Senate Resolution 1013
By: Senators Harbison of the 15th, Orrock of the 36th, Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of
the 17th, Wicks of the 34th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Dallas Austin for his outstanding contributions to music,
culture, and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Dallas Austin, born December 29, 1970, in Columbus, Georgia, is a Grammy
Award–winning producer, songwriter, and musician who has played a pivotal role in shaping
the sound of modern R&B and pop music throughout the 1990s and 2000s; and
WHEREAS, he is the son of Claude and Willie Belle Austin and was raised in an
environment rich in music and culture, frequently spending time at "The Party Club," a
nightclub and restaurant owned by his parents, where he began playing instruments and
DJing at the young age of seven; and
WHEREAS, he is the stepson of Jimmy "Chank" Nolen, the longtime guitarist for James
Brown, whose influence helped inspire and guide his early musical development; and
WHEREAS, he attended Lake Shore High School in College Park and Benjamin Banneker
High School in Atlanta, further grounding his roots in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Austin co-founded Rowdy Records in 1992 alongside L.A. Reid,
establishing a platform that contributed to the emergence and success of numerous influential
artists; and
WHEREAS, he has produced and written for some of the most iconic artists in the world,
including TLC, for whom he produced chart-topping hits such as "Creep" and "Unpretty,"
as well as Boyz II Men, producing their breakout single "Motownphilly" and contributing
significantly to their acclaimed album Cooleyhighharmony; and
WHEREAS, his remarkable career includes collaborations with globally renowned artists
such as Madonna, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Monica, Michael Jackson, and Rihanna,
demonstrating his versatility and enduring impact across multiple genres of music; and
WHEREAS, his extraordinary talent and influence were further recognized with his
induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, solidifying his legacy as one of the
most important music creators of his generation; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his musical achievements, he served as executive producer of the
2002 film Drumline, a project inspired in part by his own life experiences, which highlighted
the culture and excellence of historically Black college and university marching bands; and
WHEREAS, as a proud native of Columbus and a longtime resident of Atlanta, Dallas Austin
has brought distinction and honor to the State of Georgia through his creativity, innovation,
and global influence in the arts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Dallas Austin for his extraordinary achievements and contributions
to the music industry and for serving as an outstanding ambassador for the State of Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dallas Austin.