MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Norwood, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Thomas, Jordan, Simmons (13th), Butler, Horhn, Chassaniol, McCaughn

Senate Resolution 47

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION SALUTING AND EXTENDING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO 87-YEAR-OLD BLUES LEGEND BOBBY RUSH FOR WINNING A 2021 GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM.

     WHEREAS, Octogenarian Mississippi Bluesman Bobby Rush has won another Grammy Award.  Bobby Rush was one of several Mid-South artists who earned a 2021 Grammy Award on March 14, 2021.  Due to COVID-19, the 63rd Annual Grammy Ceremonies took place as a large virtual event; and

     WHEREAS, the 87-year-old Rush has six total nominations in his career and got his first win in 2017 for the Best Traditional Blues Album.  Rush won another Grammy in the same category this year for his LP, "Rawer Than Raw."  He won against a pair of fellow Mid-Southers, including Bentonia, Mississippi, native Jimmy "Duck" Holmes and Memphis Soul-Bluesman Don Bryant for the honor; and

     WHEREAS, Bobby Rush has been called the "Dean of the Blues" and "King of the Chitlin Circuit" because of his longevity and popularity.  His fusion of funk, R&B, blues, and in some cases rap, gives him a signature sound and stage persona; and

     WHEREAS, "Wow, wow, wow, wow!" said enthused Rush after his name was announced as the winner.  "I want to thank the academy for choosing me.  I'm so blessed and thankful."  He told the crowd that he has recorded 380 records in a career that spans six decades.  This year, Rush was competing against younger and older Blues Musicians who all respected him.  Bobby Rush is definitely the hardest working octogenarian in show business.  Leading up to the Grammys, he performed at numerous public appearances; and

     WHEREAS, Bobby Rush has amassed unbelievable accomplishments: 

He was designated the first Blues Artist to perform at the Great Wall of China to a record audience of over 40,000; received Congressional Commendation by both United States Senator Steve Cohen and United States Congressman Bennie Thompson; honored by Tennessee Veterans with his Red, White and Blues Jam Annual Concert; he either knew, performed or recorded for more than six consecutive decades with the likes of:  Quincy Jones, Calvin Carter, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Ike and Tina Turner, Vee Jay Records, and Malaco Records; performed for one of the nation's longest-running blues festival, the Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival, 36 of the 39 years that it existed; International Ambassador of the Blues for the State of Tennessee; and International King of the Blues by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to this respected musician whose body of work has brought great entertainment to fans nationally and internationally and brought honor to Bobby's Blues Community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby salute and extend the congratulations of the Mississippi Senate to 87-year-old Mississippi Blues Legend Bobby Rush for winning a 2021 Grammy Award for his Best Traditional Blues Album and for his contributions to the world of music and his multidecade cultural Ambassadorship and his positive impact on the creative economy of the State of Mississippi.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bobby Rush, forwarded to the Mississippi Development Authority and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.