In recognition of the centennial of Johnny Mercer's birth, Georgia State University Librarys Popular Music and Culture Archives, which houses the Johnny Mercer Collections, in collaboration with the Rialto Center for the Arts and the School of Music, is presenting a Centennial Celebration to highlight the music and life of one of America's greatest songwriters. Centennial events will be held at the Rialto Center for the Arts and include the Popular Music in the Mercer Era, 1910-1970 Academic Conference on November 13-14, the Atlanta premiere of the documentary film Johnny Mercer: The Dream's On Me on November 13, and the Johnny Mercer Centennial Celebration Concert featuring Lizz Wright, Joe Gransden, and musicians from the School of Music on November 14. For nearly five decades, Johnny Mercer had a prolific career as a lyricist, composer, and performer. He is credited with writing 1,700 songs, was nominated for 18 Academy Awards, and was one of the founders of Capitol Records. Presented in partnership with the Georgia State University Library and School of Music with support from the Johnny Mercer Foundation.

The conference and film screening are free and open to the public. Online registration for the conference is required. For more information and registration please visit www.library.gsu.edu/mercer100. Tickets for the celebration concert are $22-$48 and are available at the Rialto Center's box office, (404) 413-9TIX (9849) or www.rialtocenter.org. Special overnight rate available at the Westin Atlanta Peachtree Hotel, see www.library.gsu.edu/mercer100. Group and Georgia State University student discounts are offered for the celebration concert. The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University is located at 80 Forsyth Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia. Free Parking is available for the celebration concert.

Johnny Mercer
Georgia's own Johnny Mercer grew up listening to gospel, jazz and African-American folk music. He stole away to New York in the 1920s, where he launched his musical career and enjoyed tremendous success as a lyricist, vocalist and record executive. A day rarely goes by that one does not hear a Johnny Mercer song. Mercer penned the lyrics to countless tunes, including four Academy Award-winners. From You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby and Jeepers Creepers to Hooray for Hollywood and Moon River, Mercer was the lyricist of an American century.

Lizz Wright
Lizz Wright is a jazz/soul singer hailing from Hahira, Georgia, just southwest of Mercer's hometown of Savannah. She began her musical training in the local church under the guidance of her pianist father. After moving to Atlanta to study voice at the GSU School of Music (in the studio of W. Dwight Coleman), Wright joined the acclaimed vocal quartet In the Spirit. Her smooth, distinctive voice earned her a recording contract with legendary Verve Records. Wright has since released three albums and currently resides in New York, where she is continuing her studies at The New School.

Joe Gransden
Trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden has performed worldwide and released seven CDs under his own name. He has developed a steady following in Atlanta, where he often sells out four night stands for diverse audiences. His latest CD, Plays and Sings, is a collection of jazz favorites and originals performed with his father, Robert Gransden, and Joe has also recently collaborated with Kenny G. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Georgia State University School of Music, where he studied with Gordon Vernick.