Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1233225
4 8 MACONMAGAZINE.COM | D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 my dad said, 'Paint around Jessica's graffiti.' So, one day I'll be able to show my son, Walden, where Mommy drew a unicorn on the wall when she was little and daydreaming about something bigger. I love how much consideration they've given to art with this redesign. This studio has so much soul, and it's top of the line all the way – it really shows what visionaries Capricorn were." Alan Walden, Jessica's father and Capricorn co-founder, is best known for his music management savvy, but his daughter saw him playing another understated yet deeply important role. He lived and worked in the half of the Capricorn building that he owned, up until the year 2000. "Dad, to me, was the last bastion of downtown," Walden says. "He lived in that little loft – we called it 'Funky Broadway' (after its address at the time, 548 Broadway) – when nobody else would come downtown. He threw parties, had bands in there rehearsing and recording. He was basically doing a version of what's about to happen in there, but in his own way. I saw him there, holding up this torch of hope that the music scene in Macon wasn't over, that downtown wasn't over. That kind of stubbornness really inspired me to love downtown and that building. Seeing his determination let me know that Macon's story isn't done yet. And he is just tickled with everything that's happening here." Alan Walden agrees and says the building is like part of their family. "It's been like part of our family for years, and I am thrilled there'll be a working studio in the building again. That room was my brother's baby, and it would've been such a shame for it to be demolished," Alan Walden said. "Macon has such a rich musical history, and I'd love to see it keep going. People like to say there must be something in the water here that grows all this creativity, but believe me, it's much more than that – it takes hard work. But creatives are attracted to Macon. ... The Southern atmosphere helped us a great deal because we have great hospitality in our city, and people grow to love it." Macon certainly has a lot to be proud of, and this project opens the doors for an exciting resurgence of artistic creativity. By finally treating this aspect of our fascinating, unique music history like the treasure it is while simultaneously creating space to nurture and inspire our current musical talent, we're taking charge of our story and working to ensure progress. To modify a line made famous by another renowned Georgia musician PEYTON ANDERSON "THAT ROOM (STUDIO A) IS PERFECT. DON'T MESS IT UP." - GREGG ALLMAN Congratulations to Mercer Music at Capricorn for the Historic Re-Launch of Capricorn Sound Studios PEYTONANDERSON.ORG