MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2000 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Stevens
House Concurrent Resolution 82
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
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.