Something in the Water…The Incredible, Influential Music of Georgia
From Coca-Cola to Spanx, many iconic products have originated in Georgia. What many people don't know is that much of the world's most influential music is rooted in Georgia as well. The Peach State's musical dynasty includes the Father of Gospel Music, Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey (Villa Rica); the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey (Columbus); a giant of the Great American Songbook, Johnny Mercer (Savannah); the Architect of Rock 'n' Roll, Little Richard Penniman (Macon); the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (Augusta); the Crown Prince of Soul, Otis Redding (Macon); the World's Greatest Party Band, the B-52s (Athens) and the band that Rolling Stone once called “American's Best Rock 'n' Roll Band,” R.E.M. (Athens).  

In the past 20 years, Atlanta's trendsetting hip-hop and urban scene has launched the careers of Outkast, Usher, TLC, Goodie Mob, Ludacris, CeeLo Green, Lil Jon, Young Jeezy, Ciara, Waka Flocka Flame and more. The country music charts would be empty were it not for Georgians including the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan (Leesburg); Jason Aldean (Macon); Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line (Monroe); Thomas Rhett (Valdosta); Sam Hunt (Cedartown); Cole Swindell (Glennville); Brantley Gilbert (Jefferson); Billy Currington (Rincon); Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland (Atlanta); Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum (Augusta); Zac Brown Band and incredibly, more.

There are Christian music chart-toppers (Third Day, Casting Crowns, Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, Laura Story); metal masters (Mastodon, Sevendust, Kylesa, Black Tusk); rock heavyweights (Allman Brothers Band, Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Drive-By Truckers) and indie darlings (Deerhunter, Black Lips, of Montreal, Torres). Classically speaking, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has earned 28 GRAMMY® awards, Augusta native and soprano Jessye Norman is internationally lauded as one of the finest living opera singers and recitalists and Rome, Georgia's young mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton is making her mark, including winning the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2013.

Maybe there is something in the water, but one thing's for sure. Georgia music is always on the minds of music lovers…whether they're aware of it or not!