MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn, Simmons, Huggins, Frazier

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ROEBUCK "POPS" STAPLES UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

WHEREAS, as a child in Winona, Mississippi, "Pops" Staples began his musical journey with the sounds of gospel stirring his heart and soul; and

WHEREAS, "Pops" moved into the world of blues as a teenager when he began to listen to artists such as Barbeque Bob Hicks, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Memphis Slim, and after learning to play the guitar as a sixteen-year-old, he began to form his own style of music by blending the blues guitar with gospel material; and

WHEREAS, "Pops" mastered this technique while playing with the Golden Trumpets in Mississippi and later with the Trumpet Jubilees in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, after several years on the gospel tour, he joined with his son and two daughters to form The Staple Singers, a group that has performed for five decades and achieved remarkable success; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s, they moved from the world of traditional gospel into message music that reflected the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, the rise of acclaim for "Pops" Staples and The Staple Singers continued to grow with the numerous hit songs they recorded during the 1960s and 1970s; and

WHEREAS, as a solo performer "Pops" recorded "Peace to the Neighborhood," featuring such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder, and released his CD "Father, Father," which garnered a nomination for the 1995 Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, and he performed live in Drew, Mississippi, for the Second Annual "Pops" Staples Park Festival with John Fogerty following the dedication of the "Pops" Staples Park, and he also contributed to the Rhythm, Country and Blues Album project with "The Weight," performed by The Staples Singers and Marty Stuart; and

WHEREAS, the fusion of gospel and blues in the music of "Pops" is evident today as he records new material for release; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this native Mississippian for his considerable lifetime contribution to gospel and blues music and to the quality of life in our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Roebuck "Pops" Staples upon his receipt of the Governor's Excellence in the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award.

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