House Resolution 139

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING MISSISSIPPI AS THE HOME AND BIRTHPLACE OF THE SOUTHERN SOUL MUSIC GENRE.

WHEREAS, Mississippi stands unparalleled in its historical contribution to American music, having given rise to genres such as the Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Country, and Rock & Roll, and being the cradle for legendary artists including Robert Johnson from Clarksdale, B.B. King from Indianola, Jimmie Rodgers from Meridian, Elvis Presley from Tupelo, and the globally celebrated Mississippi Mass Choir; and

WHEREAS, among these musical treasures, Southern Soul music shines brightly, capturing the hearts of an ever-expanding audience each day; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi, through iconic institutions such as Malaco Records, established in 1967, along with numerous private studios, has nurtured a rich environment for Southern Soul music, bringing to the forefront talents like Bobby Rush, Willie Clayton, Grady Champion, Vick Allen, Arthur Young, Big Yayo, Ms. Jody, Stephanie Luckett, J-Wonn, Big Mel, Young Guy, and Nellie Tiger Travis. This fertile musical landscape has also been home to LaMorris Williams, OB Buchana, Jaye Hammer, and Isaac Lindsey, further enriched by Vickie Baker, the Jay Morris Group, David Brinston, King Fred, JL Smith, Andre Lee, Adrena, Coco, LJ Echols, Ms Goldie, Lucille Bogan, Mose Allison, James Carr, Jerry Butler, SSK WISH, Mz. Dria, Teeza, Jones, JCenae, Oboi Dwayne, Delo Brown, Miron Simpson, Ray Ray Daniels, Jessica Ray, Breeze "Mrdo2much," Brutha Hubbard, Prince Kween, Lady Redtopp, Mazerati Red, Jake Carter, Bre Wooten, JL Thompson, Jennifer Watts, Narvell Echols, Kountry Kev, Carolyn Staten, Music Doll, John Haley, Dia Grover, Melodic Princess, 2smooth, Keneisha, Lil A 601, Prep Cashmere, Allen Mane, Denzel Dante, Compozitionz, Soul City Sons, and Sweet P, not forgetting the enduring legacies of the late Johnnie Taylor, Mel Waiters, Katrenia Jefferson, Marvin Sease, Billy "Soul" Bonds and Tyrone Davis; and

WHEREAS, each artist, in their unique way, has passionately contributed their voice to the Southern Soul genre, showcasing their talents and sharing their musical gifts with every performance and platform offered to them; and

WHEREAS, disc jockeys have been instrumental in the vitality of Southern Soul music, serving as key figures in its circulation among listeners. Notably, individuals such as Uncle BoBo, Jerry "Boogie" Mason, Charles "Ragman" Johnson, James "Handy Man" Price, Jimmy Jam, DJ Outlaw, DJ Queen Bee, Brother Love, John "The Legendary J Faulk" Faulkner, David Doc Shanks, Mr. T, ThaBeatAholic DJ 783, DJ Bigg V, Cousin Chief, Mississippi King the Southern Soul Jody, DJ Big O', DJ Black, DJ Flavor, Randy "Wildman" Brown, Sheree "Lady Sheree", Annie "Lil' Miss Soul" Fairly, and DJ Cee have significantly contributed to the genre's growth and reach, showcasing Southern Soul music across various platforms and venues, thereby enriching the musical landscape and ensuring the genre's vibrant presence in the hearts of listeners; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi has been at the forefront of promoting Southern Soul, through pioneering radio stations such as WRTM 100.5, WMPR 90.1, WGNL 104.3, Blues 93.1, and many more stations contribute to this recognition. Mississippi has also produced the prestigious Jackson Music Awards for the past 50 years, celebrating the achievements of Southern Soul artists locally, statewide, and internationally; and

WHEREAS, the advancement of Southern Soul culture has significantly benefited from the efforts of dedicated promoters. Among them, Mr. Lee King of Lee King Entertainment and Mr. Jesse Thompson, who not only initiated the Jackson Music Awards but also, with their 95 years of combined experience, have played a crucial role in supporting Southern Soul artists. Furthermore, promoters such as Yolanda Singleton with Xperience Jackson and many more have made substantial contributions by endorsing Southern Soul music at the local, regional, national, and international levels; and

WHEREAS, key organizations and companies, including the Southern Soul Foundation, Southern Soul Media Group, and Southern Soul Music Society, have played vital roles in supporting artists and facilitating the dissemination of Southern Soul music to the broader public; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is home of the second oldest festival in Mississippi and the oldest Southern Soul festival in the world, the "Farish Street Heritage Festival," holding that record for 39 years to date; and

WHEREAS, the "Farish Street Heritage Festival" features several stages of live entertainment presenting local, regional and national artists and performers, as well as providing an extravaganza for the entire family, offering a diverse array of cultural programming in Mississippi, and exposing festival participants to artists that cannot be frequently seen; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi has produced an endless list of Southern Soul artists who have not only created, but has also transformed this musical genre into what it has become, and provides irrefutable credence to capital city's motto, branding and marketing itself as the "City With Soul"; and

WHEREAS, on June 11, 2019, the Jackson City Council spearheaded by then Councilman DeKeither Stamps now declared the Commissioner of Southern Soul and Trail Rides, took a significant step in further cementing the city's role in the musical landscape by unanimously approving a declaration that proclaimed the City of Jackson as "the home and birthplace of Southern Soul"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to champion the promotional efforts of its cities and towns to highlight the best of their offerings in the form of resources, history, attractions, education, arts and entertainment, just as the City of Jackson has in establishing itself as the crown jewel musicality in relation to birthing the Southern Soul music genre:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge the rich musical history that is synonymous with the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and acknowledge Mississippi as the home and birthplace of the Southern Soul music genre.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the City of Jackson's Mayor and City Council, the president of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.