"We All Love Each Other, Don't We?" My father voiced this question to an audience of thousands during his groundbreaking and legendary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and it remains embedded in my mind. In the spirit of Otis Redding, "We Do All Love Each Other."
My father was a larger-than-life man who loved deeply and he expressed that love to his family and his friends, to his community and through his music. I think that love is what people from all around the world feel when they listen to Otis Redding music such as "Dock of the Bay," Try a Little Tenderness," "Respect," and "I've Got Dreams to Remember"; and it is why they travel from far and wide to Macon, GA each year to celebrate his birthday and his legacy.
Otis Redding was a big dreamer and although he died when he was just 26, he lived a very rewarding life that brought him both success and satisfaction. But because he was such a feeling and compassionate person, all of the success and recognition in the world would not be complete if he did not give back and help others to accomplish their goals and reach for their dreams.
Before his death in 1967, he implemented a campaign called "Stay In School" hoping to counteract the high drop-out rates and he hoped that his efforts would not only help the young people in Macon GA, but youth everywhere.
My father was very blessed to be able to live out his dreams as a recording artist and a performer, but his initiatives to aid and uplift youth on a large scale through education and the arts were unfortunately cut short on that fateful day in December, 1967 when his plane crashed on the way to a concert in Madison, WI. But, Otis Redding's dreams nor his legacy died in that plane crash.
I was only five when I lost my father, but I remember the man he was and how he really did love everyone. I, along with my mother Zelma and my brothers Otis III and Dexter, have very vivid memories of my father and the beautiful things that he wished for himself and for others. He wanted the absolute best for his fellow human beings and was always there to support and encourage in any way that he could.
The love and the principles that he embodied are the reasons that we established the Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation. And it is why we, along with our partners, friends and Otis Redding lovers, will continue to work toward his efforts to promote the importance of education and the arts. Our mission is to motivate and empower the youth of today to "stay the course" and never give up on a dream.
Each year we honor and celebrate the legacy of Otis Redding with a tribute concert, An Evening of Respect, and various celebrations to not only pay tribute to the human being he was, but to recognize individuals and organizations who give of themselves in the spirit of love. Otis Redding had dreams to remember and so do we.