MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Blount, Thomas, Horhn, Hickman, Simmons (12th), England, Kirby
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY'S MARCHING BAND "SONIC BOOM OF THE SOUTH" AND DIRECTOR DR. RODERICK LITTLE FOR ITS EXCITING PERFORMANCE WITH ROCK LEGEND USHER DURING THE "APPLE MUSIC SUPER BOWL LVIII HALFTIME SHOW" ON THE OCCASION OF "JSU DAY AT THE CAPITOL" ON MARCH 19, 2024.
WHEREAS, Jackson State University's "Sonic Boom of the South" Marching Band made a special appearance with eight-time Grammy-winning artist Usher during the "Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show" in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the "Boom" showed television viewers and football fans in Allegiant Stadium why they are known as the "Summa Cum Laude of Bands," making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; and
WHEREAS, there were 123.4 million viewers watching the halftime show of the NFL Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, including a shocked audience of Jackson State students, faculty and alumni around the world. Also surprised were the band's family members, who knew the band was performing somewhere but had no clue where. That's because the band had successfully kept the news of its invitation to perform at the world's most-watched sporting event a secret for more than three months; and
WHEREAS, "It is not every day you are invited to participate in such a monumental moment. The reality of the situation did not hit us until we began rehearsals in Las Vegas," shares Roderick Little, Ph.D., Director of Bands at JSU. "I cannot think of anything more exciting or rewarding than walking onto the field, hearing the roar of the Super Bowl crowd, and immersing ourselves in the spirit that Usher brought to his performance"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Little says he was met with disbelief when he informed the band students that they would participate in the halftime show. "They deserve this adventure and have worked hard to be here. I am also proud that I could fulfill two of my strategic goals for our band program: provide life-changing experiences for our students and place our program on one of the most visible national stages in this country. It does not get any bigger than the Super Bowl"; and
WHEREAS, the band's appearance at the Super Bowl started with a conversation between JSU alum Cortez Bryant and his friend Jesse Collins, Executive Producer of the Halftime Show. "He asked if I knew of any HBCU bands. Of course, Jackson State's "Sonic Boom" is the best band in the land. Without a doubt, they were going to receive my recommendation," says Bryant, also a "Sonic Boom" alum and Co-CEO of Blueprint Group/Maverick. The rest is Jackson State University history; and
WHEREAS, the "Sonic Boom" set the stage for Jackson State University to continue to elevate the institution by highlighting the campus culture and student experience. President Marcus L. Thompson, Ph.D., says the performance reiterates the institution's reputation as a global research institution where students excel in and out of the classroom. "I am extremely proud of our students' performance tonight with Usher, and the precision and musicality they brought to one of America's biggest celebrations of sport was unparalleled," says Thompson. "When you realize that these student artists hail from various parts of the country and are studying a variety of majors, including biology, political science, and communications, you can appreciate the level of hard work and perseverance that went into this show"; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University's "Sonic Boom of The South" and the "Prancing J-Settes" have been invited to participate in the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade presented by Honda on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in Pasadena, California; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Marching Band was dubbed "Sonic Boom of the South" in 1971 by students in the band. In 1974, the band's theme, "Get Ready," an old Motown favorite, was selected. Three years later, the "Tiger Run-On" was perfected, which is a fast, eye-catching shuffle that blends an adagio step with an up-tempo shuffle, a "Sonic Boom" trademark that brings fans to their feet during halftime performances; and
WHEREAS, the "Sonic Boom" has performed at many halftime appearances, including the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals; a television special for Motown's 30th Anniversary and the 34th NAACP Image Awards. The band is a favored entry in halftime performances during football season and for parades throughout Mississippi and the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Super Bowl honor adds to the "Boom's" legacy of iconic performances and moments that help elevate the university's name and brand. It is with great pride that we join the students, faculty, JSU administration and JSU fans in recognizing and celebrating this outstanding musical organization which has brought notoriety and honor to their university and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Jackson State University's Marching Band "Sonic Boom of the South" and Director Dr. Roderick Little for its exciting performance with rock legend Usher during the "Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show" on the occasion of "JSU Day at the Capitol" on March 19, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Roderick Little, Ph.D., Director of Bands, and Dr. Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., President of JSU, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.