In 1967, members of the Nashville Chapter of The Recording Academy approached prominent members of the Atlanta music community about becoming members of their Chapter. At the time, the Atlanta area community included artists such as James Brown, Ray Charles, the Classics IV, Gladys Knight, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Billy Joe Royal, Joe South, and Tommy Roe, along with the burgeoning activity of the southern rock scene of Capricorn Records.

Given the prominence of its local artists and the region's unique niche on the national music scene, the Atlanta recording community believed it merited its own Recording Academy Chapter. Visionaries including Buddy Buie, Gwen Kesler, Bill Lowery, Wade Pepper, Mary Tallent, Phil Walden, and Sam Wallace were determined to make a statement about their region's uniquely rich cultural heritage.

Over the last few years the music scene in the Southeast, with Atlanta as its hub, continues to nurture a diverse music community. One of the most important changes has been Atlanta's emergence as a prominent power in urban music. The success of Atlanta's former LaFace Records and Def Jam South and today's thriving So So Def, DARP, Organized Noize, 1720 Records, Disturbing Tha Peace, and Big Oomp Records, has been remarkable. The emerging urban music scene has been home to Arrested Development, Bow Wow, Toni Braxton, Ciara, Morris Day, Faith Evans, Goodie Mob, Whitney Houston, India.Arie, Jagged Edge, Lil Jon & Eastside Boyz, Lil Scrappy, Ludacris, Monica, 112, Outkast, Kelly Price, Tony Rich, T.I., TLC, Usher, and Ying Yang Twins, to name a few.

The pop, rock and alternative scenes continue in a grand Southern tradition, having produced pioneers such as Athens' R.E.M., B-52's, Edwin McCain and Matthew Sweet. Atlanta has been home to Angie Aparo, the Black Crowes, Collective Soul, Drivin' N' Cryin', Evan And Jaron, Indigo Girls, John Mayer, Shawn Mullins, Sister Hazel, and Butch Walker & Marvelous 3. Top producers Brendan O'Brien, Sean Garrett, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Jazze Pha, and Butch Walker give the top names in the business a great reason to record in Atlanta. Many artists have relocated to Atlanta including the illustrious Sir Elton John.

From the multi-GRAMMY-winning and celebrated Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to our gospel greats such as Dottie Peoples and contemporary Christian artists Casting Crowns and Third Day, to country's finest including Travis Tritt, Mark Wills and Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland and the Zac Brown Band, Atlanta has either bred such luminaries or they have chosen to become a part of our collective and take advantage of the sophisticated infrastructure developing around the Atlanta music community.

The Atlanta Chapter continues to work toward maintaining a membership that reflects the diversity of its music community by providing engaging educational, professional and social opportunities that invite the participation of its members. The Chapter's long-term goal is to offer a nurturing environment for the Southeast recording community, to maximize the leadership talents of the many volunteers who are the heart of the organization, to build coalitions with other arts organizations that share a common vision of the importance of the arts and arts education, and to provide quality, cutting-edge educational opportunities for its members.

Click here to view the Atlanta Chapter video.