It started as a story on this blog from one of their pup's point of view. Now, Jessica and Jamie have begun a new chapter in the life they share in the town they love. Welcome to Macon Candy, where a wedding is on its way!
Life definitely has not slowed down for us since saying I do! Jamie and I are the proud new owners of Rock Candy Tours, LLC, our tour company that is currently offering Macon, Georgia's only music history walking tour. With the recent closing of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, we've begun our business earlier than expected and have gone from husband and wife to business partners faster than we ever imagined!
We're currently offering the "Rock n' Soul Stroll" through parts of downtown Macon. The two-hour tour takes you to places where it literally all began - the Allman Brothers' first crash pad, the international headquarters of the original concert t-shirts and the offices of Otis Redding, Capricorn Records, Paragon Booking Agency and Hustlers, Inc, where contracts and deals for some of American music's greatest artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Percy Sledge, Redding and more were conducted. We walk by the place "Please, Please, Please" was originally recorded by James Brown. We tell stories that liner notes don't cover, and we cover legends' roots in Macon and the legendary tales that came with them.
While the walking tour is off and -- well, walking -- we will soon introduce our trolley tour that will roll through all of downtown Macon's storied music past. We hope to have information on the trolley tour schedule soon as well as a stand-alone website on our entire operation.
Until then, walking tours take place in the summer evenings, by appointment. Tours are $60 for up to six people; $10 per person after that (so, if it's just the two of you, it's $30 per person; if you have a group of six, it's only $10 per person). We work with your schedule and can book tours during the week or weekend.
It seems like only yesterday that we celebrated. We danced. We ate, drank and got married. One month has flown by, and we're still over the moon. This is the first of several wedding day photos by the amazing Maryann Bates, which we're so excited to share. This one was taken in the backyard of our home, before the wedding . . . yes, we snuck in a couple of kisses before the altar.
Here are a few more from Leah of Jubee & the Morning After rocking the night away at the rehearsal party. Also included is the scene from the legendary Grant's Lounge stage when Jessica's dad spoke about family history - then, now and forever.
Jessica's column was published in the Telegraph today, which she dedicated to thanking the best darn rap, rock and soul band to have come our way - and hopefully sky rocket further.
We were grateful to have our friend / photo extraordinaire Leah Yetter back in Macon from the wild lands of Wyoming for the celebration (check out her amazing blog Uprooted Magnolia). And even though she's got a way with the great outdoors lately, that's her amazing shot of Macon's own wildlife, Jubee & the Morning After, killing it on the Grant's Lounge stage at our rehearsal party.
Another shot our friend Russ sent to us. This is an artistic take on Jessica's walk down the Cox Capitol Theatre aisle to the peak of "Try a Little Tenderness" as sung by Otis Redding. The only way to describe that very moment is by this photo - it was an out-of-body experience for sure!
And a woman loves a man . . . they dance like nobody is watching and soak in with awe just how sacred those vows just given will be for the rest of our lives. Thanks to friend and photographer Russ Loyd for capturing this tender moment, which took place immediately after we were pronounced husband and wife. Thanks to T-Bird & the Breaks for learning "When a Man Loves a Woman" and doing an amazing version with all the right soul. This song was Jessica's family's first number one single back in the day when Percy Sledge made his rhythm and blues debut. It's swooned the hearts of everyone, all over the world, ever since. It's now another first in our family history - the first dance to the rest of our lives.
