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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of a respected figure in the Texas music |
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community drew to a close with the passing of Johnnie Ray High, Jr., |
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of Bedford on March 17, 2010, at the age of 80; and |
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WHEREAS, As the founder and owner of Johnnie High's Country |
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Music Revue, this noted impresario helped launch the careers of |
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numerous entertainment stars, and his long-running variety show was |
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beloved by countless North Texas music fans and musicians; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on May 1, 1929, in Robinson, Mr. High grew up in |
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McGregor and got his hands on his first guitar at age 13; a year |
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later, he began his own live radio show in Waco, singing and playing |
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for the station's early morning listeners five days a week; and |
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WHEREAS, Though he was a skilled musician in his own right, he |
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later became increasingly interested in helping others to find a |
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place in the spotlight; in 1974, he and a partner bought the Palace |
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Theatre in Grapevine and began presenting the Grapevine Opry, which |
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later developed into Johnnie High's Country Music Revue; rather |
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than focusing on established stars, Mr. High specialized in |
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developing new talent, and he soon proved his gift for recognizing |
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exceptional performers; and |
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WHEREAS, During the 35 years that he produced his weekly |
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show, many of the artists he featured went on to major show business |
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success, among them LeAnn Rimes, the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, |
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and Gary Morris; while this generous promoter had a well-deserved |
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reputation for creating stars, he was equally devoted to less |
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famous individuals seeking to develop their musical talents; each |
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year, hundreds of people took part in his show's open auditions, and |
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Mr. High was renowned for the kind advice and encouragement that he |
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provided to each of them; and |
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WHEREAS, The show moved to the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort |
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Worth after its initial years in Grapevine, and it was later staged |
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at the Shannon Auditorium in Haltom City; since 1995, it has been |
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based at the Arlington Music Hall, and its presence there played a |
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part in sparking a resurgence in the city's central business |
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district; in recognition of Mr. High's contributions to the local |
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community, he was named the city's Man of the Year in 1999 and was |
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inducted into the Arlington Business Hall of Fame in 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. High also gave back to his fellow citizens by |
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supporting worthwhile causes such as the American Cancer Society |
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and the American Heart Association; his humanitarian work was |
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acknowledged when he received the Anson Jones Award from the Fort |
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Worth Scottish Rite Foundation in 2003, and his honors also |
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included induction into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the |
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Miss Texas Organization Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. High enjoyed the love |
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and support of his wife, Wanda, and the two enjoyed a rewarding |
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marriage that spanned 61 years; he had the satisfaction of having |
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several members of his family go to work at the revue, including his |
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granddaughter, Ashley Smith, who has performed on the show since |
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childhood and cohosted it with her grandfather in recent years; and |
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WHEREAS, With his dedication and his passion for the music he |
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loved, Johnnie High pioneered an iconic Texas entertainment show |
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that has had an enduring and positive influence on numerous people |
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over the course of three and a half decades, and his contributions |
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to country music and to his community will continue to be |
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appreciated for years to come; now, therefore, be 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 life of Johnnie Ray High, Jr., |
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and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Wanda High; to his daughter, Luanne Dorman, and her husband, |
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Johnny; to his grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Trey Dorman and his |
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wife, Ashley, and Jared Dorman; and to his other relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Johnnie |
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High. |
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Patrick |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 396 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on March 3, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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