88R6419 EME-D
 
  By: Springer S.R. No. 73
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, For a half century, singer and guitarist Joe Paul
  Nichols distinguished himself as one of the Lone Star State's
  premier country and gospel musicians; and
         WHEREAS, The son of O. W. and Myrtle Nichols, Joe Paul
  Nichols was born in Cundiff in 1941; he learned to play guitar at
  age nine, and his first break in the music industry came when he was
  hired to contribute to the weekly country show Cowtown Hoedown;
  after graduating from Jacksboro High School in 1960, he was a
  regular performer on the Big D Jamboree television program; and
         WHEREAS, In 1970, Mr. Nichols formed his own band, The Five
  Pennies, and the group gained acclaim with their blend of country,
  western swing, and country gospel music; over the course of his
  prolific career, he shared the stage with numerous country music
  luminaries and recorded 26 albums and more than 300 songs; he scored
  a number one hit on the country gospel charts with "Jesus is the
  Same in California," and in 2006, his song "Eleven Eighteen Nadine
  Lane" captured Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Western
  Artists; among his numerous accolades, he was inducted into the
  Texas International Music Association Hall of Fame, and the
  International Country Gospel Music Association named its lifetime
  achievement award in his honor; moreover, he served as the music
  director at Cundiff Baptist Church for 48 years; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols maintained a day job throughout his
  musical career, working as a state inspector for the Texas
  Department of Transportation for 34 years and serving as the county
  commissioner in Jack County for a decade; he retired from music in
  2008 and passed away on July 27, 2011, at the age of 69; and
         WHEREAS, With his exceptional talent and dedication to his
  craft, Joe Paul Nichols earned a special place in the hearts of
  innumerable people, and his musical legacy will continue to
  resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
  hereby commend Joe Paul Nichols for his contributions to country
  and gospel music and pay tribute to the life and legacy of this
  beloved Texas musician; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do
  so in honor of Joe Paul Nichols.