Redding to put heart and soul into Cairo youth

Not too late
to buy tickets
for Nov. 5 concert

A Georgia son of soul royalty said he is looking forward to sharing his music with south Georgians next week while helping the kids of the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club of Cairo and Grady County. Otis Redding III, promises to perform some of his father’s music during his concert for Diamond Affair presented by Koyo Bearings, Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Cairo High School Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.
Redding said soul music attracts many fans, and he is already hearing from many who plan to travel to Cairo for the concert. “It’s for a good cause, and a lot of people are excited about it,” he said.
Tickets, $25, are available now online, and at the Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce or Capital City Bank.
Although initial plans were for Redding to perform with local amateur musicians in the interest of cost savings, he said professional friends have asked if they can help. “When people hear you’re doing something for the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club, they want to pitch in and give a hand and I thought that was really cool,” he said.
The local musicians will still be a part of the program, Redding said, “We’ll have a nice music set and have some fun.” The Cairo musicians include 9th grader Destinee Hart along with Rebecca Collins on vocals, and instrumentalists Patrick Ballew, Brad Moore and Adam Starr.
Another name familiar to south Georgians will be on stage as emcee. Karla Heath-Sands of WALB-TV will host the evening on behalf of the local Boys and Girls Club.
Redding, whose father’s most famous song is “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of The Bay,” says one of the songs he plans to perform in Cairo is “Dreams to Remember.” In a telephone interview Monday, he said, “People love ‘Dock of the Bay,’ but I guess ‘Dreams to Remember’ is my favorite song. I guess because my mother actually wrote the song, and when my father came off the road she showed it to him and he took the words and he turned it into a soul song.” Redding said he will likely perform the song while playing guitar.
Some of his father’s other popular songs included “Try A Little Tenderness,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” “Respect,” “Pain In My Heart,” ”These Arms of Mine,” and “Satisfaction.”
Redding keeps his father’s music alive around the globe traveling often to perform in both the United States and Europe. “I play quite a bit, just as much as I want to,” he said.
When he’s not performing, Redding said he is working with his family’s philanthropic organization, The Otis Redding Foundation. He said he especially likes to support kids. “Anything to do with kids today, if you can take a moment to tell them something positive and tell them something good. . .give them some positive hope to motivate them not to let up. . .also to let them know about the ups and the downs,” Redding said that is helpful.
The musician and philanthropist said he is looking forward to meeting the children who attend the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club. Redding said he is excited about establishing a continued relationship with the club and he hopes to give free voice and guitar lessons to some of the kids. He said it would be an extension of the work done by The Otis Redding Foundation, which hosts an annual singer/songwriter camp. “It’s one good Foundation complimenting another one,” Redding said of his interest in supporting the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club.
For more information on the 3rd Annual Diamond Affair, go to www.mnw-bgc.org or call 229-228-5155.