SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1056

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Marcia Ball for her many contributions to the music industry; and

WHEREAS, For more than three decades, Marcia Ball has delighted audiences around the world with her infectious brand of rollicking yet intelligent and deeply emotional southern boogie and roadhouse blues; and

WHEREAS, A native of Orange, Texas, Marcia grew up in Vinton, Louisiana, where she began playing piano at the age of five, showing an interest in the New Orleans-style playing of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair; in 1970, while living in Austin, she started the progressive country band Freda and the Firedogs, and she began her solo career in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Marcia is known for her piano style, a mixture of various genres, including zydeco and blues; she has built an enormous and incredibly loyal following with her successful studio work and non-stop touring; and

WHEREAS, Marcia has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including National Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion, and Martin Scorsese's The Blues, which aired nationwide on public television in 2003; she has been nominated for three Grammy awards, and in 1998 she received the W. C. Handy Blues Award for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year; she is certainly deserving of recognition for her many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby commend Marcia Ball for her outstanding work in the field of music and extend to her best wishes in all her future endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 15, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate