MACON, Ga. — Macon is branded as a city "Where Soul Lives."
June commemorates Black Music Month, and Visit Macon is organizing van tours to explore the sights and sounds of musicians who were molded in Macon.
The tours are happening on June 21 and June 22 to showcase Macon's African American Music Experience, including artists like Otis Redding, Little Richard and James Brown.
This covers the rich history of these musical legends who have called this town home.
Janice Habersham is Visit Macon's tour guide. She says her musical praises about Macon's musical background and has a passion for sharing her culture.
"Macon is in the center of Georgia and years ago it was the mecca for people coming to the city to play and hear music," Habersham said.
The van tour takes you around the downtown area and stops at places to recognize artists and musicians who have impacted Macon's culture and community.
The iconic Otis Redding Museum and Foundation and the legendary Douglass Theatre are part of the tour.
You can be transported through time and explore stories and places that have shaped Macon's music scene.
"We brought our music and our rhythm and our spirituality from Africa through the middle passage and we made a definite impact on this country and the music," Habersham said. "A lot of times I've done tours with locals and they say 'You know what, I didn't know all this was happening' and that was very informative even to the people that have been raised right here in Macon we give out information and share things that they've never heard before so I recommend it."
Naomi Peterson is the visitor services manager for Visit Macon.
"It goes all the way back so we wanted to tell that story," Peterson said. "We collaborated and partnered with some of the attractions here in Macon to tell that story."
Peterson says we have an interwoven musical history here in Macon that goes back to the 20th century, and she cannot wait to share it with others.
"The African American music experience gives you that understanding of why it's so important to keep the stories flowing," Peterson said. "Some of these artists and these wonderful people we don't talk about them enough."
Tours start at the Visitor Center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and are $25 per person.
For more information about the tour and ways to reserve your spot, you can contact Visit Macon's Visitor Center at (478) 743-1074 or their website at www.VisitMacon.org.