had to come to. Macon with Otis Redding and Little Richard back in the day with James Brown,” he said.
It all adds to the pride he feels for his hometown.
“If you’re from Macon say you’re from Macon. Be proud. Not saying you have to stay here forever," Styles said. "Not saying you have to live here and make a living. If you’re from here be proud to say you’re from Macon.”
You can read the full lyrics here as provided by CMD Styles:
Come down to My City
Walk around in My City
Good Times I’m My City
( 2 times)
Let’s walk around the city where Otis from
Where Little Richard was born, the Allman Brothers sung
Remember where Phil Walden started Capricorn
We love Macon music here
We’re Macon more to come
From chart toppers to Pinetoppers, we’re Macon hits
Let Blue Moon or Bingo Long throw out the first pitch
At Carol Crayton Park, in March one blink
Them Cherry Blossoms be Macon my whole city Pink
From Pancakes to Poodles and everything between, now that’s 'My Kinda Party' Jason Aldean
The Summer Haze is Hot
but Macon Knights are chill
At Washington Park or posted up on Coleman Hill
We’re Macon Mayhem at the Hay House and right there y’all, a house hit by a cannonball and didn’t even fall
Sidney wrote poetry a few blocks away
A great place to Visit, but a better place to stay.
I love My City
Come down to My City
Walk around in My City
Good Times I’m My City
( 2 times)
This walking is Macon me hungry now
I’m leaving Tattnall Square
Headed to the Douglass Theatre with a Mercer Bear
Now we’re at H & H
Macon Bacon on my plate
Everybody bow your head let
Nancy say the Grace
A Nu-Way hotdog
I used to sit where Oprah sat
Sipping on Wet Willies Macon me feel fat
I need to walk it off so I’m headed across town
Loose a couple of pounds walking around Ocmulgee Mounds
I’m headed up the hill, still walking
I’m at the birthplace of Macon called
Fort Hawkins
Second Street bridge now so don’t you get lost
The flood of ‘94 the only bridge we could get across
Remember helping each other
Macon a difference
Macon new friends while we were
Macon the right decisions
Macon each other smile
Macon the city better
Macon the type of memories that’ll last forever
No matter how far I roam
All I think about is Macon it home
(2 times)
Oh yeah I am from the city where you will find plenty to do
Macon your dreams come true
You see I boast about my city
So you can call this a
Bragg Jam
This right here is
History in the Macon man…
Love My City
Come down to My City
Walk around in My City
Good Times I’m My City
( 2 times)