SR880: SR880 Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers; congratulate

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate honoring a local musical act. Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers, representing the Wiregrass Blues Society, won the Band Championship at the 41st annual International Blues Challenge hosted by The Blues Foundation in Memphis in January 2026. The band advanced through preliminary rounds, semifinals, and finals judged on musicianship, vocals, originality, and stage presence before performing at the Orpheum Theatre. The resolution names the band members: guitarist and vocalist Derrick Dove, keyboardist Johnathan Thomas, bassist Walt Dunn, and drummer Jamie Richardson. It also notes that Dove individually won the Best Guitarist award. The Senate formally congratulates the band and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to them. The resolution does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally congratulates Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers for winning the Band Championship at the 2026 International Blues Challenge.
• Recognizes frontman Derrick Dove individually for winning the Best Guitarist award at the competition.
• Names all four band members being honored: Derrick Dove, Johnathan Thomas, Walt Dunn, and Jamie Richardson.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the band.

The resolution directly names and honors the band Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers and its four members, along with the Wiregrass Blues Society they represented. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who must prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and does not change Georgia law. Its practical significance is symbolic: it gives the band official recognition from the state legislature for their national blues competition win.

• The whereas clauses describe the band's path through the International Blues Challenge, from preliminaries to their final performance at the Orpheum Theatre.
• The whereas clauses also credit Derrick Dove's individual Best Guitarist award and name all four band members.
• The resolving clause has the Senate congratulate the band and wish them continued success in future competitions.
• A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to the band.

1. 2026-03-03Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)

• Georgia Senate resolution
• blues music
• Wiregrass Blues Society
• ceremonial recognition