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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a |
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variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of |
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the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and |
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WHEREAS, In the field of music, Texas has nurtured important |
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developments in a variety of genres, but of the many styles that |
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have thrived here, one is particularly emblematic of our state's |
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unique character: western swing; and |
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WHEREAS, A lively sound that has enjoyed enduring popularity |
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over the course of nearly a century, western swing reflects the |
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ethnic diversity of Texas by encompassing many of the musical |
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traditions that were introduced to the state by the groups that |
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settled here; and |
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WHEREAS, The genre, also known by the fitting name of Texas |
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swing, traces its origins to the 1920s and is rooted in the fiddle |
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music of Anglo, Irish, and Scottish immigrants; it borrows heavily |
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from many other sources, however, including such African American |
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influences as blues and jazz, the Hispanic genres of conjunto and |
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mariachi, and the polkas, waltzes, and schottisches brought to |
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Texas by German and Czech settlers; and |
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WHEREAS, Though western swing has become popular throughout |
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the Southwest and beyond, its origins are firmly tied to the Lone |
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Star State; growing out of the music that was played in the state's |
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small-town dance halls, the style became better known through the |
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work of Texans Milton Brown and Bob Wills, two of the most famous |
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and influential swing artists of all time; these pioneers formed |
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the Light Crust Doughboys in the Fort Worth area in the early 1930s |
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and then went on to even greater fame while leading individual bands |
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of their own; and |
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WHEREAS, A key to the appeal of this spirited music is its |
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exceptional ability to get people dancing; this quality, too, is |
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evocative of Texas, a state in which dance halls have historically |
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been central to the social life of its communities; today, the |
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foot-tapping tempo of western swing continues to be heard all |
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across our state, with countless Texans repeating the time-honored |
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steps that have been kicking up sawdust on Texas dance floors for |
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generations; and |
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WHEREAS, Born and bred in Texas, western swing is a musical |
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melting pot that represents the diverse groups that have |
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contributed to the growth and prosperity of our state and the |
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distinctive way of life that has flourished here, and it is indeed a |
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fitting symbol for the rich cultural heritage that is shared by all |
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Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate western swing as the official State Music of |
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Texas. |