JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippians excelling in their work and influencing the nation are honored with Senate Resolutions. They entertain, educate, and include institutions dating back to the early 1900s.
Mississippi Native and country music legend Marty Stuart was on hand as the Mississippi Senate honored the 2024 Governor’s Arts Award Winners.
Foxworth native Musician Earl Poole Ball performed with Johnny Cash and received the Lifetime Achievement award.
“Did that for 20 years and when that was over, and we retired I moved to Austin Texas,” said Ball. “And I work there at the Continental Club in Austin Texas. Every weekend I play for all the tourists in the world.”
Chulahoma native Cedric Burnside is a Hill Country Blues performer.
“I’m just humbled,” said Burnside. “I’m really, really happy to be here, happy to be honored with this award, and I thank the Lord for it and my Big Daddy R. L. Burnside.”
Peter Zapletal is a master puppeteer who worked at Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
“This award is wonderful because it’s at home, and you do not get to be celebrated at your home,” said Zapletal.
The 100 Men Hall Museum in Bay St. Louis was built by African Americans in 1922.
“The 100 Men Hall is a significant juke joint on the Chitlin Circuit,” said director Rachel Dangermond “So we had James Brown, Ray Charles, Etta James, B.B. King, Guitar Slim, Sam Cooke, the list is endless.”
Mississippi State University professor Brent Funderburk is awarded for visual arts and education.
“There’s so much art, music, dance, theater so much in the state it blows our mind,” said Funderburk. “When I came in 1982 I could not leave.”
Senator John Horhn has spearheaded the efforts to recognize Governors Arts Award winners for 20 years.
“Our people have produced some of the greatest art known to man,” said Horhn. “We have impacted the world with our arts here in Mississippi.”
This is the 36th annual Governor’s Arts Awards.
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