By Davis of Dallas H.R. No. 129 76R5568 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Willie Neal "The Country Boy" Johnson has been 1-2 selected as African American Achiever for January 1999 by Trinity 1-3 Mother Frances Health Systems and the Ebony News Journal, and this 1-4 prestigious honor is indeed well deserved; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Tyler, Texas, Mr. Johnson was the eldest 1-6 of six children in the household, and from an early age his parents 1-7 taught their family to embrace the joy of music; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was in his teens when the Reverend C. W. 1-9 Jackson recognized his budding talent and persuaded him to join the 1-10 Five Ways of Joy Gospel Singers; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Several years later, he organized a new group 1-12 comprising singers from his hometown, and Willie Neal Johnson and 1-13 The Gospel Keynotes was born; the ensemble quickly became one of 1-14 the area's most renowned musical acts and in 1964 The Gospel 1-15 Keynotes signed a contract with Nashboro Records; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The group saw several members arrive and depart 1-17 through the years, and for a time its name was changed to Willie 1-18 Neal Johnson and the New Keynotes, but at all times Mr. Johnson 1-19 maintained the group's magical musical presence; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Among the many accolades earned by Mr. Johnson as a 1-21 member of The Gospel Keynotes are three Stellar Awards, the 1-22 inaugural James Cleveland Excellence Award, a Dove Award for "Ride 1-23 the Ship of Zion," a 1980 Grammy nomination for "Ain't No Stoppin' 1-24 Us Now," and gold record status for their 1974 hit song "Jesus 2-1 You've Been Good to Me"; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his illustrious career, 2-3 Willie Neal Johnson has set standards of artistic excellence to 2-4 which all musicians can aspire, and it is indeed appropriate that 2-5 he be recognized in light of his most recent honor; now, therefore, 2-6 be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby congratulate Willie Neal "The Country Boy" 2-9 Johnson on being named African American Achiever of the Month for 2-10 January 1999 and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued 2-11 success; and, be it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-13 prepared for Mr. Johnson as an expression of high regard by the 2-14 Texas House of Representatives.