MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Frazier, Butler (38th), Barnett, Branning, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE ICONIC GOSPEL GROUP THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2022 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2022 recipients, which include the iconic gospel group The Williams Brothers for Lifetime Achievement in Music; and
WHEREAS, established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as encourage arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and
WHEREAS, few gospel groups can equal The Williams Brothers in terms of longevity. Organized in 1960 by their late father, Leon "Pop" Williams, and late brother, Frank Williams, the group now consists of Doug and Melvin Williams, Henry Green and Andre Tate; and
WHEREAS, originally based in the southwest Mississippi Town of Smithdale and called The Little Williams Brothers, the group toured on weekends, returning home by Monday to attend school. They quickly built a following and dropped the word "Little" from their name, settling on the Sensational Williams Brothers and later simply "The Williams Brothers"; and
WHEREAS, in the late 1960s, the group recorded two singles for a small Jackson label called Delta. In 1971, the group reached a national audience through a split-sided album with the Jackson Southernaires, a group that featured two other Williams brothers, Huey and Frank. Around this time, session drummer Maurice Surrell joined the group. Throughout the 1970s, the group toured extensively on the success of numerous albums and hit singles, for labels like Nashboro, Savoy, Tomato, and New Birth Records. The 1980s saw the group settle in at Jackson's Malaco Records, where they recorded several more popular, award-winning albums; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, The Williams Brothers formed Blackberry Records in Ridgeland. Their first release on Blackberry won a Stellar Award and was nominated for a Grammy. They have been inducted as members of the International Gospel Hall of Fame. Over the years, they have performed at some of the most hallowed venues in the world, including Madison Square Garden, the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. The Williams Brothers were the first gospel headliner to appear at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino; and
WHEREAS, the group has recorded three Billboard Number 1 albums and 18 Top Ten Albums. Altogether, they have released more than 42 albums. The Williams Brothers have shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Brandy, Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patti LaBelle, James Taylor, and many others. In 2015, they performed at the White House with Aretha Franklin for former President Barack Obama; and
WHEREAS, demand for their live performances has taken them to venues across the United States and abroad. They have one of the most loyal fan bases in gospel music; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the talent of a world-class Mississippi gospel group that has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the musical traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to The Williams Brothers, the recipient of the 2022 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music, and extend our congratulations to this mighty gospel group on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Williams Brothers as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.