Shortly after Rome native Curtis Reed penned the anthem to his home state, “Take Me Back to Georgia,” he realized that he wanted to make a difference for students of the arts across the Peach State.

He’ll kick off his “Take Me Back to Georgia: A Celebration in Song” concert tour at the City Auditorium in Rome on March 29-30, with a portion of the proceeds from each concert designated for the arts in local schools.

The concert series will feature original music as well as selections from the pop, country and R&B genres.

Reed, who sang with The G.T.’s in Rome as a teenager, has made a career in the music industry — performing in concert halls, night clubs, show lounges and casinos from New York to Los Angeles — and is now ready to help young people who are considering a career in music or the arts.

The veteran entertainer also will be holding auditions for two back-up singers and some musicians at the Days Inn, 840 Turner McCall Boulevard on Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A second round of auditions is scheduled Feb. 9 at the same location and time.

He is specifically looking for horn players, a saxophonist, trumpeter, and trombonist along with bass and lead guitar players.

The keyboard players are already locked in, including former Polk County Schools superintendent Marvin Williams and Tony Valentine of Marietta, who has played with Reed in the past. Marshall Plants of Rome, who also played with The G.T.’s four decades ago, will be one of the saxophone players.

Reed said the musicians he selects for the Rome shows should be prepared to travel around the state with him on the concert tour.

“I do want to run this through as many towns as possible,” he said.

He wants to book dates in medium-sized venues, which hold close to a thousand seats, and is hoping to schedule at least one concert weekend each month during the next 12-14 months.

Reed is already working to have students in the Rome and Floyd County schools participate in a poster design contest for the tour. And students from local high schools will be featured as a back-up chorus when he performs “Take Me Back to Georgia” and other selected songs.

Williams will be helping Reed conduct the students. For additional information about the auditions, contact Plants at 706-346-8286.