SR1013: SR1013 Austin, Dallas; recognize

26 LC 112 4016 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 co ntributions to music,1 culture, and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Dallas Austin, born December 29, 1970, in Columbus, Georgia, is a Grammy3 Award–winning producer, songwriter, and musician who has played a pivotal role in shaping4 the sound of modern R&B and pop music throughout the 1990s and 2000s; and5 WHEREAS, he is the son of Claude and Willie Belle Austin and wa s raised in an6 environment rich in music and culture, frequently spending time at "The Party Club," a7 nightclub and restaurant owned by his parents, where he began p laying instruments and8 DJing at the young age of seven; and9 WHEREAS, he is the stepson of Jimmy "Chank" Nolen, the longtime guitarist for James10 Brown, whose influence helped inspire and guide his early musical development; and11 WHEREAS, he attended Lake Shore High School in College Park and Benjamin Banneker12 High School in Atlanta, further grounding his roots in the State of Georgia; and13 S. R. 1013 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4016 WHEREAS, Mr. Austin co-founded Rowdy Records in 1992 alongside L.A. Reid,14 establishing a platform that contributed to the emergence and success of numerous influential15 artists; and16 WHEREAS, he has produced and written for some of the most iconi c artists in the world,17 including TLC, for whom he produced chart-topping hits such as "Creep" and "Unpretty,"18 as well as Boyz II Men, producing their breakout single "Motown philly" and contributing19 significantly to their acclaimed album Cooleyhighharmony; and20 WHEREAS, his remarkable career includes collaborations with glo bally renowned artists21 such as Madonna, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Monica, Michael Jackson, a nd Rihanna,22 demonstrating his versatility and enduring impact across multiple genres of music; and23 WHEREAS, his extraordinary talent and influence were further re cognized with his24 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, solidifyin g his legacy as one of the25 most important music creators of his generation; and26 WHEREAS, in addition to his musical achievements, he served as executive producer of the27 2002 film Drumline, a project inspired in part by his own life experiences, which highlighted28 the culture and excellence of historically Black college and university marching bands; and29 WHEREAS, as a proud native of Columbus and a longtime resident of Atlanta, Dallas Austin30 has brought distinction and honor to the State of Georgia through his creativity, innovation,31 and global influence in the arts.32 S. R. 1013 - 2 - 26 LC 112 4016 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body33 recognize and commend Dallas Austin for his extraordinary achievements and contributions34 to the music industry and for serving as an outstanding ambassador for the State of Georgia.35 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed36 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dallas Austin.37 S. R. 1013 - 3 -