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A Resolution recognizing the 100 Year Celebration of The Fairfield Four and the continued legacy of The McCrary Sisters.
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WHEREAS, The Fairfield Four is an American gospel group that started in the Fairfield Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee in 1921. By 1949, Sam McCrary assumed leadership of the group and they continued to record and tour with various membership changes; and
WHEREAS, they were designated as National Heritage Fellows in 1989 by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. The group went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album in 1998; and
WHEREAS, over the years, The Fairfield Four influenced artists from Motown to Memphis, and paved the way for many Black artists and vocal groups, even hosting artists like The Staples Singers in their home in historic North Nashville when they were denied access to public hotels in the Jim Crow South; and
WHEREAS, best known for their appearance in the O Brother, Where Art Thou? film and soundtrack, the Grammy Award-winning Fairfield Four continue to perform a cappella and have been singularly important in revitalizing and preserving the oldest style of traditional spiritual and gospel singing; and
WHEREAS, Reverend McCrary's daughters grew up in this environment and soon became highly in-demand touring and session backup singers with mainstream artists including Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan. The McCrary Sisters evolved into a performing group in their own right, recording several acclaimed gospel albums; and
WHEREAS, The McCrary Sisters have recorded and performed with notable artists such as Delbert McClinton, The Black Keys, Martina McBride, Eric Church, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Jonny Lang, Robert Randolph, The Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Rosanne Cash, Carrie Underwood, Hank Williams Jr., Dr. John, Widespread Panic, Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Jack White, Gregg Allman, and many more; and
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