Macon Magazine

Artistic collaboration plus love for Macon means a tailor-made Bicentennial Anthem BY CLARENCE W. THOMAS, JR. hen local businessman Alex Habersham – founder of the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages and co-chair of Macon-Bibb County's Bicentennial Committee – remembered how well-matched a local legendary hip-hop artist's ode to loving on Macon was for the community, sparks flew. Months later, the song's tailor-made recording for the Bicentennial Celebration debuted this June. The timely rollout coincides with Black Music Month. The month-long observance each June was initiated by President Jimmy Carter and introduced on June 7, 1979 to reflect urban environments through amplified sounds, social concerns, and cultural pride expressed through music. The song is called "I Love My City," written by CMD Styles, a musician, actor, and artist. Originally recorded in 2011 as a heartfelt positive expression of Macon, it met the ears of around 5,000 local listeners, including Habersham's, on YouTube. "I made the song to highlight the city and develop pride and love for Macon," said Styles. "If we can start loving our city, then we can stop negativity." In the original song and accompanying video, Styles takes listeners and viewers on a vocal and visual amusement ride through local landmarks, like historic Luther Williams Field, the Douglass Theatre, and Tattnall Square Park; while reminding folks that Macon is the launching pad of Otis Redding's career and home to signature events like the International Cherry Blossom Festival and Bragg Jam. Habersham says even without the bicentennial, residents still needed to hear "I Love My City." But a er considering the song's potential to be a social bridge builder and using music as a way of incorporating elements of the city's excellence during the yearlong celebration of Macon's 200th anniversary, he asked Styles about creating a new version. "It's a positive tune. I thought we should make it the official bicentennial song. While we acknowledge the past, we're working towards a better future. I love the song," Habersham shared. A er agreeing to remake the song, there were some hurdles to jump. This included sharing the news and getting blessings to proceed from the Macon-Bibb County Commission, Bicentennial Committee co-chair Wes Griffith, and the Bicentennial Committee. Everyone agreed to move forward, clearing the path for a new recording. Making modifications to "I Love My City" took place in March for about a month at Capricorn Sound Studios and included a host of other musicians and singers from across the local and national artistic landscape. But with Styles' producers Deonta "Krad" Gibson and Rob Evans helming the project, the revised version came together to everyone's delight. "The production of the new version showed the song's potential when [it was] released. It's a vibe that can bring people together in the streets," stated Styles. The new "I Love My City" premiered June 14, immediately before Juneteenth celebrations throughout the city. A big promotional campaign and free public launch party took place at The Capitol Theatre at 5 p.m. Habersham is ecstatic. He believes it will instantly appeal to all ages and backgrounds as it reaches across the historic and cultural divide here. "We are so excited about this," he exuberantly expressed. "Building a bridge can be done to cross any divide. When you've got positive elements like these, you add planks to get you across." Styles anticipates the song mirroring Macon's past as it educates listeners about where we are currently on the way towards a better future. "We've got to figure out how to peacefully coexist regardless of our differences," added Styles. "It begins with love. Love your city." Macon's 200-year celebration continues through December 31. Find out more by visiting macon200.com or facebook.com/macon200. W Join Macon200 to celebrate the bicentennial on the 200th day of the year! New campaign aims to raise money for Bicentennial Park ON JULY 19, which is the 200th day of the year, 200 for Macon200 aims to give everyone a chance to leave their legacy on Macon during our bicentennial celebration. The individual giving campaign will support the building of the Macon200 signature project, Bicentennial Park, with a $200 donation. The park will create new usable public space for Maconites to enjoy in the Mill Hill neighborhood of East Macon, in the area where the city was founded in 1823. The site is also near the Ocmulgee Mounds, where human habitation has existed for thousands of years, close to Macon's Coliseum and Convention Center, and nearby Macon's burgeoning downtown core. The July 19 kickoff will include a mass photo event inviting all Maconites at 10 a.m. in Rosa Parks Square, where we'll take a photo with drone footage in the shape of the number 200 and release a new video about Bicentennial Park. Donors will receive a limited- edition T-shirt exclusively for 200 for Macon200 donors. They'll also receive an invitation to the unveiling of the Bicentennial Park design to be the first in town to see what the park will look like, and receive a commemorative poster signed and numbered by one of 12 Macon-based artists, commissioned specifically for the bicentennial and featuring Macon history. To donate, go to the Community Foundation of Central Georgia at cfcga.org or visit macon200.com. JUNE/JULY 2023 | maconmagazine.com 61

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