Jessica Walden
Co-Founder
Rock Candy Tours
Macon, GA USA
“So many times we think we have to go to the big city to get the big job, but sometimes it’s our small towns that need us the most.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJessica Walden
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born and raised in Macon, Georgia—both her father and uncle are Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductees, well-known for working with artists like Otis Redding, Al Green, and The Allman Brothers Band.
Moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University as a journalism major with dreams of writing for popular magazines—but began to rethink her decision after a disastrous internship.
While still in school, she got a part-time job working for her uncle’s record label, answering phones and working in the publicity department helping to promote artists.
She loved the public relations work she was doing, but with the rise of Napster and the digital music age, her uncle’s label started failing, and she realized her job wouldn’t last long.
Saw an add in the paper for a public relations position at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon—she applied, got the job, and left her new life in Atlanta to return to her hometown.
With the dream of still becoming a reporter, she turned down a promotion at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in order to become an editor at a small independent newspaper.
Helped launch Georgia Music Magazine, which was instrumental in helping to revitalize downtown Macon.
When the Georgia Music Hall of Fame closed, she and her husband decided to open Rock Candy Tours—they recognized that the musical soul of Macon wasn’t contained solely within a museum.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Co-Founder
I am a second generation child of rock and roll sharing the rich music history of Macon, Georgia.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Journalism
Music
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
We utilize family stories and extensive research to put together public and private walking tours of Macon, Georgia. We get to collaborate with experienced tour guides and music history buffs to share some of the best historic sites of the South that are rich in music history. In my spare time, I am also a communications specialist and journalist, so I write a lot and am constantly looking for fun, new ways of sharing interesting stories. I do most of the marketing side of the business.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Make the best of every situation. You may not be doing what you want, where you want, but finding the silver lining might end up opening doors to something truly great.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I have no idea what I am doing."
Challenges I Overcame
Relocation
First-Generation College Student
Interviewed By
Georgia State University Roadtrip
Georgia State University students and alumni
