H.R. No. 766

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, World-renowned musician Leonardo "Flaco" Jiménez of San Antonio was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences on February 7, 2015; and

WHEREAS, The son of prominent conjunto musician Santiago Jiménez Sr., Flaco Jiménez exhibited a natural talent for the accordion at an early age and gained experience as a performer by sitting in with his father at live shows; at 15 years old, he formed his first band, Los Caporales, and the group gained an impressive hometown following after releasing albums on a local label and playing a weekly spot on a television variety show; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1960s, Mr. Jiménez began collaborating with Douglas Sahm, the founder of the Sir Douglas Quintet, and he was later hired as a session musician for Mr. Sahm's 1973 solo debut for Atlantic Records, Doug Sahm and Band, which also featured Bob Dylan and Dr. John; in 1977, Mr. Jiménez signed with Arhoolie Records and issued his first album as a leader, Flaco Jiménez y Su Conjunto, and over the next decade, he toured extensively and released a number of live and studio efforts, including a remake of his father's song "Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio," which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jiménez entered a new era of success in 1988 when he was featured on the Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens duet "Streets of Bakersfield," which became a major country hit; after joining Mr. Yoakam on tour, he teamed up again with Mr. Sahm along with Freddy Fender and Augie Meyers to form the Texas Tornados, and the band soon signed with Reprise Records and released its debut album, Soy de San Luis, which spawned the hit single "(Hey Baby) Que Paso" and earned Mr. Jiménez his second Grammy Award; and

WHEREAS, He subsequently inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records and released his 1992 effort, Partners, which included such notable guests as Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Los Lobos; in 1994, he was featured on the Rolling Stones album Voodoo Lounge and also issued his Grammy Award-winning self-titled debut for Arista Records, and he eventually reunited with the Texas Tornados to complete their final record in 1996; two years later, he recorded his solo album Said and Done on Virgin Records as well as the self-titled debut for the supergroup Los Super Seven, each of which netted him a Grammy; and

WHEREAS, Since the turn of the millennium, Mr. Jiménez has remained a prolific musician and has continued to receive well-deserved recognition for his exceptional work; in addition to his six gramophone statuettes, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Billboard Latin Magazine and a 2012 National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, and he has been inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame and the International Latin Music Hall of Fame; moreover, the musical instrument company Hohner paid tribute to him with the dedication of its Flaco Jiménez Signature Accordion; and

WHEREAS, For more than six decades, Flaco Jiménez has led a stellar career across a broad spectrum of musical genres and has captivated listeners around the globe with his masterful artistry, and he is indeed worthy of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Flaco Jiménez on his receipt of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and commend him for his contributions to the musical legacy of the Lone Star State; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Jiménez as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Rodriguez of Bexar

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 766 was adopted by the House on March 12, 2015, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House