Georgia has helped raise some of the greatest talents in music including Otis Redding, Brenda Lee, Ma Rainey, Gladys Knight, Little Richard, and OutKast, to name just a few. (This list is by no means exhaustive!) As a result, the state has developed a rich culture in music that persists today – as explored in GPB’s Peach Jam Podcast. Many of these artists, influenced the music scene as well as pop culture around the world. In the American Masters documentary, Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Ringo Starr and Keith Richards of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, credit Little Richard with influencing their musical style (read a bit about the documentary here).   Across the state there are commemorative landmarks to honor the lives of these talented musicians and to recognize the impact they have had on the state, nation, and even the world. In Macon County, Georgia, a bronze life-sized statue of Otis Redding was erected in Gateway Park, right next-door to Otis Redding Memorial Bridge, to immortalize his legacy. The home of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey in Columbus, Georgia, has been restored and converted into the Ma Rainey Museum which explores the life and influence of Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues”. A section of State Route 9 was renamed after Gladys Knight in 2015 to honor her impact on the music industry. A 30-foot-high mural in the Little Five Points neighborhood depicts Andre 3000 and Big Boi, the members of the famous hip hop group OutKast. The music scene in Georgia is still alive today, with a variety of music clubs and concert venues.  

In 2019, GPB honored Brenda Lee by awarding her GPB’s inaugural Georgia Legend Award. GPB Celebrates Music Legend and Georgian Brenda Lee | Georgia Public Broadcasting