Macon Music Revue

Overview

THE MUSIC
A self-described “preservation band,” Macon Music Revue celebrates the artists and songs associated with its namesake city. The five-piece group mines the catalogs of hometown heroes Little Richard and Otis Redding while also exploring the output of Capricorn Records. Between 1969 and 1979, the venerable Macon label and studio produced nine platinum and 17 gold albums by artists including The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels Band, Wet Willie, Sea Level, Swamp Dogg, Elvin Bishop and more. The Revue also puts its spin on cuts by James Brown, whose career kickstarted in Macon, as well as Atlanta Rhythm Section, whose lead singer—the late Ronnie Hammond—was a native Maconite, and R.E.M., whose drummer Bill Berry and bassist Mike Mills became best pals and early bandmates while attending Northeast High School. With more than 140 songs and counting, Macon Music Revue digs deep into Macon's significant musical inheritance.

THE BAND
The members of Macon Music Revue all grew up inspired by their city's soul and Southern Rock roots. The band's own mixed musical bloodline combines the powerful gospel and music theatre-honed vocals of Charles Davis, the exceptional blues/rock guitar and slide work of guitarist Dustin McCook, and the organ and piano of Ethan Hamlin, a classically trained player whose style draws from the influence of Macon keyboard legends Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell. The Revue’s locked-in rhythm section—drummer Caleb Melvin and bassist Evan Bentzel—embodies the laid-back groove that is a signature of the Macon sound and spirit.