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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 37
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARMODY
COMMENDATIONS: Commends the members of Better than Ezra for their musical
accomplishments and contributions to La.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend the members of Better than Ezra for their musical accomplishments and their2
contributions to the state of Louisiana.3
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra was formed in 1988 while its four original members,4
Kevin Griffin of Monroe, Tom Drummond of Shreveport, and Joel Rundell and Cary5
Bonnecaze, were attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and6
WHEREAS, the band lost Joel Rundell in 1990 to an untimely death, Cary7
Bonnecaze in 1996, and Bonnecaze's replacement, Travis McNabb, in 2009, but still8
continues to create exceptional alternative popular music with current members Kevin9
Griffin as vocalist and guitarist, Tom Drummond as bassist, and Michael Jerome as10
drummer; and11
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra brought national attention to alternative popular music12
in Louisiana in 1995 with the song "Good" off of its first album, Deluxe, which ranked13
thirty-fifth on the Billboard 200; and14
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra helped Louisiana maintain its place in the alternative15
rock arena with its sophomore album, Friction Baby, another top one hundred album,16
featuring "Desperately Wanting" and "King of New Orleans", both of which undoubtedly17
play on the soundtracks of a generation of young Louisianians' lives; and18
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra's next four albums, How Does Your Garden Grow?19
(1998), Closer (2001), Before the Robots (2005), and Paper Empire (2009), all of which20
made the Billboard 200, set the stage for the most recent album, Death Valley, which21 HLS 12RS-889 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 37
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features renditions of tailgate classics like "Hey Fighting Tigers", rendering this 2011 album1
a major contribution to not only Louisiana music but also to Louisiana State University2
football culture; and3
WHEREAS, since 2000, Better than Ezra has used its talent and fame for4
philanthropic purposes, hosting the annual Ezra Open golf fundraiser; and5
WHEREAS, the Better than Ezra Foundation has been an integral component of6
Louisiana's recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, having contributed more than seven7
hundred thousand dollars to the recovery and renewal of the structural and cultural heritage8
of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby10
commend the members of Better than Ezra for their outstanding musical accomplishments11
and philanthropic contributions to New Orleans and Southern Louisiana and does hereby12
express to them enduring gratitude for the immeasurable pride and honor that they bring to13
the state of Louisiana.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted15
to Better than Ezra.16
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carmody HCR No. 37
Commends the members of Better than Ezra for their contributions to music and the state
of La.