A contract signed by Otis Redding for a Ft. Worth, TX concert, exactly one month before his tragic death.

The American Federation of Musicians contract provides for Redding and his road band, the Bar-Kays, to appear at the Ridglea Country Club in Ft. Worth, between 1:00 AM-5:00 AM on Saturday, November 11, 1967.  Their fee was $5,000, with half paid up front.  Redding died tragically one month later, on December 10, when his private plane crashed into Lake Monona near Madison, WI (four members of the Bar-Kays also perished, along with Redding’s valet and pilot).

Eleven days after this show, Redding recorded what would become his best known song, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” returning to the studio on December 7, three days before his death, to record overdubs.  After his death, his co-writer and collaborator, Steve Cropper (of Booker T and the MG’s) overdubbed the sounds of seagulls and waves crashing, as Redding had requested, and the song went on to be a worldwide hit, reaching #1 in the Billboard Hot 100.

The contract is in excellent condition, with staple holes to the top left corner, and 3 small rust stains from staples along the left edge.  Redding signs boldly in black ballpoint pen, as does promoter Dick Montcrief.  Also included is a small receipt noting that booking agent Sam Coplin has paid the $2500 deposit.

With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.