Gettin' Hip: Celebrating OTIS REDDING DAY 2021

Otis Redding would have turned 80 years old this Thursday, September 9, 2021. To honor the beloved soul singer's everlasting legacy, the State of Georgia will be declaring the day as "OTIS REDDING DAY" throughout the state at an event this Thursday at The Otis Redding Museum. The museum will unveil a new collection of memorabilia chronicling Redding's life, legacy, and influences on the world with handwritten notes, unseen photos, and more. For more information, please visit The Otis Redding Foundation website. 

Rhino is also introducing several releases that showcase the music that made Redding a legend in the 1960s and continues to win over younger generations. The Big O's legacy is stronger today than ever with his songs earning more than 3 billion (and counting) streams worldwide. And now, fans have a new way to hear some of Redding's biggest hits as Rhino introduces new immersive Dolby Atmos mixes for seven of his best, including "These Arms of Mine," "Pain In My Heart," "Love Man," "That's How Strong My Love Is" and "I've Got Dreams To Remember" along with his two holiday classics "Merry Christmas Baby" and "White Christmas." All seven tracks will be available Thursday, September 9 on all streaming platforms that feature immersive audio.

Additionally, on Redding's birthday this Thursday, iconic DJ D-Nice will host one of his signature Club Quarantine virtual parties on Instagram to celebrate The King of Soul, beginning at 8PM ET. For his continued role in supporting Redding's legacy, D-Nice will also receive the Award of RESPECT from The Otis Redding Foundation, a philanthropic organization that was established in 2007 by the singer's widow, Zelma Redding.

This fall will see other artists expressing their appreciation of Redding with a rollout of several new remixes of some of his classic tracks. The series kicks off this Thursday with a remix of "Tramp," Redding's classic 1967 duet with Carla Thomas, by the Australian electronic duo Korky Buchek. Four years ago, Rhino released the 7-LP Otis Redding: The Definitive Studio Album Collection. This vinyl boxed set features all seven of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's studio albums in replica sleeves that recreate the original packaging. The collection sold out quickly and has now been out of print for years. That will change on December 10 when Rhino re-releases with highly coveted box set. It's available for pre-sale here.

Also on Thursday, the mobile shopping app NTWRK will feature a special program hosted by Redding's family through which fans can pre-order The Definitive Studio Album Collection with an exclusive poster, as well as limited-edition merchandise celebrating the soul legend. This will be the first in a two-part series that will also raise awareness and funds for The Otis Redding Foundation.

Redding's hometown of Macon has also recently launched a new art exhibition "INSPIRED BY OTIS" in partnership with Macon Arts Alliance, showcasing local artists' works of art inspired by Redding and his legacy. The exhibition opened last week and runs through Friday September 24, 2021. Click HERE for more information.