Capricorn Studios

In the 1960s, booking agent and manager of soul artists Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, and Sam and Dave, Phil Walden, founded the Capricorn Records label named for his, and investor Jerry Wexler's (Vice President of Atlantic Records at the times) shared astrological sign. The studio was designed to compete with the intimate recording experience, state-of-the-art equipment and backing studio band of Stax Records of Memphis, Tennessee and FAME Studios of Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

When it came time to start recruiting talent, Phil Walden recruited guitarist, Duane Allman, who would go on to the Allman Brothers Band. That self-titled album, released in 1969 wasn't a best-seller, but critics praised their sound of blending country, blues, jazz, blues, and rock-n-roll. Their partnership would garner more chart-topping releases with albums Eat a Peach, At Fillmore East, Brothers and Sisters and Win Lose or Draw.

Between the years of 1969 and 1979, Capricorn produced nine platinum albums, seventeen gold albums, and five gold singles. Not just limited to the label’s own roster of artists, the studio opened its doors to a variety of musicians who recorded here, including Wet Willie, the Marshall Tucker Band, the Charlie Daniels Band, Percy Sledge, Bonnie Bramlett, Dexter and Otis Redding III and many more.

This record-making machine was once lost to time, but with the support of those who recorded within these hallowed halls, dedicated fans, and Mercer University, the former Capricorn Sound Studios has been fully restored as Mercer Music at Capricorn. On December 3, 2019, on the 50th anniversary of the original studio opening, the original studio space reopened.

The museum offers opportunities to revisit the bygone era while the sound studios continue to produce the next hits of tomorrow! According to Rolling Stone magazine: "The Museum at Capricorn interprets the history and impact of Capricorn Records and Capricorn Sound Studios in the context of Macon's rich music heritage. More than 1,200 square feet of artifacts, murals and interactive digital kiosks featuring music, video and text bring Capricorn's story to life."

Visitors can see historic artifacts and sort through Capricorn's discography with interactive kiosks (or digital record bins), as well as, tour the incredibly well-preserved, historic Studio A and the modernized Studio B which features intimate, live performances frequently. The museum is open Wednesday - Thursday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Today's artists like Southern Rock's Brent Cobb's Southern Star, Blackberry Smoke's Live From Capricorn Sound Studios, and Marcus King have all stepped inside the legendary Studio A and to record legendary hits of their own. Like modern roots & blues artists, Eddie 9V, who earned his first #1 Billboard blues album with Capricorn. These artists continue to find an unparalleled connection with the giants of their genre inside these magical walls.