Bill Text: MS SC509 | 2011 | 1st Special Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Commend the life and legacy of Mississippi Blues Legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards of Shaw, Mississippi.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-6)
Status: (Passed) 2011-09-07 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC509 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-SC509-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons, Horhn, Burton, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Harden, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (32nd), Jones, Montgomery
Senate Concurrent Resolution 509
(As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MISSISSIPPI BLUES LEGEND DAVID "HONEYBOY" EDWARDS FROM SHAW, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Grammy-Winning Blues Musician David "Honeyboy" Edwards, believed to be the oldest surviving Mississippi Delta Bluesman and whose roots stretched back to Blues Legend Robert Johnson, died Monday, August 29, 2011, in his Chicago home; he was 96; and
WHEREAS, David "Honeyboy" Edwards was born on June 28, 1915, in Shaw, Mississippi. Honeyboy was one of the last living links to Robert Johnson, and one of the last original Acoustic Delta Blues players. He was a living legend, and his story is truly part of history; and
WHEREAS, Honeyboy learned guitar from his father growing up in Shaw, Mississippi, in the 1920s at age 17. He was one of the last Delta Bluesmen who played with all of the legendary blues veterans, including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tommy Johnson, Magic Sam, Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Walter, Little Walter and Charlie Patton; and
WHEREAS, he came to Chicago in the 1940s and played on Maxwell Street in small clubs and on street corners. By the 1950s Edwards had played with almost every bluesman of note. Among Edwards' hit songs were "Long Tall Woman Blues," "Gamblin' Man" and "Just Like Jesses James." Edwards played his last shows in April 2011 at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Edwards won a 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Edwards also received the 2007 Handy Blues Award for Acoustic Blues Artists and was honored by the Mississippi Blues Commission and the City of Shaw, Mississippi, in April 2007 for a place on the Mississippi Blues Trail; and
WHEREAS, the term "Blues" means African-American roots music and the culture that created it; and it is with great sadness that we note the passing of this pioneer Mississippi Blues Musician who was acknowledged by the National Music Industry and was a positive Ambassador for the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mississippi Blues Legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards from Shaw, Mississippi, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family and our thanks for his contribution to the culture, history and music of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of David Edwards and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
