Bill Text: MS SC556 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Mississippi Songwriter and Recording Artist, Steve Azar, as Music and Culture Ambassador for 2017.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC556 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC556-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 556
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MISSISSIPPI SONGWRITER-RECORDING ARTIST STEVE AZAR, AS UNOFFICIAL MUSIC AND CULTURE AMBASSADOR FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WELCOMING HIM ON THE OCCASION OF THE MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION ON JANUARY 25, 2017.
WHEREAS, Steve Azar is a modern-day renaissance man, hit Songwriter, Recording Artist, Music Producer, Golfer and Philanthropist. Steve calls his own breed of music "Delta Soul," a mixture of country, rock and blues; and
WHEREAS, his debut album "Waitin' On Joe" was released in 2001. The title track went to No. 1 on the Country Music Television (CMT) Charts and featured Academy Award-Winning Actor Morgan Freeman. From the same album the hit single "I Don't Have To Be Me Til Monday," Steve received three "Million-Air Awards" from BMI and is one of the top five most played songs of the past decade on Country Radio. Taylor Swift told People Magazine in 2010 that her favorite song of the year was Steve Azar's "Sunshine." "Slide On Over Here," featuring the hit single "Sunshine," was spotlighted in Oprah's O Magazine in her Top Things to Buy At Christmas edition in 2011. "Sunshine" was also featured in Us Weekly Magazine in June 2012 as one of the most popular celebrity wedding songs; and
WHEREAS, Steve has written and recorded songs for film as well as had the role of Music Supervisor. "Doin' It Right" (Delta Mix) from the latest release "Delta Soul Volume One" was the feature track for Sony Pictures' 2013 movie "Here Comes the Boom" starring Kevin James and Salma Hayek. As a Songwriter, Reba McEntire, among many others, have cut his songs. In 2007, Azar was personally chosen by Bob Seger to perform 46 shows on what was rated the No. 1 Tour in America by Pollstar Magazine; and
WHEREAS, an accomplished golfer, Steve has been ranked one of the Top Five Musicians Who Play Golf by Gold Digest Magazine for the past 5 years. He is a frequent guest at charity golf tournaments across the country. In 2006, Steve and his wife Gwen started the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation, and annually host the Delta Soul Celebrity Golf & Charity Event. Over the last three years, the event has channeled over $500,000.00 to many worthwhile Mississippi causes; and
WHEREAS, Steve has been honored with "Steve Azar Day" in the State of Mississippi (on March 13th) and South Dakota (on August 10th). He is the co-founder of Rides Records and in 2013 co-founded the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival, dubbed "A Southern Gem" by the American Blues Scene Magazine and included in Acoustic Guitar Magazine's 2014 Roadside Americana: 50 States 50 Must-Attend Events. With a strong interest in mentorship and giving back to the Delta, Steve enjoys being artist-in-residence at the Delta Music Institute, part of Delta State University; and
WHEREAS, Steve wrote "Fly," the official song for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in Vail. His performance at the opening ceremonies reached an audience of one billion households. In late 2015, Steve became the Spokesperson for the Certified AG Business Program and his song, the "American Farmer," became the official anthem for the program. He started a weekly cooking segment on ThreadMB, an e-zine that combines Mom Bloggers and Celebrities sharing their inspiring charitable endeavours. The blog reaches millions of readers each month and allows Steve to have fun in the kitchen while promoting the farm-to-fork lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, in April of 2016 Steve became the first artist to record a full-length studio album in the legendary Mississippi Landmark, Club Ebony. The club, now belonging to the BB King Museum, was turned into a recording studio capturing the rich history and vibe of the room and in turn inspiring incredible performances on the recording. The combination of Steve's Delta songwriting approach and The Kings Men musical background has created a unique and soulful. This is a true Delta Soul record. Steve and The Kings Men will be making their live debut headlining at this year's BB King Homecoming Festival. The new record will be accompanied by a full-length feature documentary combining the making of the record with the musical trajectory of The Kings Men and the historic musical influence of the Mississippi Delta on the world music scene; and
WHEREAS, Steve is an in-demand keynote speaker. His keynotes highlight the importance of giving back and that it is never too soon to start. From the sports world to the world of entertainment, his speeches are packed with life lessons learned; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the musical excellence of this talented Mississippi Musician and Renaissance Man who has brought recognition and cultural excellence to the evolving artistic community of the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Mississippi Songwriter-Recording Artist, Steve Azar as unofficial Music and Culture Ambassador for the State of Mississippi and welcome him on the occasion of the Mississippi Tourism Association Legislative Reception on January 25, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Steve Azar and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
