HR1672.html

Commending Robert (Chick) Willis; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Robert (Chick) Willis was born in the rural Georgia town of Cabiness in 1934; and

WHEREAS, he taught himself guitar and by his teens started playing for a living at the Old Royal Peacock Club and he backed and played on bills with such talent as Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Big Joe Turner; and

WHEREAS, after serving in the military, Chick joined with his cousin Chuck Willis, known as the "King of Stroll," in 1954 and performed with him until Chuck died in 1958; and

WHEREAS, he began performing on his own after Chuck's death and, in the 1970's, recorded his signature song "Stoop Down Baby;" and

WHEREAS, his interest in seeing the blues survive and flourish caused him to be an integral member of the Middle Georgia Blues Society, to open "Chick's Music Park," and to present the "Stoop Down Music Festival" in the fall of 2000; and

WHEREAS, he has received numerous awards for his music including the "Jus' Blues T_Bone Walker" award, the artist most deserving of wider attention award by Living Blues Magazine in 2000, and the Blues Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001; and

WHEREAS, this versatile and multi-talented artist has entertained throughout the United States and Europe, becoming one of the most popular entertainers in the world; and

WHEREAS, he has made a major contribution to the development of blues music as an art form and to its popularity; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that this outstanding Georgian be recognized for his musical contributions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Robert (Chick) Willis and extend their best wishes for his future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Robert (Chick) Willis.