ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 78
BY REPRESENTATIVE MORENO
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Tonya Boyd-Cannon for her extraordinary musical talents, her outstanding
performance on The Voice, and for the tremendous pride she brings to the state of
Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Tonya Boyd-Cannon, a gifted musical
artist who was selected as a contestant on the eighth season of The Voice; and
WHEREAS, born in Mississippi and the daughter of a preacher, Tonya Boyd-Cannon
grew up playing the saxophone and singing in choirs; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Boyd-Cannon resides in Chalmette with her loving and supportive
husband and her daughter and son; she is a graduate of Warren Easton High School; upon
her graduation, she became a back-up vocalist for Jean Knight and performed at Jazz Fest
on numerous occasions and many other events; and
WHEREAS, she attended Dillard University and later accepted a job at the Orleans
Parish Prison, where she became a deputy and worked with the prison's male inmate choir
and later founded a jailhouse choir for women; currently, she teaches with the Little Village
Youth Ensemble at Dillard University and serves as the music director at St. James AME
Church and Austerlitz Street Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Boyd-Cannon recorded her debut album titled "Rise My Child" and
after Hurricane Katrina, spent two years in Jackson, Mississippi, and was awarded a
scholarship to study vocal performance and music at Tougaloo College; in 2011, Ms. Boyd-
Cannon returned to New Orleans and tirelessly networked throughout the music community
while teaching music and art; and
WHEREAS, she was a guest of the Stooges Brass Band at the 2012 Jazz Fest, and
at the 2013 festival, she performed her own song, "In New Orleans"; and
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WHEREAS, in 2014, she attended an open audition for the nationally televised talent
show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; her fairly rare contralto voice earned her
a ticket to a final audition in Los Angeles, California, and afterwards she received the call
she had been waiting for, stating that she would sing for celebrity judges during the show's
televised auditions; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Boyd-Cannon chose to sing Pharrell Williams' song, "Happy", for
her blind audition and within minutes she captured the attention of the judges; she worked
with Adam Levine to advance throughout the show's season; and
WHEREAS, during her time on The Voice, Ms. Boyd-Cannon shined in the spotlight
of the national stage, and she has been a wonderful ambassador for the state of Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of its communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon artists like Tonya
Boyd-Cannon, who serves as an inspiration to others because of her integrity and her
steadfast dedication to honing her craft; and
WHEREAS, Tonya Boyd-Cannon and her special talents serve as a shining example
of the incredible talent in Louisiana, and upon her memorable and historic run on The Voice,
she merits a special measure of sincere and heartfelt commendation and congratulations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Tonya Boyd-Cannon for her extraordinary musical talents and achievements; does
hereby extend enduring appreciation for the wonderful way in which her music touches the
lives of countless people throughout the state of Louisiana and the United States of America;
and does hereby extend to her best wishes for continued success and happiness in her future
endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Tonya Boyd-Cannon.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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