A Boy from Georgia
Otis Ray Redding Jr. was born in Dawson, Georgia, but at the age of 2, his family moved to Macon, Georgia. He was the fourth of six children and the first son to parents Otis and Fannie. Redding Sr. would occasionally preached in local churches, and it was in the church that the young Otis sang his first chords.
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At an early age, Otis sang in the Vineville Baptist Church choir. He also learned guitar, piano, and at age 10, he starting taking drumming and singing lessons. During his high school years (at Ballard-Hudson High School), Otis sang in the school band. He even earned a few bucks at Macon’s local radio station, WIBB, making $6.00 every Sunday to perform gospel songs.