House Concurrent Resolution 50

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BUD HUDDLESTON TO BLUEGRASS MUSIC, HONORING HIM AS AMBASSADOR OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI BLUEGRASS AND DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 6, 2010, AS BUD HUDDLESTON DAY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Bud Huddleston, an iconic music legend in North Mississippi, after more than 50 years continues to thrill audiences with personal appearances as well as with his Bluegrass and Bluegrass/Gospel radio programs on Saturday and Sunday mornings on KUDZU FM 104.9; and

WHEREAS, on Saturday, February 6, 2010, Mr. Huddleston, a native and lifelong resident of Tippah County, who is known for his legendary fiddle work as cofounder, along with his late wife, Hazel, of the Shady Valley Bluegrass Band, will be honored by the Community of Ripley, Mississippi, in observation of "Bud Huddleston Day"; and

WHEREAS, both Bud and Hazel played music from childhood and learned from family members, and attributed a 1979 encounter with Bluegrass musician, Clarence Goodrum, as having significantly changed their career, allowing them to permanently transition to playing mountain music; and

WHEREAS, since 1982 Bud has been a fixture on the airwaves on KUDZU FM 102, covering a large portion of North Mississippi, Northwest Alabama and Southwest Tennessee, in addition to his KUDZU FM 104.9 weekend programs; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Huddleston's influence is also felt through the numerous benefits to which he and his late wife donated their time and talents, having sponsored the Tippah Lake Bluegrass Festival in Ripley, Mississippi, on the Saturday following Labor Day for more than 20 years, expanding from a meeting of less than 100 persons under a pavilion to a full festival with crowds of 700 or more; and

WHEREAS, carrying on the traditions implemented by himself and Hazel, Bud continues to host an annual trail ride and music festival in Whittentown in memory of a grandson and performs at the Tippah County Fair, the Bluegrass festival in Ripley and other festivals all over North Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, honored by the Tennessee Legislature in 2008 with the designation of July 18, as the annual state observance of "Bud Huddleston Day" in McNairy County, Tennessee, for his contributions and his family's endeavors to preserve and promote Country and Bluegrass music, it is an undisputed fact that Bud Huddleston is ubiquitous on the North Mississippi Bluegrass scene; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize such a remarkably talented individual such as Mr. Huddleston whose musical niche is nothing short of a stroke of genius:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the contributions of Bud Huddleston to Bluegrass music, honor him as Ambassador of North Mississippi Bluegrass and designate February 6, 2010, as Bud Huddleston Day in the State of Mississippi.

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