By Dutton                                              H.R. No. 674
         76R11442 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On April 23, 1999, renowned musician Calvin Owens of
 1-2     Houston will celebrate his 70th birthday, and this momentous
 1-3     occasion is truly worthy of special recognition; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Owens grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward in a
 1-5     neighborhood known as "Sawdust Alley," and he was inspired to take
 1-6     up the trumpet by his mother's stories of the legendary Louis
 1-7     Armstrong; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, He worked the graveyard shift at a bowling alley to
 1-9     save enough money to buy his first trumpet, and for many years was
1-10     a fixture in the Houston music scene, as well as a performer in a
1-11     vaudeville review, before joining B. B. King in 1953; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Through two tenures as the leader of B. B. King's
1-13     band and a solo career that features such unique and soulful works
1-14     as "True Blue," Mr. Owens has earned a singular place in the annals
1-15     of blues and jazz and is affectionately known by many as "Maestro";
1-16     and
1-17           WHEREAS, Renowned across the globe for his phenomenal talent,
1-18     he has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London,
1-19     recorded six original compositions for Belgian radio and
1-20     television, arranged musical numbers for Johnny Carson's "Tonight
1-21     Show," "The Merv Griffin Show," and the "Jack Jones Show," and
1-22     performed on "Austin City Limits"; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The "Maestro" recently added yet another memorable
1-24     chapter to his legacy of musical excellence with the release of his
 2-1     new album Another Concept; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Calvin Owens has brought joy and beauty into the
 2-3     lives of countless jazz and blues lovers, and as he celebrates his
 2-4     70th birthday, it is indeed appropriate that he be honored for his
 2-5     many achievements; now, therefore, be it
 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-7     Legislature hereby congratulate Calvin Owens on the joyous occasion
 2-8     of his 70th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for
 2-9     continued success and happiness; and, be it further
2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-11     prepared for Mr. Owens as an expression of high regard by the Texas
2-12     House of Representatives.