MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Furniss, Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BLUESMAN JOHNNIE BILLINGTON OF LAMBERT, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS "ARTS IN EDUCATION" AWARD.

WHEREAS, twenty years ago Johnnie Billington came home to the Mississippi Delta from Chicago after playing the Blues with musical greats Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Earl Hooker; and

WHEREAS, his love for his family brought him back to his Delta roots where he has chosen to stay and use his enormous talent to teach children the art of the Blues; and

WHEREAS, "Mr. Johnnie," as his students, fans and friends know him, started giving lessons to neighborhood children in the evenings after he closed his automobile repair shop each day. His belief that everyone has some kind of artistic talent offered a welcoming environment for children to enter and explore the world of the Blues; and

WHEREAS, his instruction grew and expanded into the public schools in Mississippi and Arkansas where his students have mastered their art and performed in venues from the mid-South to New York City, and most recently in the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway; and

WHEREAS, he helped form the Delta Blues Education Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing instruction in the Blues to the young people of the Delta; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, the Mississippi Arts Commission awarded Mr. Billington Master Folk Artist Status. He has received both the W.C. Handy Award for "Keeping the Blues Alive in Education" and the Early Wright Award for "Outstanding Work to Preserve, Promise, Perpetuate and Document the Blues in its Homeland, the Mississippi Delta"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this Blues legend who has brought great honor to his community and our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bluesman Johnnie Billington of Lambert, Mississippi, upon his receipt of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts "Arts in Education" award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Johnnie Billington at the awards ceremony to be held on March 19, 1999, and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.