1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 745 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing the Men of Music and in welcoming each member of the 1-5 group to the State Capitol on May 15, 1997; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The newest group on the Southern Gospel circuit, the 1-7 Men of Music is a dynamic ensemble that brings decades of music and 1-8 ministerial experience together; the highly talented members of Men 1-9 of Music are Cleon Yates, Buddy Burton, Bobby Clark, Jim Wesson, and 1-10 Mike Bullock; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The Men of Music offers audiences a fresh treatment 1-12 of traditional styles and includes voices that have been part of 1-13 some of the greatest groups in Southern Gospel history; full of 1-14 energy and eager to share their message, the members of the Men of 1-15 Music sing Texas patriotic songs and Southern Gospel music in its 1-16 purest form; and 1-17 WHEREAS, This unique group began with a desire in the heart 1-18 of successful businessman Cleon Yates, a leader in corporate 1-19 America, whose first passion had been Gospel singing; a longtime 1-20 Austin resident, Mr. Yates began his career as a staff member of 1-21 the Department of Physics at The University of Texas; he then 1-22 entered the private sector by developing quartz semiconductor 1-23 products for use in the microchip industry, and he soon became a 2-1 major supplier to corporations around the world; and 2-2 WHEREAS, After devoting much of his life to honing engineering 2-3 skills and to the microchip industry, this successful entrepreneur 2-4 decided to dedicate more of his time to Gospel singing; Cleon Yates 2-5 began searching for a group, and fortunately he met up with 2-6 Buddy Burton, Bobby Clark, and Jim Wesson at Charlie Waller's 2-7 Grand Ole Gospel Reunion in Greenville, South Carolina; the Men of 2-8 Music was established shortly thereafter and was later joined by the 2-9 talented Mike Bullock, whose bass voice was the perfect complement 2-10 to the group; each of these men is tremendously gifted and brings a 2-11 wealth of experience to the group; and 2-12 WHEREAS, An accomplished singer and pianist and one of the 2-13 greatest stage managers in Southern Gospel, Buddy Burton brings 2-14 to Men of Music a rich heritage; he has performed with some of the 2-15 pioneering groups of Southern Gospel, including the legendary 2-16 Hovie Lister and the Statesmen and the Smitty Gatlin Trio; he is 2-17 also an ordained minister who has served as pastor of numerous 2-18 congregations across the country; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Bobby Clark holds a doctorate in theology and has 2-20 founded centers of worship and education; he has studied under 2-21 a renowned performer at New York City's Metropolitan Opera, and 2-22 his crystal tenor voice has been featured in such Gospel quartets 2-23 as the Cathedrals, Oak Ridge Quartet, and Dixie Echoes; he has 2-24 provided background vocals for Marty Robbins, Jimmy Dean, and 2-25 Hank Snow; and 3-1 WHEREAS, Jim Wesson was a member of the Chuck Wagon Gang, 3-2 a highly successful group that performed in such places as 3-3 Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl; Jim Wesson is the first 3-4 artist to release a solo recording project in the Southern Gospel 3-5 industry; he also joined forces with his brother to create an album 3-6 still considered ahead of its time in the world of music; and 3-7 WHEREAS, Alabama native Mike Bullock is a veteran singer whose 3-8 extensive experience includes years of singing with the well-known 3-9 Dixie Echoes; Mike Bullock was unanimously chosen by the members of 3-10 the Men of Music, and his beautiful deep bass voice is considered a 3-11 major asset to the group; now, therefore, be it 3-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-13 75th Legislature, hereby commend the members of the Men of Music 3-14 on their talent and dedication and declare them singing ambassadors 3-15 of Texas; and, be it further 3-16 RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be prepared for the 3-17 Men of Music as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 3-18 Wentworth 3-19 ______________________________________ 3-20 President of the Senate 3-21 I hereby certify that the above 3-22 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-23 on May 15, 1997. 3-24 ______________________________________ 3-25 Secretary of the Senate 3-26 ______________________________________ 3-27 Member, Texas Senate