Bill Text: MS SC580 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize legendary "Malaco Records" on 50th Anniversary.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-2)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-01 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC580 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-SC580-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Horhn, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Blackmon, Blount, Butler, Witherspoon, Jackson (11th), Barnett, Clarke, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), Michel
Senate Concurrent Resolution 580
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE ARTISTS, PRODUCERS AND ENGINEERS OF LEGENDARY JACKSON-BASED SOUL MUSIC PIONEERS "MALACO RECORDS" ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY.
WHEREAS, a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker stands at the gate of the recording studio that was founded on Northside Drive in 1967, and remains the home of Malaco Records, sharing the story of one of the foremost labels in Southern Soul, Blues and Gospel Music; and
WHEREAS, known as "The Last Soul Company," Malaco has survived in a tumultuous, fickle field by catering to a passionate niche audience rather than chasing hits and trends. Malaco, Inc., was officially created a year after the studio building opened. Details aren't set, but plans to celebrate the 50th Anniversary include special vinyl releases, a coffee table photo book, a gospel celebration concert, and other events throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, Malaco's struggles, as well as its successes, are part of the legacy. The seeds for Malaco were set at Ole Miss, where Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers Tommy Couch, Sr., and Wolf Stephenson booked bands for dances. Later in Jackson, Couch and brother-in-law, Mitchell Malouf, started Malaco Attractions. Stephenson joined them in concert promotion, and the recording studio followed. Music was the focus. They recorded just about anything at the outset and at some point, a favorite thread became a direction: the Rhythm and Blues, Soul Music, whatever the name was at the time; and
WHEREAS, prompted by another studio's success with Delta Blues, Stephenson suggested recording Fred McDowell. The McDowell sessions were released to Capitol Records, and his album was nominated for a Grammy, scoring Malaco a bit of national attention. Jingles, concert promotions, band booking and studio rental were the studio's mainstay, but in 1970, New Orleans Producer-Arranger Wardell Quezergue, who had artists and songs, needed a studio, musicians and funds to record. A week of recording music tracks and a marathon weekend of recording artists, who traveled from New Orleans in a borrowed school bus, paid off. "When he put it on the radio, it just exploded," Stephenson said. Atlantic called and made a deal for distribution. The Malaco crew scrambled to finish an album to follow. Stax Records released King Floyd's "Groove Me" and Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff," which also blasted off. "'Groove Me' and 'Mr. Big Stuff' sold approximately two million copies each," Couch said. The Pointer Sisters from Atlantic, Rufus Thomas and others from Stax Records and, in 1973, Paul Simon (for "There Goes Rhymin' Simon"), all recorded at Malaco; and
WHEREAS, the fire was lit, but it started fading around 1974. Then they recorded Dorothy Moore's "Misty Blue." "Misty Blue" was an R&B and pop hit, selling more than two million records and earning a Grammy nomination. Moore earned another for "I Believe You." Fern Kinney's mid-tempo "Together We Are Beautiful" hit big in England, then other countries in Europe. A disco remake of "Groove Me" was successful, too. Writer/Producer Frederick Knight brought Anita Ward to Malaco in 1979 to record. Stewart Madison joined the company in 1979 as Director of Business Affairs, while Couch and Stephenson focused on the creative end. Pioneering African-American Promoter Dave Clark, well-respected in black radio circles, was hired in 1980 and was instrumental in bringing Z.Z. Hill and others to Malaco; and
WHEREAS, Z.Z. Hill's "Down Home Blues" broke the mold on blues at the time. It signaled recognition of a market for old-style blues and soul music, which had become a subgenre of R&B with Malaco, the leader in the field. Artists Z.Z. Hill (until his 1984 death), Denise LaSalle, Latimore, Little Milton Campbell, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Shirley Brown and Tyrone Davis, key Songwriters, and the house band's Soulful Grooves cemented Malaco's dominance in Southern R&B, Blues and Soul. At the same time, since 1975, they produced gospel music. The Jackson Southernaires' and Malaco Gospel Director Frank Williams had the same effect on the African-American gospel artists. Almost all of them came because of him. Williams also founded the Mississippi Mass Choir; and
WHEREAS, "That's the other piece of 'The Last Soul Company' title," said Tommy Couch, Jr., who joined the company in 1992. "Malaco wasn't trying to be anything else. It was just concentrating on what it did really well"; and
WHEREAS, when an April 2011 tornado destroyed most of Malaco's offices and studio, 44 years' worth of experiences were gone in 44 seconds. About 20 people on the property escaped injury. Thanks to a tape vault built to withstand a tornado, so did the masters. It brought an opportunity to get ready for the coming decades. The fact that these entrepreneurs were talented enough to make great records and smart enough to understand the business is why Malaco is still here and actually thriving; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Mississippi Music Industry in celebrating this landmark event in the history of Mississippi music:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the Artists, Producers and Engineers of legendary Jackson-based Soul Music Pioneers "Malaco Records" on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary in the recording industry, and extend our best wishes to these "soul survivors" for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the owners of Malaco Records, forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
