Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1536125
32 maconmagazine.com | June/July 2025 of Otis Redding and their continued commitment to education and the arts." Redding-Andrews acknowledged that a bigger facility brings bigger challenges, but she said ORCA doesn't face them alone. "Mom and Dad put so much into the community and the world, and it feels so good that we can continue what they were doing 50 or more years ago with the camps and helping students," she said. "It's come to be not just a Macon thing, not just a Georgia thing, it's a worldwide, international thing that we get to show people. We're reaching an audience that's bigger than we ever thought, and we know there are so many in on it with us. "We hear from people and organizations who respect Dad's music. We've been able to place interns in some of the biggest music companies out there and we have some of the biggest names in music and the arts dropping in to see us and to work with the kids. We cherish these relationships and what they bring to our students, and don't ever want to abuse them as just a photo opportunity or something." See it and support! Get involved in ORCA by joining the mailing list for updates at orcamacon.org While she was guarded about naming names, it's known that famed guitarist Slash has visited. She also referred to an unnamed Hollywood star who surprised the staff with a gift. "He's a big, big star, but as a hobby he likes to DJ," she said. "He came and saw we didn't have DJ equipment here for students, and thought we should, so he gave it to us. Nothing is out of the question for the future. I got a nice note from a recording artist out of Atlanta who also does some philanthropy in music and arts education. They said we needed to partner," Redding-Andrews explained. "I know we have an army here and all over who should be willing to help. Some are well-known, successful people who, you know, are where they are at least partially off Dad's coattails. But there's also the army of former Otis Music Camp and Dream Camp campers who know and love what happens here and come back each year to volunteer and teach. They know we're here for them and they're here for us." Though Otis Redding made an unprecedented impact on the music world as the King of Soul in the 1960s and died far too young, you can't help but wonder what his thoughts would be today walking along Cotton Avenue, seeing the Otis Redding Center for the Arts rising distinctively in the skyline, young people streaming in. His presence in Macon, decades later, is stronger than ever. Thanks to his family, friends and community, his legacy lives not only in sound – but in sights, space, and soul. ABOVE The legacy of Otis Redding is proudly displayed at ORCA through these album certifications, at left Redding and Redding- Andrews pose with Steve and Lynda Daugherty.