The Big 'O' Youth Educational Dream Foundation Celebrates the Legacy of the Immortal Otis Redding

The Big 'O' Youth Educational Dream Foundation Celebrates the Legacy of the Immortal Otis Redding

Estate of Otis Redding joins the Woodruff Arts Center of Atlanta for a star-studded "Evening of Respect" Tribute

ATLANTA, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation and the Woodruff Arts Center of Atlanta will host a star-studded musical tribute to honor the music and legacy of the immortal Otis Redding, it was announced today by Zelma Redding, founder of the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation, and Joe Bankoff, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. In addition, The Big "O" Recognition & Awards Banquet will precede the tribute and will honor Kyle and Pattie Petty for their work and humanitarian efforts through the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America; Chris "Ludacris" Bridges for his work with the Ludacris Foundation and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin who will receive the Zelma Redding Horizon Award. Additional honorees will be announced shortly.

Otis Redding was an international star known for hits including "RESPECT," These Arms of Mine" and "Mr. Pitiful." His untimely death at the age of 26 shocked music fans around the world. The musical tribute, "An Evening of RESPECT," will feature performances and appearances from a host of entertainers and celebrity guests including Redding's sons Dexter and Otis Redding III who will be backed up by the Shep Crawford Rhythm Section and The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.

"Otis accomplished so many things in his short life," commented Mrs. Redding. "He believed in education and while the world continues to appreciate his music, we are continuing to do our best to enrich the lives of young people by enabling them to continue their education through the many programs that we support."

"The success of the foundation is rooted in the love and support that we have received over the years from the City of Macon, Bibb County and the Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau," continued Mrs. Redding. "We are proud to be honoring them at An Evening of RESPECT and acknowledging their continued support which includes the naming of the Otis Redding Bridge, the erection of the Otis Redding statue in Gateway Park and the critically-acclaimed exhibit, "I've Got Dreams To Remember," in Otis' honor at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame."

"The Woodruff Arts Center is proud to serve as a partner of the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation," stated Joe Bankoff, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. "The Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation shares in the Woodruff Arts Center's commitment to education in the arts for all of Georgia's children. The 'Evening of Respect' musical tribute to Mr. Otis Redding comes at a pivotal moment in our time and emphasizes the importance of music in continued education, learning and growth in the lives of our youth."

The event is a fundraiser for The Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation established in 2007. For ticket information: www.otisredding.com or www.woodruffcenter.org or call 404-733-5000.

About the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation

The Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation's mission is to empower and enlighten youth to remain confident and motivated through programs related to music and the arts. The foundation was a significant dream Otis had to encourage young people to stay in school. He had already developed programs to be held at our ranch where we invited people from all aspects of the music industry to lecture on the importance of education and learning. Our theme is Progress Through Education/Enlightenment Through Music.

About the Woodruff Arts Center

Over the past 40 years, the Woodruff Arts Center has distinguished itself as one of the premier cultural centers in the nation, a unique institutional model where individual arts institutions unite to form a collaborative, inspiration, and supportive environment for the arts and education. Originally founded as the Atlanta Arts Alliance in the Memorial Arts Building, the Woodruff Arts Center campus, located on 906,000 square feet in the heart of Midtown Atlanta houses four renowned arts organizations including the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences, with the 14th Street Playhouse located only a few blocks away. Since its founding in 1968, Woodruff Arts Center has served more than 30 million patrons and annually offers more than 3,300 performances and exhibitions. In addition to its role as a cultural beacon and hub of the Southeast, the Center serves as a critical economic, educational, and social catalyst for Atlanta and the region and is a cornerstone to the ongoing development and transformation of the entire city.

Source: Big 'O' Youth Educational Dream Foundation

CONTACT: Patti Webster, patti@w-wpr.com, or Karen Lee, Karen@w-wpr.com,
or Aliya Crawford, aliya@w-wpr.com, all of W&W Public Relations, Inc.,
+1-732-469-5955

Web Site: http://www.otisredding.com/

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