MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Barnett, Blackmon, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner-Ford, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE CANTON SPIRITUALS AS RECIPIENTS OF THE 2019 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2019 recipients, which includes the Canton Spirituals for Lifetime Achievement; and
WHEREAS, the Canton Spirituals are one of the nation's most popular and influential gospel groups. The group pioneered an urban sound, which blends R&B and the blues with gospel; and
WHEREAS, for more than four decades, the Canton Spirituals have mixed blues and R&B with traditional gospel, creating a sound that is all their own. The group's innovative blend has been recognized worldwide for its excellence; and
WHEREAS, more than 40 years ago, they released "That's My Train Fare Home," their first of 20 releases. They have won or been nominated numerous times for every major music industry award, including GRAMMY Awards, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Dove Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards. Their 1993 album, "Live in Memphis," was nominated for a Grammy. They have two Gold-certified recordings, and their songs "It's Gonna Rain," "Mississippi Poor Boy," "Fix It Jesus," "Glad I Got Jesus" and "Heavenly Choir" are in recurrent rotation on gospel radio across the country; and
WHEREAS, the original Canton Spirituals were founded in 1943 in Canton, Mississippi, and still perform today. Decades later, original member Harvey Lee Watkins, Sr., handed leadership of the group to his son, charismatic Vocalist Harvey Lee Watkins, Jr., who has helped propel the group to new heights; and
WHEREAS, demand for their live performances has taken them to venues across the United States and abroad. They have one of the most loyal fan bases in gospel music; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the talent of a world-class Mississippi gospel group that has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the musical traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to the Canton Spirituals, a recipient of the 2019 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, and extend our congratulations to this mighty gospel group on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Canton Spirituals as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.