Bill Text: TX SCR35 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Designating western swing as the official State Music of Texas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-06-17 - Signed by the Governor [SCR35 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-SCR35-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Designating western swing as the official State Music of Texas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-06-17 - Signed by the Governor [SCR35 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-SCR35-Introduced.html
82R13498 JH-D | ||
By: Wentworth | S.C.R. No. 35 |
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a | ||
variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of | ||
the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and | ||
WHEREAS, In the field of music, Texas has nurtured important | ||
developments in a variety of genres, but of the many styles that | ||
have thrived here, one is particularly emblematic of our state's | ||
unique character: western swing; and | ||
WHEREAS, A lively sound that has enjoyed enduring popularity | ||
over the course of nearly a century, western swing reflects the | ||
ethnic diversity of Texas by encompassing many of the musical | ||
traditions that were introduced to the state by the groups that | ||
settled here; and | ||
WHEREAS, The genre, also known by the fitting name of Texas | ||
swing, traces its origins to the 1920s and is rooted in the fiddle | ||
music of Anglo, Irish, and Scottish immigrants; it borrows heavily | ||
from many other sources, however, including such African American | ||
influences as blues and jazz, the Hispanic genres of conjunto and | ||
mariachi, and the polkas, waltzes, and schottisches brought to | ||
Texas by German and Czech settlers; and | ||
WHEREAS, Though western swing has become popular throughout | ||
the Southwest and beyond, its origins are firmly tied to the Lone | ||
Star State; growing out of the music that was played in the state's | ||
small-town dance halls, the style became better known through the | ||
work of Texans Milton Brown and Bob Wills, two of the most famous | ||
and influential swing artists of all time; these pioneers formed | ||
the Light Crust Doughboys in the Fort Worth area in the early 1930s | ||
and then went on to even greater fame while leading individual bands | ||
of their own; and | ||
WHEREAS, A key to the appeal of this spirited music is its | ||
exceptional ability to get people dancing; this quality, too, is | ||
evocative of Texas, a state in which dance halls have historically | ||
been central to the social life of its communities; today, the | ||
foot-tapping tempo of western swing continues to be heard all | ||
across our state, with countless Texans repeating the time-honored | ||
steps that have been kicking up sawdust on Texas dance floors for | ||
generations; and | ||
WHEREAS, Born and bred in Texas, western swing is a musical | ||
melting pot that represents the diverse groups that have | ||
contributed to the growth and prosperity of our state and the | ||
distinctive way of life that has flourished here, and it is indeed a | ||
fitting symbol for the rich cultural heritage that is shared by all | ||
Texans; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby designate western swing as the official State Music of | ||
Texas. |