On the recordFebruary 14, 2011
Last night in Los Angeles, California, the Grammy Awards took place, and I am proud that one of my Memphis constituents, Kirk Whalum, received a Grammy. I am also proud that a special award was given to Al Bell who had been the head of Stax Records. But even further, there was a tribute to Solomon Burke, one of the great singers of all time. The tribute was done by Mick Jagger. Nobody can quite do anything like Mick Jagger. But it was fitting that Mick Jagger did Solomon Burke, because Solomon Burke in the 1960s was one of the first African Americans to do Bob Dylan, and Bob Dylan was there, too. And then Eminem got the best rap song. So it was a good, spirited night at the Grammys of biracial, cultural cooperation and understanding and love.





