ENROLLED
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 37
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARMODY AND SENATOR GALLOT
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend the members of Better than Ezra for their musical accomplishments and their
contributions to the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra was formed in 1988 while its four original members,
Kevin Griffin of Monroe, Tom Drummond of Shreveport, and Joel Rundell and Cary
Bonnecaze, were attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, the band lost Joel Rundell in 1990 to an untimely death, Cary
Bonnecaze in 1996, and Bonnecaze's replacement, Travis McNabb, in 2009, but still
continues to create exceptional alternative popular music with current members Kevin
Griffin as vocalist and guitarist, Tom Drummond as bassist, and Michael Jerome as
drummer; and
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra brought national attention to alternative popular music
in Louisiana in 1995 with the song "Good" off of its first album, Deluxe, which ranked
thirty-fifth on the Billboard 200; and
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra helped Louisiana maintain its place in the alternative
rock arena with its sophomore album, Friction Baby, another top one hundred album,
featuring "Desperately Wanting" and "King of New Orleans", both of which undoubtedly
play on the soundtracks of a generation of young Louisianians' lives; and
WHEREAS, Better than Ezra's next four albums, How Does Your Garden Grow?
(1998), Closer (2001), Before the Robots (2005), and Paper Empire (2009), all of which
made the Billboard 200, set the stage for the most recent album, Death Valley, which
features renditions of tailgate classics like "Hey Fighting Tigers", rendering this 2011 album
a major contribution to not only Louisiana music but also to Louisiana State University
football culture; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 37
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, since 2000, Better than Ezra has used its talent and fame for
philanthropic purposes, hosting the annual Ezra Open golf fundraiser; and
WHEREAS, the Better than Ezra Foundation has been an integral component of
Louisiana's recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, having contributed more than seven
hundred thousand dollars to the recovery and renewal of the structural and cultural heritage
of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend the members of Better than Ezra for their outstanding musical accomplishments
and philanthropic contributions to New Orleans and Southern Louisiana and does hereby
express to them enduring gratitude for the immeasurable pride and honor that they bring to
the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Better than Ezra.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE