Otis Redding Way Dedicated in Downtown Macon on Soul Legend’s 85th Birthday

MACON, Ga. – Macon-Bibb County has officially dedicated a section of downtown as Otis Redding Way, honoring the legendary soul singer on what would have been his 85th birthday.

Family members, friends, residents and community leaders gathered Sept. 9 at the Otis Redding Center for the Arts for the dedication and unveiling of the new street signs.

Otis Redding Way covers Cotton Avenue between First Street and Mulberry Street Lane, along with Mulberry Street Lane between Cotton Avenue and Second Street.

The location places Redding’s name near the Otis Redding Center for the Arts and only a short distance from where his office once stood.

“Just think about the mark that he left,” Mayor Lester Miller said. “His legacy is all around us, in our music, our culture, and in the generations that continue to be inspired by him.”

Redding’s grandson, Justin Andrews, spoke about seeing the community continue to honor his grandfather decades after his death.

“As I stand here and look out, being the grandson and seeing the admiration that everybody had for my grandfather is something always chokes me up,” Andrews said. “Thank you all so much for your love of my family and what we continue to do for the youth in Central Georgia.”

Redding was born Sept. 9, 1941, and became one of soul music’s most influential performers, recording songs including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Try a Little Tenderness” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.” His career was cut short when he died in a plane crash in 1967 at age 26.

His daughter, Karla Redding-Andrews, vice president of the Otis Redding Foundation, said the location of the street dedication carries particular significance for the family.

“As we continue to cement my dad’s musical and philanthropic legacy, this street dedication only a few feet from where his office was is very symbolic of his impact,” she said.

The Otis Redding Center for the Arts continues the family’s work in Macon by providing young people opportunities in music and the arts.

The new street designation adds another permanent tribute to Redding in the city where he built his career and developed his connection to the Central Georgia music community.