(Mrs. Zelma redding and dewayne owens jr. Winner of the 70th celebration art competition displaying his artwork.)

Dreams have come true for several high school students in Bibb County.  The Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation partnered with State Bank to bring its Visual Art Contest to the Tubman Museum.  Beautiful artwork was rendered by students from all across the Bibb County School System.  The contest was just one of many activities planned to celebrate the 70^th birthday of Macon native and music legend Otis Redding.

“Otis Redding was dedicated to improving the quality of life four our community through education and empowerment of its youth.  With the Big ‘O’ Youth Educational Dream Foundation’s Otis Redding Visual Art Contest, we honor his life by fulfilling his dream,” said Coordinator, Renita Patterson.

Renderings were judged by Bobby Dickey, Director of Fine Arts at Fort Valley State University; Alex Habersham, Publisher, Macon Black Pages; Rose Lane Leavell and Mrs. Zelma Redding.

Four students were awarded savings bonds and one grand prize winner walked away with a scholarship.  Maddison Daniels of Rutland High School received honorable mention.  Third place went to Bailey Vincent of Westside High School.  Receiving second place was Audra Weston also of Westside High School.  First place went to Westside High School’s Ashley Patton.

The Zelma Redding Merit Scholar is reserved for a graduating high school senior. This year’s scholarship recipient is Dwanye Owens of Westside High School.  “We are honored to partner with the Big ‘O’ Youth Educational Dream Foundation to provide the Zelma Redding Merit Scholarship,” said Dan Forrester, Executive Vice President, State Bank.

The students’ work was on display at the Tubman Museum through September 30.  The Tubman Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information on the museum, current exhibits or to book at tour, please contact the Tubman Museum at (478) 743-8544 or visit www.tubmanmuseum.com.

Ranked #8 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list, Redding amassed a string of classic songs including “(Sittin On), The Dock of the Bay, I‘ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Satisfaction,” “Try A Little Tenderness,” and “Respect,” before his untimely death in 1967.  Redding and members of the Bar-Kays, his touring band at the time, were tragically killed in a plane crash while enroute to a concert in Madison, Wisconsin.

Although he was only 26 years old at the time of his death, Redding had already released numerous hit songs and albums and become a successful performer, songwriter, producer and businessman. Recorded just three days before the plane crash, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” became his 17^th straight hit and first million-seller and remains one of his most popular songs.

The strong impact that Otis Redding made on popular culture remains evident from the countless films, television shows and commercials that his songs can be heard in and from the major influence he has had on superstar artists such as Rod Stewart who told People magazine, “I always felt Otis was singing just for me. That is a hallmark of a good singer.”

Redding’s legacy continues to grow via numerous honors that have been bestowed upon him posthumously, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an art exhibit entitled Otis Redding: I’ve Got Dreams to Remember that was commissioned in his honor and a documentary, Dreams to Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding, which was released in 2007.

His memory and contributions are also kept alive through the work of his widow Zelma and their children, who established the Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation to empower and educate children through the arts, which was a personal mission of Redding’s.

It wasn’t supposed to end the way it did Dec. 10, 1967.

After all, he was only 26 years old. He had a family with young children. He had a wife and managers who considered him their soul mate. He was just beginning to ascend to the top of the world and had rabid fans in Europe, the United States and of course, his hometown of Macon to take with him. And he had this song, “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” just laid down in the studio that he couldn’t get out of his head.

But according to him, he had to go. He had a job to do, even if the weather conditions were questionable for flying. The fans were waiting for him up north in Ohio and Wisconsin.

Forty-three years later, there are many of us who never knew Otis Redding but still wonder why he is not here. Or what it would be like if he was still here. We never got the chance to witness that 40-watt smile and hip-shaking soul in person, but we feel something we just can’t explain every time his lyrics get into our gut.

Who was this giant of a man? Who was this powerhouse who sings “Merry Christmas, Baby,” in a way that can melt the snow off the most frigid heart? Who was the man behind the “Love Man,” “Mr. Pitiful” and the self-assured lover in “Tramp” who can still make young girls swoon and old men dance? Who was the one who romanced millions of hearts with “These Arms of Mine” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)”?

Who he was is Macon’s son.

Today is the day the plane went down. And today is the day we have dreams to remember. But let’s try something different than just reflecting on the life and legacy of Otis Redding. In memory of this great person, even if it’s just today, let’s “Try a Little Tenderness.”

There are children in this community who don’t believe in Santa Claus because they’ve never had a hero to believe in. There are elderly who are forgotten and the sick who just need a gentle touch. People are cold. Families are hungry. Let’s try a little tenderness.

Check out the great work the Redding family is doing through the Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation to continue the legacy and instill a little tenderness in the budding musicians of today.

And look within your own home — at your own weary loved one — and pay attention to the gospel of Otis Redding. Hold her. Squeeze her. Never leave her. Now get to her. We can keep peace in our families. We’ve just gotta, gotta try a little tenderness.

Jessica Walden is the director of communications for the College Hill Alliance and a member of the Bragg Jam board of directors.

It’s only because of YOUR support that we are able to continue providing educational & enlightening opportunities for our leaders of tomorrow.

CLICK HERE to make your donation today.

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/theperfectlife.mp3|titles=Jarred Andrews with Chris Nylund & Adam Gorman - The Perfect Life]
Jarred Andrews with Chris Nylund & Adam Gorman – The Perfect Life

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/thefunnyhealthysong.mp3|titles=DeAndre Fordham - The Funny Healthy Song]
DeAndre Fordham – The Funny Healthy Song

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/nochoice.mp3|titles=Janelle Moats with Chris Nylund - No Choice]
Janelle Moats with Chris Nylund – No Choice

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/lostinwar.mp3|titles=William "Will" Pounds with Carmen Collins - Lost In War]
William “Will” Pounds with Carmen Collins – Lost In War

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/lividconcepts.mp3|titles=Thomas Young - Livid Concepts]
Thomas Young – Livid Concepts

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/Giraffes.mp3|titles=Whitney James, Kayla Pippin, Mallory Greatbatch with Dusty McCook - Giraffes]
Whitney James, Kayla Pippin, Mallory Greatbatch with Dusty McCook – Giraffes

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/butterflies.mp3|titles=Imani Herring & Terra Stephens with Carmen Collins - Butterflies]
Imani Herring & Terra Stephens with Carmen Collins – Butterflies

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/girlofmydreams.mp3|titles=Izra'el Dubois - Girl Of My Dreams]
Izra’el Dubois – Girl Of My Dreams

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/thewayshesways.mp3|titles=Izra'el Dubois - The Way She Sways]
Izra’el Dubois – The Way She Sways

[audio:http://otisredding.com/wp-content/uploads/electriclady.mp3|titles=Dylan Guarino - Electric Lady]
Dylan Guarino – Electric Lady

3RD ANNUAL OTIS REDDING SINGER/SONGWRITER CAMP

JUNE 21 – 25, 2010

Presented by: The Big “O” Youth Educational Dream Foundation & The Georgia Music Hall of Fame

478.742-5737 or 478.751.3334 for more info.