Effort underway to recognize Macon’s musical past

Signs recognizing Macon’s musical history could be placed outside popular entertainment venues.

Historic Macon Foundation is proposing putting up the plaques as part of the “Historic Macon Music Registry” program. The three plaques would recognize the musical history at the City Auditorium and Douglass Theatre as well as honor the Rev. Pearly Brown, a blind gospel and blues musician who performed for years on Macon’s downtown streets.

A resolution asking the Macon-Bibb County Commission’s permission to display the plaques is expected to be voted upon at Tuesday’s committee meetings.

A plaque for Brown would be placed near the fountain in Third Street Park. The Douglass plaque would say “Macon’s Premier Historic Black Performance Venue” and the City Auditorium’s plaque would read mention performances from Middle Georgia legends Otis Redding, Allman Brothers and Little Richard.

“This program will include a comprehensive list of sites integral to Macon’s music history” the resolution said.

The music registry program is a partnership between Historic Macon and Rock Candy Tours, NewTown Macon, Community Foundation of Central Georgia and the Charles Cox Family Trust, which is funding the plaques, the resolution said.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Effort underway to recognize Macon’s musical past."