#Georgia on my mind full

Ray Charles (1960, with Ralph Burns and His Orchestra, #1).Gene Krupa (1941, Anita O’Day, vocal, #17).Mildred Bailey (1932, with Matt Malneck and His Orchestra, #19).

Frankie Trumbauer and His Orchestra (1931, Art Jarrett, vocal, #10).

The first chart appearance of “Georgia on My Mind” was courtesy of Frankie Trumbauer, the man who had suggested the song idea to Carmichael in the first place. But the good news was mixed with the bad his college friend Bill Moenkhaus and fellow musician Bix Beiderbecke would both die at the age of twenty-eight. In 1931, a pivotal and bittersweet year for Carmichael, “ Star Dust” would appear on the pop charts five times, and “Georgia on My Mind” would become a number ten hit. This recording did not turn out to be a hit, but success was just around the corner. Hoagy (vocal) Bix Beiderbecke (cornet), Ray Lodwig (trumpet) Jack Teagarden Boyce Cullen (trombone) Jimmy Dorsey (clarinet/alto sax) ‘Bud’ Freeman (tenor sax) ‘Pee Wee’ Russell (alto sax) Irving Brodsky (piano) Joe Venuti (violin) Eddie Lang (guitar), Min Leibrook (bass sax), Chauncey Morehouse (drums). His “orchestra” was an all-star lineup of musicians: Hoagy Carmichael and His Orchestra recorded the new song on September 15, 1930, in a Victor studio session. Working at an investment company in New York, Carmichael was composing in his spare time and wrote “Georgia on My Mind” at the suggestion of friend and saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer, a musician and bandleader sometimes credited as the “grandfather of modern jazz.”Īccording to Richard Sudhalter in his Carmichael biography, Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael, Trumbauer asked Carmichael, “Why don’t you write a song about Georgia? Nobody ever lost money writing songs about the South.” Carmichael followed the advice, with Stuart Gorrell thinking of the title and helping out with the lyrics. His most famous work, “ Star Dust” (1929), had been published and recorded but had yet to find success. Half-singing, half-narrating, Carmichael meanders through the song at a lazy swing.”īy 1930 Hoagy Carmichael had already written more than a dozen songs. The birds, the scenery, the walks and the history make it a fascination destination for the whole family.“In his charming drawl the master himself delivers the definitive version of the song. There are dozens of state parks where you can fish, climb, camp, swim, and breathe that glorious fresh air. But if you enjoy the great outdoors, then Georgia is the place to be. The towns and cities have much to offer, including a wide range of hotels.

#Georgia on my mind full

The flora is fabulous with azaleas and dogwoods, magnificent when in full bloom. Spring and fall are ideal and even the winters are usually quite mild. The souvenirs have to be seen to be believed.įour major interstate highways lead you into Georgia, where a visit is fine almost any time of the year. In the museum, you wander the streets of music discovering instruments, musical styles, composers and performers. The Georgia Music Hall of Fame is a magical celebration of the music of many great musicians, including Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown, Little Richard, Johnny Mercer and more.

Music is a major part of the life of the city. You'll have plenty on your mind when you visit Georgia. Not bad for a lyric about a friend's sister. In 2003 Rolling Stone magazine declared 'Georgia On My Mind' to be one of the top 50 greatest songs of all time. Why? Perhaps because it has a wonderful melody, a laid back feel, and it stirs feelings of home and patriotism. Here are just a few of the greats who have recorded this song: Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson, Louis Armstrong, Nat Gonella, Glenn Miller, Jo Stafford, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Jones, Coldplay, Oscar Peterson, Gladys Knight, Dean Martin and many, many more. But regardless of its origins, 'Georgia on my Mind' has been hugely popular with artists. If you study the lyrics, you will see they could relate to a woman or to a state. In fact, the lyricist wrote the words for the composer's sister, Georgia Carmichael. Photo: Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBut that was never its original intention.