Georgia Magazine - April 2022 - 20

By the '90s, the studio had changed hands several
times and the building fell into major disrepair. Many
thought the song had come to an end, but they were
wrong.
In 2015, Mercer University, economic development
agency NewTown Macon, real estate firm Sierra
Development and the Southern Pines Plantations
land group announced a $4.7 million renovation
project that included the full restoration of the
original studio space.
" The project was funded entirely by historic tax
credits [federal and state tax credits that encourage
historic preservation] and private gifts and grants, "
Brumley says. " The Peyton Anderson and John S.
and James L. Knight foundations provided the largest
grants, but more than 300 people and organizations
from across the country contributed to this project,
making gifts from $5 up to more than $1 million. "
In December 2019, on the 50th anniversary
of Capricorn Records, Mercer Music at Capricorn
opened its doors.
" The historic studio looks the same, sounds the
same, " he says. " And some Capricorn alumni have
said it even smells the same as it did in the 1970s. "
'MACON MUSIC' AGAIN
" The music incubator was actually the genesis
Top: Mercer Music at Capricorn's renovated music studio and common areas are
lively and comfortable. Above: Blues musician Hughes Taylor studies the sound
board at Capricorn's recording studio.
of this project, " Brumley says. " Mercer's president,
Bill Underwood, wanted to find a facility downtown
that could be used by local musicians to rehearse
and collaborate, with the goal of encouraging the
development of the next Allman Brothers Band or
Otis Redding. "
The Capricorn Music Incubator boasts 12
rehearsal rooms over two floors where musicians can
jam together. Rooms are rented by the day, month
or year and are accessible 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
The sound studios offer the historic Studio A and
SOUTHERN ROCK ROYALTY
The Allman Brothers Band recorded significant portions
of three albums there, along with solo albums by Gregg Allman
( " Laid Back, " 1973) and Dickey Betts ( " Highway Call, " 1974). In
1973, the Marshall Tucker Band recorded its debut album there,
which featured hits such as " Can't You See, " " Take the Highway "
and " My Jesus Told Me So. "
" Other big names associated with the heyday of Capricorn
Sound Studios are Wet Willie, Charlie Daniels [although he was
not on the Capricorn Records label] and Lynyrd Skynyrd, which
recorded part of its album 'Gimme Back My Bullets' there in
1975, " Brumley says. " Joe Cocker also recorded here on albums
by Bonnie Bramlett. There were also some less-popular acts like
Cowboy, Grinderswitch and others who recorded here. But even
[the lesser-known musicians] were influential. "
Walden's label produced nine platinum albums, 17 gold
albums and five gold singles in the '70s, but Capricorn's glory
days were short-lived. The label filed for bankruptcy in 1979.
20 Georgia Magazine April 2022
a larger space, Studio B, that is suitable for concerts and special
events. Both spaces feature a control room equipped with an
analog, 40-channel recording and mixing console that was
custom-built for Capricorn as well as isolation booths and
production suites.
Within the Capricorn walls, the music is timeless and
treasured, and the magic will continue to inspire generations
of rising stars.
Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer living in Adairsville.
When you go
Besides the music incubator and studio space, Mercer Music at
Capricorn also features a conference center and a 1,200-square-foot
museum showcasing photos, artifacts, a gift shop and interactive
listening stations where visitors can sample the music label's catalog.
Mercer Music at Capricorn, 540 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Macon. (478) 257-5327. capricorn.mercer.edu.
EVIE SOMOGYI KITCHENS
CHRISTOPHER IAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
http://capricorn.mercer.edu
Georgia Magazine - April 2022

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