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Day One
Fly or drive in to Atlanta
Depart for Athens, Georgia - the home of REM, the B-52's, Drivin' and Cryin', Widespread Panic and many, many more.
Upon Arrival, meet and greet reception at hotel; start to soak in the vibrancy of this trend-setting college town that inspires creative energy.
Dinner tonight at the Hoyt House, an 1829 restored home now boasting eclectic Southern cuisine.
Just a stroll across the way takes you to The Melting Point, a sophisticated music venue with courageous charm, set in the restored Foundry where Athens' famous ironworks were cast and produced in the 1800s. Enjoy live entertainment "Blue Bird Café" style.
Day Two
Morning breakfast at hotel
Following breakfast - before we delve into Athens' musical past - we'll take a few moments to savor the morning with a jolt of locally brewed Jittery Joe's coffee. Witness first hand how your bean goes from field to cup as you marvel at the simplicity of the roasting process as well as the modest facility that serves the entire Southeast.
Next our tour takes us from Athens' unique Vaudeville days to the alternative rock that developed in the late '70s and early '80s. We will visit the very rare and lovingly restored Morton Theater, build in the early 1900s, and famous as a stop on the African-American vaudeville circuit on Hot Corner in Downtown Athens.
A groundbreaking studio with a dual purpose that is unique to Athens is our next stop; its mission is of support and as a resource center to Athens' entire music scene, serving as a focal point in the community for sustaining the city's music fame and heritage around the world. While visiting Nuci's Space we will enjoy a private catered meal by Weaver D's, Athens' alternative answer to Paula Deen. Weaver D's is not only famous for his down home "cookin'" (2007 James Beard winner of the "America's Classics" award) but is noted as the inspiration for REM's album title Automatic for the People. Next, we'll take a riding/walking tour of Downtown highlighting major clubs like the 40 Watt, Wuxtry Records - the record store where two founding members of REM worked - and the grass roots beginning of the "Athens Music Hall of Fame".
Mid afternoon for shopping (a must in Downtown Athens - the district was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and free time
Return to hotel to rest and relax before dinner
Dine around on your own at one of Athens many locally-owned restaurants; take your pick of award-winners and townie favorites.
Bark after dark tour with your guide; take in local tunes and learn why The New York Times calls Athens "Live Music Central."
Day Three
Breakfast at the hotel
Early departure for Macon Georgia
Your visit to the "Song & Soul of the South" will begin at the Convention & Visitors Bureau where a step on- guide will be waiting to greet your group and set the stage for what you have in store for you. We begin with a group photo of a life-sized statue of Otis Redding and then we are off to the Grand Opera House, which has been restored to its 1884 elegance. Following our visit to the Grand Opera House, we depart for the Douglas Theater, where legends like Otis Redding, Cab Calloway, Little Richard and many others performed during 1920's to 70's. For 20 years this theatre stood silent until Macon restored it in 1997.
No visit to Macon would be complete with out a visit to the Georgia Hall of Fame-See a star-studded array of entertainers from the "Godfather of Soul & The Architect of Rock-n-Roll" Little Richard, the "Father of Gospel Music" Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, "The Crown Prince of Pop" Otis Redding, to "the Father of Commercial Country Music" John Carson. From country legends to big band sounds and southern rock, Georgia's rich musical heritage comes to life inside this Georgia "Tune Town" where a perpetual music festival takes place everyday.
The Georgia Music Hall of Fame-will serve you a delightful Southern style lunch upstairs in the " Macon Room" overlooking the Grand Lobby.
Following Lunch we will tour -The Big House-we'll take time to visit this Tudor-style house where the Allman Brothers Band members lived, partied and wrote many of their great songs back in the early '70's. Owners, "Tour Mystic" have turned the first floor into a small museum with various artifacts such as Greg Allman's original B-3 organ, gold records and a collection of recordings. Open to the public at no charge from 1-5 pm daily. Tours by appointment.
Time permitting we will visit, Rosehill Cemetery-One of the earliest surviving public landscaped cemetery parks in the United States. Resting place for soldiers, governors, mayors, railroad men & rock stars including Dwayne Allman & Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band.
Return to the hotel to relax and refresh before dinner
Dinner tonight in a Premiere Restaurant downtown Macon
Day Four
Depart for a day trip to Albany Georgia, the hometown of Ray Charles and Ms. Paula Deen
Morning tour of the new memorial to Ray Charles. This is a state-of-the-art plaza and a must see when visiting Albany. Next our visit to Albany would not be complete without a visit to see the Freedom Singers. The Freedom Singers are wonderful and explain Albany's place in the Civil Rights Movement. They sing the spiritual songs and gospel songs that were sung while Martin Luther King was here. Also- there is one original Freedom Singer left here in Albany- Rutha Harris. They are a sight to see, not to mention the church where the museum is housed.
Lunch at a quaint local spot downtown that is sure to please
Following lunch we can't leave Albany without paying our respects to the birth place of Paula Deen. We'll get the skinny on Ms. Paula before she made it big.
Depart for Macon and return to hotel to relax and refresh before dinner.
Dinner tonight at ..........
Day Five
Breakfast at the hotel
Depart for Augusta Georgia
Lunch on your own on River Walk
Riding tour of downtown highlighting the life and work of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
Check in to your hotel
Dinner tonight at one of James Brown's favorite Dinner Spots.
Day Six
Breakfast at your hotel
Depart for beautiful Savannah Georgia
Lunch at the famous pirates House, where Ms. Emma Kelly, the lady of 10,0000 Songs entertained.
Next an overview tour highlighting legends like Emma and the world famous legend, Johnny Mercer.
Visit to Bonaventure Cemetery to see the final resting place of the legend Johnny Mercer and many other noted Savannahnians.
Check in to your hotel
Dinner on your own tonight in City Market or on legendary River Street.
Day Seven
Breakfast at your hotel
Morning tour "All that Jazz"-learn of Savannah's importance in the development of Jazz and modern music.
Lunch on your own
Return to your hotel
Farewell dinner tonight at the Metts McNeal Mansion, a private historic residence of the late 1800's. Catered Meal by Mrs. Wilkes or the Lady and Sons. Surprise entertainment by local jazz Musicians of Savannah and character performance by Mr. Joe Odom or Jim Williams of " Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".
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Tales of The South : : P.O. Box 1582 : : Tybee Island, GA 31328
Phone: 912-786-5101 Fax: 912-786-5107
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