Bill Text: MS SC560 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Southern Gospel Music contributions of "Charlie" Waller of Waynesboro, Mississippi.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-02-22 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC560 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC560-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Gandy, Burton, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Montgomery, Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 560
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHARLES ALLEN "CHARLIE" WALLER FROM WAYNESBORO, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLORIDA BOYS, A SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC QUARTET.
WHEREAS, born in the small rural Town of Waynesboro, Mississippi, Charlie Waller grew up in the rural community of Clara in Wayne County listening to gospel music. He listened to the music of his heroes on the radio and watched them sing on television, never realizing that this would become his life's ambition. Soon, Charlie found himself working for a local radio station programming gospel music. He also developed a love for black gospel music during these days, as local groups would come into his radio station to do a live program every week; and
WHEREAS, being one of the more colorful people in gospel music, Charlie wears many hats. He is best known in the industry as a concert promoter and producer. He promoted his first gospel concert in 1971 in New Orleans, Louisiana, while working as a Gospel DJ after returning from the Vietnam War. He is well-known for his Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, which has become an annual mega-event and a showcase for traditional gospel music and is now in its 25th year; and
WHEREAS, Charlie was the first to do a "Reunion" style video and is credited as Bill Gaither's direct inspiration for his homecoming videos. The late Glen Payne stated, "Charlie's Grand Ole Gospel Reunion brought many legends back on the scene and gave them a medium where people could enjoy them again"; and
WHEREAS, Charlie formed the Southern Gospel Music Association of Georgia in 1980. This organization eventually became what is known today as the Southern Gospel Music Guild. He is the owner of a very large, private collection of Southern Gospel memorabilia, which he has been collecting since age 14. His collection includes a number of Statesmen and Blackwood microphones, as well as a library of vintage video that he transferred from early film and kinescope of such things as the Statesmen's "Nabisco" TV shows of the 1950s; and
WHEREAS, he was a Top Five nominee for the Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) Video of the Year Award for his video, "A Tribute to Wendy Bagwell" in 1998. Charlie's most memorable project is the last recording of the late Hovie Lister, recorded only 17 days before Hovie's death on December 28, 2001 — "Hovie's Finale"; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, the mantle of the Florida Boys was passed to Charlie by Les Beasley, Glen Alred and Derrell Stewart. Charlie is currently singing lead, with Chip Cooper, Eddie Broome and Paul Hyde; and
WHEREAS, his contributions to the Southern Gospel Music Association and Hall of Fame have proven beneficial in honoring the heritage of Gospel Music. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Southern Gospel Music Association; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, the Hall of Fame was moved to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Due to gospel music being grounded in Dolly's religious beliefs, she donated the building to house the history and collectibles of Southern Gospel Music. Charlie welcomes thousands of visitors each year as they come to Dollywood from all around the world, keeping the tradition of gospel music alive from its earliest beginnings to present day; and
WHEREAS, Charlie Waller has been on the cutting edge of technology in the gospel music world. A case in point was his diligence in producing some of the first gospel music videos when he convinced Hovie Lister to release footage of the Statesmen Quartet that was recorded for the Nabisco Company in the mid-1950s. These programs were the first gospel videos ever produced for television and thanks to Charlie Waller, they became among the first gospel videos ever released to the general public; and
WHEREAS, Charlie Waller is very interested in his native state, and the Florida Boys perform in many venues in Mississippi. The group performed two concerts in Laurel in support of adult literacy in order that business and industry in the State of Mississippi can produce a trained workforce to retain and attract new business to this state. With the state statistics showing a 28% illiteracy rate, this compassionate group of talented individuals are instrumental in helping raise funding for providing tutors and materials to teach adults to read in the South Mississippi area; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we honor this native Mississippian who has taken his rightful place in the royalty of Southern Gospel Music and who serves as an unofficial Ambassador for 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 and salute the Southern Gospel Music contributions of Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductee and Executive Director Charles Allen "Charlie" Waller from Waynesboro, Mississippi, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to his family and the Florida Boys Gospel Group on the occasion of the 65th Anniversary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charlie Waller and his family, forwarded to members of the Florida Boys, the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
