MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Witherspoon, Butler, Frazier, Norwood, Blackmon, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Simmons (12th), Thomas, Turner-Ford, Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2020 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2020 recipients, which includes The Jackson Southernaires for Lifetime Achievement in Music; and
WHEREAS, established in 1988, Governor's Arts Awards are given to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding work in the artistic disciplines, as well as arts-based community development and arts patronage in Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor's Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts; and
WHEREAS, The Jackson Southernaires are a nearly 80-year-old gospel group and the first group in Mississippi to employ keyboards, guitar, drums and bass instruments in gospel, establishing a practice that continues today; and
WHEREAS, formed in 1940, the group began recording in 1969, with the release of "Too Late" on Song Bird Records. The group has released 28 albums, 11 of which have charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart; and
WHEREAS, the Gospel Music Workshop of America named The Jackson Southernaires its "Traditional Male Group of the Year" in 1987, 1988 and 1989. They won a Stellar Award in 1989 and were nominated for a Grammy in 1992 for Best Traditional Gospel Album for "Thank You Mama for Praying for Me"; 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 Jackson Southernaires, the recipient of the 2020 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music, and extend our congratulations to this mighty gospel group on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Jackson Southernaires as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.