Bill Text: TX HR396 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Johnnie Ray High, Jr., of Bedford.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-03-15 - Reported enrolled [HR396 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HR396-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 396 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The life of a respected figure in the Texas music | ||
| community drew to a close with the passing of Johnnie Ray High, Jr., | ||
| of Bedford on March 17, 2010, at the age of 80; and | ||
| WHEREAS, As the founder and owner of Johnnie High's Country | ||
| Music Revue, this noted impresario helped launch the careers of | ||
| numerous entertainment stars, and his long-running variety show was | ||
| beloved by countless North Texas music fans and musicians; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born on May 1, 1929, in Robinson, Mr. High grew up in | ||
| McGregor and got his hands on his first guitar at age 13; a year | ||
| later, he began his own live radio show in Waco, singing and playing | ||
| for the station's early morning listeners five days a week; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Though he was a skilled musician in his own right, he | ||
| later became increasingly interested in helping others to find a | ||
| place in the spotlight; in 1974, he and a partner bought the Palace | ||
| Theatre in Grapevine and began presenting the Grapevine Opry, which | ||
| later developed into Johnnie High's Country Music Revue; rather | ||
| than focusing on established stars, Mr. High specialized in | ||
| developing new talent, and he soon proved his gift for recognizing | ||
| exceptional performers; and | ||
| WHEREAS, During the 35 years that he produced his weekly | ||
| show, many of the artists he featured went on to major show business | ||
| success, among them LeAnn Rimes, the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, | ||
| and Gary Morris; while this generous promoter had a well-deserved | ||
| reputation for creating stars, he was equally devoted to less | ||
| famous individuals seeking to develop their musical talents; each | ||
| year, hundreds of people took part in his show's open auditions, and | ||
| Mr. High was renowned for the kind advice and encouragement that he | ||
| provided to each of them; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The show moved to the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort | ||
| Worth after its initial years in Grapevine, and it was later staged | ||
| at the Shannon Auditorium in Haltom City; since 1995, it has been | ||
| based at the Arlington Music Hall, and its presence there played a | ||
| part in sparking a resurgence in the city's central business | ||
| district; in recognition of Mr. High's contributions to the local | ||
| community, he was named the city's Man of the Year in 1999 and was | ||
| inducted into the Arlington Business Hall of Fame in 2007; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. High also gave back to his fellow citizens by | ||
| supporting worthwhile causes such as the American Cancer Society | ||
| and the American Heart Association; his humanitarian work was | ||
| acknowledged when he received the Anson Jones Award from the Fort | ||
| Worth Scottish Rite Foundation in 2003, and his honors also | ||
| included induction into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the | ||
| Miss Texas Organization Hall of Fame; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. High enjoyed the love | ||
| and support of his wife, Wanda, and the two enjoyed a rewarding | ||
| marriage that spanned 61 years; he had the satisfaction of having | ||
| several members of his family go to work at the revue, including his | ||
| granddaughter, Ashley Smith, who has performed on the show since | ||
| childhood and cohosted it with her grandfather in recent years; and | ||
| WHEREAS, With his dedication and his passion for the music he | ||
| loved, Johnnie High pioneered an iconic Texas entertainment show | ||
| that has had an enduring and positive influence on numerous people | ||
| over the course of three and a half decades, and his contributions | ||
| to country music and to his community will continue to be | ||
| appreciated for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Johnnie Ray High, Jr., | ||
| and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his | ||
| wife, Wanda High; to his daughter, Luanne Dorman, and her husband, | ||
| Johnny; to his grandchildren, Ashley Smith, Trey Dorman and his | ||
| wife, Ashley, and Jared Dorman; and to his other relatives and | ||
| friends; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of | ||
| Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Johnnie | ||
| High. | ||
| Patrick | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 396 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on March 3, 2011. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
