Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) sought to honor a pair of Nashville-based musical acts for their Grammy wins on Monday (February 12th) with ceremonial resolutions, but only Black singer-songwriter Allison Russell received an objection from a House Republican.
Jones brought forward two resolutions to honor Russell (Best American Roots Performance) and the band Paramore (Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance). In a procedural move, House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) objected to the Russell resolution.
According to The Tennessean, Faison’s objection meant that the resolution was sent back to committee, “where objected consent items often die.” According to House rules, no debate was required for the move, meaning that Faison was not forced to express his opposition to honoring the folk musician.
While the newspaper pointed out Russell has been a vocal critic of Tennessee Republicans for their anti-LGBTQ+ community legislation, so has Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams. The latter artist even performed at Jason Isbell and Russell’s 2023 fundraising concert protesting against Tennessee lawmakers’ efforts to target drag performers and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Jones and Russell didn’t hesitate to point out the obvious in separate statements following Faison’s objection.
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During the announcements portion of the House floor session, Jones said he wanted to honor Russell during Black History Month. Later on, he shared the following statement on Twitter: “Tonight my Republican colleagues blocked a resolution honoring Black American Roots artist Allison Russell for her first Grammy win. [She] has worked tirelessly to foster an inclusive Nashville through her music and continues to make Black History here in Tennessee.”
Going one step further, Russell replied, “That you & [Rep. Gloria Johnson] presented this resolution is a high honour. That the TN GOP blocked it, I take as a compliment. Their bigotry, sadly, is on relentless display. We have a chance this year to make a real change in TN.”
Russell is currently on a headlining tour in support of her Grammy-nominated album, The Returner. In April, she’ll join Hozier on his “The Unreal Unearth Tour.” Get tickets for North American dates here and international shows here.
Meanwhile, Paramore are newly independent, and recently shared their cover of Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” from the upcoming A24 Music compilation, Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense. This summer, they will join Taylor Swift on the UK/European leg of the “Eras Tour.” Grab your seats here.
That you & @VoteGloriaJ presented this resolution is a high honour. That the TN GOP blocked it, I take as a compliment. Their bigotry, sadly, is on relentless display. We have a chance this year to make a real change in TN #loverising #rainbowcoalition #register #vote #rise✊🏾🌈
— Allison Russell (@outsidechild13) February 13, 2024