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By David Seibert, November 14, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Roland Hayes Marker | | |
Inscription. Roland Hayes, the first internationally renowned African - American classical singer was born in Gordon County and performed at this site, the former Calhoun High Auditorium. Hayes opened doors for African - American concert and opera performers and elevated Negro spirituals to the classical level, singing them in concert with operatic arias. He
sang in seven languages. Hayes studied at Nashville´s Fisk University and toured the United States, performing at Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall. His foreign tour included a command performance for King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace. At the height of his half - century career. Hayes was one of the world´s highest paid singers. He made a number of recordings and published his music in the book My Songs. In 1991, Roland Hayes was named to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. On his 80th birthday, Hayes was honored with this tribute. "He is and ever was at once one voice, one race, one citizen, one triumph in belief, one compromise with nothing … he is a country to himself that borders not on nations whole or sundered, but on art, on life - on people prizing now and then nobility in man.
Erected 1995 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 064-34.)
Location. | | | | 
By David Seibert, November 14, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Roland Hayes Marker | | The Marker stands in the Roland Hayes Park, located on the site of the old Civic Auditorium where Hayes once performed. | | |
34° 30.096′ N, 84° 57.429′ W. Marker is in Calhoun, Georgia, in Gordon County. Marker is at the intersection of Oothcalooga Street and South Fair Street, on the right when traveling east on Oothcalooga Street. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 540 Oothcalooga Street, Calhoun GA 30701, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Gordon County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Calhoun, Ga, May 18, 1864. (approx. 0.4 miles away); Johnston's Rear Guard Stops McPherson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Lay's Ferry (approx. 2.2 miles away); Richard Peters Plantation (approx. 2.2 miles away); New Echota Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); Trail of Tears (approx. 3.8 miles away); New Echota (approx. 3.8 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Calhoun.
Also see . . . The New Georgia Encyclopedia biography of Hayes. (Submitted on December 8, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page originally submitted on November 28, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 553 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page. |
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