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A resolution recognizing June 2024 as Black Music Month in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, Black Music Month is an annual celebration of African American music, recognizing Black music and culture from early spirituals born out of the unconscionable hardships of slavery; to the creation of folk and gospel; to the evolution of rhythm and blues and jazz; to the ascendance of rock and roll, rap, and hip-hop and beyond; and
WHEREAS, first recognized by President Jimmy Carter in June 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation's treasured cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, while Nashville is widely known for country music, which has always been heavily influenced by African American musical traditions, it is also home to early Black music pioneers like the Fisk Jubilee Singers and DeFord Bailey, one of WSM's most prominent performers. The influential music bars and clubs on Jefferson Street led to a thriving music scene in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. A young Jimi Hendrix was part of the house band at the famed Club Del Morocco on Jefferson Street in the early 1960s and Club Baron hosted artists like Otis Redding and Little Richard; and
WHEREAS, today, many African American artists, from hip hop, rap, gospel, country, jazz, rock and other genres, call Nashville home; and
WHEREAS, Nashville's own National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has events throughout June to celebrate and commemorate Black Music Month; and
WHEREAS, NMAAM was first proposed in 2002 and was initially slated for construction on Jefferson Street, until 2015 when the Metropolitan Government announced plans to redevelop the former convention center site on Broadway and formerly 5th Avenue North, now Rep. John Lewis Way; and
WHEREAS, NMAAM broke ground at the 5th + Broad site in early 2017 and had its grand opening in 2020. NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and celebrating the...
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