TO RECOGNIZE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018 AND THE SECOND TUESDAY IN MARCH OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER AS "SOUTH CAROLINA BANJO DAY" IN HONOR OF TODD "BANJOMAN" TAYLOR'S MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are pleased to recognize Todd "Banjoman" Taylor as an outstanding citizen who has positively impacted the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Todd "Banjoman" Taylor first fell in love with the banjo at six years old and has since enjoyed a music career spanning three decades. Mr. Taylor may be best known for his unique style, which allows him to bridge musical genres; and

Whereas, he has performed on the Grand Ole Opry with music legends Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe and on a number of TV shows, including Hee-Haw and Regis and Kathy Lee. He was the first solo banjo musician featured on the Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 internationally syndicated radio program and was also featured in the documentary Breaking and Entering; and

Whereas, in 2011, Mr. Taylor released his rock and blues tablature book, Pickin' Over the Speed Limit; and

Whereas, he has earned dozens of Grammy nominations over the past decade in multiple categories, from original song composition to producing. Mr. Taylor's eighth and latest CD, Indescribable, earned six Grammy nominations; and

Whereas, in 2007, Mr. Taylor was the first to set the Guinness World Record for fastest banjo by performing both parts of "Dueling Banjos" at an outstanding 210 beats per minute. He dedicated his achievement to all who struggle to overcome a disease or an obstacle in their lives; and

Whereas, Mr. Taylor has donated his time to a number of charities, namely the Muscular Dystrophy Association, having discovered in his twenties that he had inherited a mitochondrial disease from his mother. He performed on the MDA telethon with Jerry Lewis on more than one occasion, increasing awareness of the disease and helping to raise funds for the organization's tireless efforts; and

Whereas, in 2012, Mr. Taylor received the Order of the Palmetto, the State's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his musical contributions to the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to pay tribute to the accomplishments and public service of this son of South Carolina by annually recognizing the second Tuesday in March as "South Carolina Banjo Day." Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize Wednesday, March 14, 2018 and the second Tuesday in March of each year thereafter as "South Carolina Banjo Day" in honor of Todd "Banjoman" Taylor's musical contributions to the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Todd Taylor.