Senate Concurrent Resolution 571

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI BLUES LEGEND LITTLE MILTON (CAMPBELL) UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE 2003 GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF BLUES AMBASSADOR.

WHEREAS, one of the blues' foremost artists by anybody's standards is Little Milton. The guitar master has the licks and the hits to prove it, remaining at the forefront as one of the blues' greatest pioneers; and

WHEREAS, one of his recent milestones was his receipt of the 2003 Governor's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of Blues Ambassador; and

WHEREAS, Little Milton (Campbell) was born in a sharecropper's home just outside of Inverness, Mississippi. As a child, he found an early connection to country and western music and later fused that connection with gospel and blues. In his youth Milton began studying what he heard, mastering songs and reciting them no matter the style or difficulty. By his teens, he was performing in local clubs and bars across the Delta; and

WHEREAS, as Milton grew, he attracted the attention of established acts and local record labels. In the early 1950's, the seasoned performer was introduced by Ike Turner to Sam Phillips of Sun Records, where he recorded his debut single, Beggin' My Baby. Milton later moved to Bobbin Records, where he became Bobbin's A&R chief and working partner and where he recorded his first hit, I'm A Lonely Man, in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Milton's success drew the attention of Chess Records, who signed him to Chess Checkers label. In 1965, he recorded "We're Gonna Make It", which hit No. 1 on Billboard's R&B singles chart. From 1962 to 1971, he registered many hits that would become American blues classics. In 1983, he released his only album for MCA, Age Ain't Nothin But A Number. The title cut was an instant charted hit. In 1984, Milton united with Jackson, Mississippi-based Malaco Records and became one of the company's biggest selling artists. He won the 1988 W.C. Handy Blues Entertainer of the Year Award and received a 2000 Grammy Award nomination. He also was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. In 2001 Milton had a successful run of sold-out shows in Europe and released his most recent CD, Fell It; and

WHEREAS, Little Milton calls the blues "the most meaningful music because the blues comes from the soul, it's a true expression of what you feel"; and

WHEREAS, many of Little Milton's Malaco cuts that have become American blues standards including: Annie Mae's Cafe, The Blues Is Alright, Little Bluebird, Room 244, Strugglin' Lady, I was Trying Not To Break Down, Catch You On Your Way Down, Murder On Your Hands and Comeback Kind Of Love; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this blues legend who has brought honor to the Delta Community and to the entire State of Mississippi:

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 blues legend and Mississippi Delta native Little Milton (Campbell) upon his receipt of the 2003 Governor's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of Blues Ambassador, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Little Milton at induction ceremonies on February 28, 2003, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.