SR 151 — Celebrating the life of Jesse Lester McReynolds.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24108885DSENATE IRESOLUTION SENATOfferedNO. March 7, 2024 N Celebrating the life of Jesse Lester McReynolds.

––––––––––151 TE Patron––PillionN RCelebrating ––––––––––the Olife WHEREAS,of Jesse Lester McReynolds,McReynolds. a legendary mandolinist and bluegrass musician and beloved member of the communities of Coeburn and Gallatin, Tennessee, died on June 23, 2023;

Agreed to by the Senate, March 8, 2024 R O WHEREAS, Jesse Lester McReynolds, a legendary mandolinist and Dbluegrass musician and beloved L memWHEREAS, born in Coeburn to a family with ties to the famed Bristol Sessions in 1927, which is often credited with sparking the modern country music movement, Jesse McReynolds' path as aicha UsL musician was forged from a young age;

and WHEREAS,E Jesse McReynolds partnered with his brother, Jim McReynolds, to form the iconic duo, Jim and Jesse, one of the most successful and influential groups in the history of bluegrass muEic;music;

andandD WHEREAS, beginning in the 1950s, Jesse McReynolds enjoyed a prolific recording career, both as Jim and Jesse and as Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys, that produced many classics of the bluegrass and country genres, including "Cotton Mill Man," "Diesel on My Tail," and "Are You Missing Me?";

WHEREAS,andWHEREAS, from 1952 to 1954, Jesse McReynolds served his country with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War, during which time he often played for the entertainment of his fellow troops;

and S WHEREAS, Jesse McReynolds' legacy within bluegrass music was cemented by the unique and innovative1 crosspickingtime technique he developed on the mandolin, which distinguished his music at the timWHEREAS, Jesse McReynolds had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1964, one of R country music's most heralded achievements, and wasinspired notablyfuture thegenerations oldest standing Opry member at the time of hismusicians; death;

andandmandolin, 1which WHEREAS,distinguished Jessehis McReynolds'music impactat on the historyE ofWHEREAS, AmericanJesse musicMcReynolds washad recognizedbeen througha hismember inductionof into the InternationalGrand BluegrassOle MusicOpry Hallsince of1964, Fameone inof 1993R andcountry hismusic's Nationalmost Heritageheralded Fellowshipachievements, Awardand fromwas notably the Nationaloldest Endowmentstanding forOpry member at the Artstime inof 1997;his death;

and songsinduction heinto wrotethe andInternational recordedBluegrass overMusic theHall years,of includingFame "Jesusin is1993 theand Keyhis toNational Heritages Fellowship Award from the Kingdom"National andEndowment "Twofor Thousandthe YearsArts Ago";in 1997;

and WHEREAS, Jesse McReynolds' deep and abiding faith was evidenced by the many uplifting gospel songs he wrote and recorded over the years, including "Jesus is the Key to the Kingdom" and "Two ThoWHEREAS, preceded in death by his first wife of 41 years, Darlene, and his son Keith, Jesse McReynolds will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving second wife of 27 years, Joy;

and numerous other family members and :friRESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jesse Lester McReynolds, a proud son of Coeburn whose musical career transformed bluegrass music and touched countless lives;

35and, friends;be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for respect for his memory.ily of Jesse Lester McReynolds as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's

now, therefore, be it 37 McReynolds, a proud son of Coeburn whose musical career transformed bluegrass music and touchedr 38 countless lives;

and, be it 39 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jesse Lester McReynolds as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.