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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The year 2010 marked the 20th anniversary of the |
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death of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the passage of that milestone |
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provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on the life and music of |
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this Texas guitar legend; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early morning hours of August 27, 1990, Mr. |
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Vaughan, then just 35 years of age, was killed in a helicopter crash |
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following a concert in Wisconsin; while his tragic death robbed the |
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world of a tremendous talent, it could not diminish the many |
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achievements this gifted musician realized during his short but |
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brilliant career; and |
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WHEREAS, The pride of Oak Cliff, he was born in that Dallas |
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community in 1954 and began playing in area bands while still a |
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student in junior high school; at age 17, he headed for Austin, |
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developing his explosive, blues-based style in the city's music |
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clubs; Stevie Ray's years of hard work began to pay off after he |
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began performing with his legendary backup group, Double Trouble, |
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in the early 1980s; he got his first widespread exposure when he |
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played guitar on the David Bowie album Let's Dance, and he released |
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his own debut, Texas Flood, in 1983 to rave reviews; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the next seven years, Stevie Ray Vaughan |
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claimed his spot as one of the most influential rock and blues |
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guitarists of all time, with his smoldering fret work inspiring |
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everyone from music superstars to kids trying to learn their first |
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chords; all five albums he released during his lifetime became |
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million sellers, and his artistry was recognized with five Grammy |
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Awards, two of which were bestowed after his death; he also received |
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numerous other honors, and he and Double Trouble sold out concert |
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halls around the globe; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his professional success, this |
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revered musician was able to overcome his addiction to drugs and |
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alcohol in the mid-1980s, and in the years that followed, he lent a |
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helping hand to other musicians who struggled with substance abuse; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Stevie Ray Vaughan's popularity has endured in the |
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decades since his passing, with younger generations embracing his |
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masterful guitar playing and heartfelt singing; fiery, evocative, |
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and full of Texas soul, his music has earned a special place in the |
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annals of American popular culture and is a source of pride and joy |
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for countless residents of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan |
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following the 20th anniversary of his death and honor his |
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contributions to our state's rich musical heritage. |