MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Stevens

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE UPON RECEIVING THE 2000 GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS ARTIST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

WHEREAS, Mr. Charlie Musselwhite, a celebrated international blues harmonica virtuoso artist and guitarist, will receive the 2000 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts Artist Achievement Award on March 17, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts is a program coordinated by the Mississippi Arts Commission and hosted by Governor and Mrs. Ronnie Musgrove; and

WHEREAS, born in 1944 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Mr. Musselwhite went to school in Memphis, growing up in the music mix of rockabilly, Elvis Presley and blues greats Furry Lewis, Will Shade and the Memphis Jug Band; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 18, Mr. Musselwhite moved to Chicago where he began hanging out in blues clubs, sitting in with Little Walter, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf and playing with artists including Big Joe Williams, Big Walter Horton and Robert Nighthawk; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Musselwhite made his Vanguard recording debut in 1966 with "Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite Southside Blues Band," which became one of the first critically acclaimed blues albums by a white musician; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Musselwhite's international touring schedule is packed and he is frequently featured at festivals in Bergen, Norway, Finland, Madrid, Rio and Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Musselwhite has been featured on television shows, including Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, CBS This Morning and Live from the House of Blues; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Musselwhite, a six-time W.C. Handy Award Winner, has composed and recorded a song titled, "Clarksdale Boogie," in honor of the Clarksdale Sunflower River Blues Festival; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence of outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Charlie Musselwhite, whose music has touched the lives of people in the State of Mississippi and all over the world:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Charlie Musselwhite upon receiving the 2000 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Artist Achievement Award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Charlie Musselwhite and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.