Senate Concurrent Resolution 642

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CELEBRATING AND COMMENDING THE CAREER OF LEGENDARY GOSPEL MUSIC STARS THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES.

WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires, one of America's most outstanding gospel recording groups, was formed by Frank Crisler in 1940 in Jackson, Mississippi, and are currently celebrating their 70-year Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires were the first Gospel group in the State of Mississippi to use the guitar, base, drum and keyboard in their stage performances. Over a 70-year span, The Jackson Southernaires have shared the stage with more than 15 members. In 1965, it was Frank Williams who introduced Huey Williams to the music of The Jackson Southernaires; Huey was singing with the Southern Gospel Singers during that time. It was in the late 1960s, after Huey joined The Jackson Southernaires, that their music caught the attention of Duke/Peacock Records. In 1968 the group released the single Too Late, which became one of Duke/Peacock Records' largest selling albums; and

WHEREAS, in 1972, on the ABC/Dunhill Label, the album Look Around was released and in 1974, Save My Child was released. The albums Look Around and Save My Child charted nationally and brought the group worldwide acclaim. In 1975, Malaco Records signed The Jackson Southernaires as the first Gospel group for this blues and R&B record company. It was The Jackson Southernaires that set the standard for the other Gospel artists soon to be signed under Malaco Records. The release of the album Down Home drew national recognition for both The Jackson Southernaires and Malaco Records. In 1979, the group received a Grammy nomination for the hit song Teddy Bear. The group left Malaco in 2005 to start their own record label, JS Records. On this label, the album Reality was released; and

WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires have many accomplishments in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. For more than 40 years they produced and hosted a Sunday morning Gospel radio show and hosted a television program entitled "Gospel Unlimited" for five years. The members of The Jackson Southernaires are not only singers, musicians and performers, they are also producers and songwriters. Many of the songs were penned by the members themselves. This type of talent has given them 19 Top Ten Albums, four of which have been Number One selling albums; and

WHEREAS, from 1986 to 1988, The Jackson Southernaires received awards from the Gospel Music Workshop of America. The year 1987 brought with it a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards as Traditional Male Group. In 1989, not only did they receive the Stellar Award for "Traditional Male Group of the Year" but they also received a Stellar Award for their album, On the Third Day. This album was ranked as one of the group's best selling albums; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, The Jackson Southernaires were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan. They have been nominated three times for Grammy Awards and nominated for over 20 Stellar Awards. They were inductees into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame for the years 2002 and 2004; and

WHEREAS, in October 2008, The Jackson Southernaires released the new album, Destiny, under the Blackberry Records Label. Never losing sight of their hometown, Jackson, Mississippi, they were the Grand Marshals for the City of Jackson, Mississippi's 2008 Christmas Parade. It was on this same day that the former Mayor of Jackson, The Honorable Frank E. Melton, officially named December 6th as "The Jackson Southernaires Day"; and

WHEREAS, the members of The Jackson Southernaires are Huey (Paul) Williams, Sr., Maurice Surrell, Sr., and James Burks, all native Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, for 70 years The Jackson Southernaires have graced the world with their music and God-given talent. Although there have been many changes with musicians, vocalists, and record labels, there has been one thing that has stood the test of time: the fact that The Jackson Southernaires are true legendary gentlemen of Gospel music:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby celebrate and commend the career of legendary gospel music stars, The Jackson Southernaires, and extend our best wishes as they mark their 70th Anniversary Celebration.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Jackson Southernaires, forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.