rock candy tour macon ga

Rock, roll and stroll through our legendary and notorious music history

Macon, Georgia

See the homes, offices, crash pads and favorite haunts of some of southern music’s most legendary players as well as the backstage cast of characters who played a crucial role in their catapult to fame..

WALKING AND RIDING TOURS

Go behind the beer at four local breweries and experience flight after flight of Macon’s proudly made brews.

Feast on music history with tales and tastings from seven of Macon’s most rock n’ roll restaurants.

MUSIC TOURS

See the homes, offices, studios, crash pads and favorite haunts of southern music’s most legendary players, as well as the backstage cast of characters who played a crucial role in their catapult to fame.

GHOST TOURS

Get spooked with the ghastly, ghostly and as southern gothic as it gets stories from the macabre history of Downtown Macon’s businesses and nightlife.

 Advanced reservations are required on all tours. Rock Candy Tours offers public, private and customized guided tours of Macon’s music history and other special interests. We run this business with a passion and appreciation for the city we’re proud to call home! 

Let us show you around town.

Tour, explore and experience ALL that Macon, Georgia’s rich music heritage has to offer. Rock Candy Tours is proud to partner with Visit Macon . Check out the Macon Music Trail , a comprehensive website that serves as an online resource and directory of Macon’s local music history, current scene and tourism opportunities. 

Contact us for “Rock Candy Tours Recommends,” our personally curated list of accompanying accommodations, restaurants, retailers and activities to compliment your tour reservation.  

Signup for the RockCandyGram

Get the latest news on tours, Macon music history and Rock Candy Tours recommendations, delivered directly to your inbox. 

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

This Is My South

A travel guide to the Southern USA

Music Tours of Macon with Rock Candy Tours

April 18, 2016 By Caroline Eubanks 1 Comment

Visiting Maco n, Georgia is an important stop for any music lovers traveling through the region. The seemingly small town played a large role in Southern rock, soul, and other genres from the 1950s to today. In order to teach visitors about the music scene in Macon, a husband and wife duo formed Rock Candy Tours .

The name is a nod to Jamie Weatherford’s family-owned candy business and Jessica Walden’s connection to record labels through her father and uncle. After the Georgia Music Hall of Fame closed in 2011, the couple wanted another way for visitors to learn about the significance of Macon to popular music. The company now runs tours on Friday nights and Saturday mornings, each with something different for guests to experience.

The History of Georgia Music in Macon

The story of Macon music starts in the 1950s with Little Richard , an eccentric local musician who got his start singing in church. Fellow Georgia native James Brown also lived in the city for a few years, but it was Otis Redding that perhaps is still the most recognized here.

He found his start at local talent shows before meeting a friend that would change his life. In 1958, Phil Walden and Bobby Wallace opened a booking agency and the next year Phil became Otis’ manager. The relationship would continue until Redding’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1967. 

Over the years, they booked acts that included Redding, Ike and Tina, Percy Sledge, and Al Greene. Redding and Walden were partners, which was almost unheard of during that time for white and black men in Macon.

Capricorn Records is Born

Phil’s brother Alan got a taste for the industry when he ran the business while Phil was in the army. The Walden Brothers and Frank Fenter joined forces in 1969 to create Capricorn Records. After hearing his work, Phil bought Duane Allman out of his FAME recording contract to make him a star.

The Allman Brothers Band became just one of many bands signed to the label, which also handled studio, booking, music publishing, merchandise, travel arrangements, and, of course, liquor sales. Capricorn’s roster also included The Marshall Tucker Band, but Alan left the label soon after its creation to create Hustlers Inc. and manage Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Outlaws.

Still reeling from Redding’s death in 1967, tragedy struck Phil again in 1971 when Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. Berry Oakley soon followed in another crash. In 1979, the company went bankrupt and many of its belongings went up for public auction.

The buildings that housed the offices and recording studios were sold or sat vacant. The 1980s saw a change in the styles of music that were popular, so Phil moved to Nashville and managed the career of Jim Varney.

The Second Wave of Macon Music

In 1991, Phil launched a second wave of Capricorn Records, signing Athens -based Widespread Panic. The roster grew to include Cake, 311, and Gov’t Mule, but the label all but ended in 1996 with much of the catalog being sold in 2000.

Despite the change of the sound in Macon from Southern rock to NuWave, the 1980s brought acts like The Police, Debbie Harry, Flock of Seagulls, and Ian Copeland to the city. Macon residents Mike Mills and Bill Berry lived here before moving to Athens, where they met Peter Buck and Michael Stipe to form R.E.M.

Today, you can see the Robert McDuffie School of Music, named for the violinist who grew up with Mike Mills, where both were church choir members. You can see where country music artist Jason Aldean filmed a music video. See live music at Grant’s Lounge and the Cox Capitol Theatre, both of which have hosted famous performers.

What to Expect from Rock Candy Tours

Among the landmarks you’ll see between Friday and Saturday tours, which you can do both if you like, are below:

• The corner where a Jason Aldean music video was filmed
• Otis Redding Foundation
• H&H Restaurant
• Macon Auditorium
• Houses where members of the Allman Brothers Band lived

The Free Birds and Night Owls tour runs on Friday nights and leaves from The Rookery and end at Grant’s Lounge. Saturday’s Intown Rock N’ Stroll tours start and end at H&H Restaurant . Tours cost $10-15 for standard tours and extra for private tours, bus tours, and add-ons to Rose Hill.

I was hosted on both my Friday and Saturday tours with Rock Candy Tours. 

About Caroline Eubanks

Caroline Eubanks is the editor of this website, a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States. Her stories from the South have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Thrillist, Roads and Kingdoms, and BBC Travel.

Reader Interactions

July 18, 2022 at 2:20 pm

Caroline, I recently met at man named Bobby Wallace at the Wellness Center. Bobby walks with a cane and appears a bit frail, though he walks in the Pool regularly wearing a red Baseball cap with the letter ‘B’. When asked he confirmed his favorite team was the Boston Red Sox. When I asked if he was from Massachusetts ( my birth State), he laughed and said he had lived in Macon his entire life. Later, as I was leaving the Wellness Center, I mentioned to people at the Front Desk about Bobby. People seem to believe he was a Musician and had been involved with the Music Industry for a major part of his life. Can you tell me any more about this lovely mam? Thank you, Neil Cullinan ( age 81. Have lived in Macon close to 50 years)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

This Is My South is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees at no cost to the consumer by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For further information, visit our Privacy Policy page.

This site is managed by Reggio Digital .

• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

• Otis Redding
• The Allman Brothers Band
• Little Richard
• Capricorn Studios
• Macon Music Today
• Boutiques & BnBs
• Camping & RV
• Ocmulgee Mounds
• Lake Tobesofkee
• Kayaking, Canoeing, & Tubing
• Live Music & Nightlife
• Arts & Culture
• History & Architecture
• Orchards & Farms
• Parks & Trails
• This Weekend
• Annual Events & Festivals
• Sports Events
• Concerts & Live Music
• Film, Theater and the Performing Arts
• Farmers Markets
• Submit Your Event
• Fine Dining
• Farm-to-Table
• Bars, Pubs and Breweries
• Breakfast and Brunch
• Coffee & Sweets
• Transportation
• Tours & Trip Ideas
• Visitor Center
• Free Travel Guide
• E-Newsletter Sign-Up
• Colleges and Universities

Rock Candy Tours’ “Macon Music Live: Origins” Presented by Macon200 and Visit Macon

Experience a guided journey through Macon, Georgia’s musical origins as the hometown of legendary musicians and the Birthplace of Southern Rock on stage! A talented cast of musicians and actors return with a new collision of music, history, performance and entertainment with Rock Candy Tours’ “Macon Music Live: Origins.”

This experience – presented by Macon200 and Visit Macon – will run Thursday, February 22 through Sunday, February 25, 2024 at The Capitol Theatre (382 2nd Street, Macon, GA 31201). Ticket prices start at $20 for regularly priced balcony seating and $15 for Seniors 65+, active duty or retired military, children, and students (ages 23 & under with a student ID). Or, floor seating for $30 per person ($25 for Seniors 65+, active duty or retired military, children, and students (ages 23 & under with a student ID). Available for purchase at capitoltheatremacon.com. A full performance schedule is below (with ticket links for each night): Thursday, February 22 : Doors open at 6:30pm, Show at 7:30pm Friday, February 23 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm Sunday, February 25 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm A live musical concert by the Macon Music Revue, presented by Grant's Lounge and 100.9 The Creek, will follow each performance. “Macon Music Live: Origins” is a compilations of stories highlighting Macon’s musical heritage featuring the stories of Lucille Hagaman, Little Richard, Hamp Swain, Otis Redding, Phil Walden, Alan Walden, James Brown and Ann Howard of Ann’s TicToc Lounge performed by seven local actors/performers: Anthony Ennis, Charles Davis, Chomoya Faulk, Jim Montgomery, Roger “Christian” Walden, Saralyn Collins, and Trajan Clayton. Directed by Jim Crisp, written & conceived by Jessica Walden, and produced by Rock Candy Tours. The concept for this musical experiment began after Jessica Walden was inspired by Georgia’s original folk life, “Swamp Gravy,” a staple in Colquitt/Miller County, Georgia. Combining storytelling and the deep rooted history of various musical genres, public figures, stories that created Macon and contributed to American music history as we know it – Walden quickly brought the idea to life on stage in Macon. Residents may remember a performance in 2018 held at the then open TicToc Lounge on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Those initial performances sold out. “We have been wanting to revive the spirit of these initial performances, but to do it right with a new venue, a larger production and a larger pool of talent, it took time. After receiving a grant from the American Rescue Funds, Macon200 and VIsit Macon, we have built it into a spectacularly entertaining and exciting performance, ready to share Macon’s story with everyone!” explained Jamie Weatherford, co-owner of Rock Candy Tours. “Doors will open an hour early with modern Macon music beforehand. Performance will last about 45 minutes followed by a special performance by the Macon Music Revue (45 minute to an hour). Being at the Capitol Theatre allows us to have a full bar as well. We hope to see everyone there enjoying a chance to mingle and engage with the performers and learn a little about just how special the story of Macon is!” For more information, please email [email protected] or visit visitmacon.org . ### About Visit Macon: The mission of Visit Macon is to unify and lead our community in marketing the Macon-Bibb County area as a superior visitor and meeting destination. Visit Macon promotes Macon, Georgia to travel writers, meeting planners, group tour operators and leisure travelers in an effort to bring people and revenues into the community and area businesses. visitmacon.org About Rock Candy Tours: Rock Candy Tours offers regular music history tours, plus a variety of private tour and specialty tour opportunities. Speciality tours explore Macon’s food, haunted history and beer brewing scene, while seasonal tours can be customized for private tour groups, year-round, with advance planning. Walking tours are conducted on wheelchair accessible sidewalks or via riding tours in the Visit Macon van. Guides are also available to “step-on” your vehicle or bus for customized private tours.

This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. Learn More

Experience Builder

Quick search, location map.

Rock Candy Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Rock Candy Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Macon's musical roots come to life: Rock Candy Tours present 'Macon Music Live: Origins'

by BRANDON MCGOUIRK | WGXA News

MACON, Ga. (WGXA) -- Macon 200 and Visit Macon are teaming up for a guided tour through Macon's rock origins live and on-stage.

Rock Candy Tours' "Macon Music Live: Origins" is a collection of performances highlighting the city's rock 'n roll roots, featuring stories about Little Richard, Otis Redding, Phil and Alan Walden, James Brown, and many others.

Written and conceived by Jessica Walden, director Jim Crisp will bring to life the stories of the music and public figures that make up Macon's history and contributed to American music as we know it.

“We have been wanting to revive the spirit of these initial performances, but to do it right with a new venue, a larger production and a larger pool of talent, it took time," said Rock Candy Tours Co-Owner Jamie Weatherford. "After receiving a grant from the American Rescue Funds, Macon200 and VIsit Macon, we have built it into a spectacularly entertaining and exciting performance, ready to share Macon’s story with everyone!”

A full performance schedule is below (with ticket links for each night):

- Thursday, February 22 : Doors open at 6:30pm, Show at 7:30pm

- Friday, February 23 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

- Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm

- Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

- Sunday, February 25 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm

A live concert by the Macon Music Revue, presented by Grant's Lounge and 100.9 The Creek, will follow each performance and doors open an hour early with modern Macon artists to open each show.

• Direct Connect

• goBeyondProfit

Local Communities    Albany    Athens    Atlanta    Augusta    Columbus    Gainesville    LaGrange    Newnan    Rome    Savannah    Tifton    Valdosta   

Home › News › Feb 2024

Rock Candy Tours’ “Macon Music Live: Origins” Presented by Macon200 and Visit Macon

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

Experience a guided journey through Macon, Georgia’s musical origins as the hometown of legendary musicians and the Birthplace of Southern Rock on stage! A talented cast of musicians and actors return with a new collision of music, history, performance and entertainment with Rock Candy Tours’ “Macon Music Live: Origins.” 

This experience – presented by Macon200 and Visit Macon – will run Thursday, February 22 through Sunday, February 25, 2024 at The Capitol Theatre (382 2nd Street, Macon, GA 31201).  Ticket prices start at $20 for regularly priced balcony seating and $15 for Seniors 65+, active duty or retired military, children, and students (ages 23 & under with a student ID). Or, floor seating for $30 per person ($25 for Seniors 65+, active duty or retired military, children, and students (ages 23 & under with a student ID). Available for purchase at capitoltheatremacon.com . 

A full performance schedule is below (with ticket links for each night):

Thursday, February 22 : Doors open at 6:30pm, Show at 7:30pm

Friday, February 23 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm

Saturday, February 24 : Doors open at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

Sunday, February 25 : Doors open at 1:30pm, Show at 2:30pm 

A live musical concert by the Macon Music Revue, presented by Grant's Lounge and 100.9 The Creek, will follow each performance.

“Macon Music Live: Origins” is a compilations of stories highlighting Macon’s musical heritage featuring the stories of Lucille Hagaman, Little Richard, Hamp Swain, Otis Redding, Phil Walden, Alan Walden, James Brown and Ann Howard of Ann’s TicToc Lounge performed by seven local actors/performers: Anthony Ennis, Charles Davis, Chomoya Faulk, Jim Montgomery, Roger “Christian” Walden, Saralyn Collins, and Trajan Clayton. 

Directed by Jim Crisp, written & conceived by Jessica Walden, and produced by Rock Candy Tours.

The concept for this musical experiment began after Jessica Walden was inspired by Georgia’s original folk life, “Swamp Gravy,” a staple in Colquitt/Miller County, Georgia. Combining storytelling and the deep rooted history of various musical genres, public figures, stories that created Macon and contributed to American music history as we know it – Walden quickly brought the idea to life on stage in Macon. Residents may remember a performance in 2018 held at the then open TicToc Lounge on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.  Those initial performances sold out. 

“We have been wanting to revive the spirit of these initial performances, but to do it right with a new venue, a larger production and a larger pool of talent, it took time. After receiving a grant from the American Rescue Funds, Macon200 and VIsit Macon, we have built it into a spectacularly entertaining and exciting performance, ready to share Macon’s story with everyone!” explained Jamie Weatherford, co-owner of Rock Candy Tours.  

“Doors will open an hour early. Performance will last about 45 minutes followed by a special performance by the Macon Music Revue (45 minute to an hour).  Being at the Capitol Theatre allows us to have a full bar as well.  We hope to see everyone there enjoying a chance to mingle and engage with the performers and learn a little about just how special the story of Macon is!” 

For more information, please email [email protected] or visit visitmacon.org .

Get the Daily Middle Georgia CEO Briefing

The Middle Georgia CEO Briefing is a daily email newsletter that contains the day’s top business news headlines and a summary of each day’s feature. Subscribe Today .

About Middle Georgia CEO

Middle Georgia CEO is a daily publication that focuses exclusively on business issues in Middle Georgia. We invite you to learn more about how to expose your business to others in the community. Contact us today to receive more information about editorial, video and promotional exposure at Middle Georgia CEO.

Middle Georgia CEO is part of the Georgia CEO Network which includes newswires, newsletters, databases and local web sites in cities across Georgia: Albany , Athens , Atlanta , Augusta , Columbus , Gainesville , LaGrange , Middle Georgia , Newnan , Rome , Savannah , Tifton , and Valdosta .

Copyright © 2024 Middle Georgia CEO. All rights reserved. Terms & Privacy .

Rock Candy Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

ROCK CANDY TOURS (Macon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)