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Cohen Commemorates 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth

June 19, 2015

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement commemorating the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth and recognized the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival, formerly known as the Memphis Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival. Juneteenth, observed on June 19th each year, is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

“Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in September 1862, it was not until June 19, 1865 that Union Soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger announced to the last slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free. This year also marks the 22nd annual Juneteenth Urban Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. To commemorate this day in our history and the contributions of African-Americans to our nation, the 2015 Juneteenth Urban Music Festival theme is: ‘Celebrating 150 Years with Music.’

“American music has long embodied influences of African culture, since the dark years of slavery when African instruments such as the banjo were introduced to America. Overtime, African Americans developed their own musical style on southern plantations that is now heard in nearly every genre of music, including gospel, blues, bluegrass, jazz, country and rock and roll. This is the true history of American music.

“The year’s theme is an especially fitting one as Memphis has a rich musical history filled with contributions by African Americans. Memphis is home to Royal Studios, which was founded in 1957 and is one of the oldest recording studios in the world. Such talents as former owner and Memphian Willie Mitchell, Bobby Blue Bland, Ann Peebles, and Al Green have recorded hits at the studio. Most recently, the studio became the recording home of the 2015 Billboard Hot 100 chart topper, Uptown Funk, which held the number one spot for fourteen weeks. Memphis is also home to Stax Records, which is renowned for producing the sounds of Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, Lalah Hathaway, Albert King, the Bar-Kays and many more. Other well-known musicians to come out of Memphis include B.B. King, W.C. Handy, Ruby Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Kirk and Kenneth Whalum and the Oscar-winning rap group, Three 6 Mafia.

“The 2015 Juneteenth Urban Music Festival will honor Memphis’ own, the Bar-Kays, with a Legendary Award. With their beginnings at Stax producing backup music for other Stax artists, the Bar-Kays found their own voice and have been credited for creating ‘Black Rock,’ which is now known as ‘Funk,’ and have recorded 29 albums, of which five went gold and one went platinum, as well as 20 top ten singles. Some include: ‘Shake Your Rump To The Funk,’ ‘Hit and Run,’ ‘Freakshow On The Dance Floor,’ ‘Move Your Boogie Body,’ and ‘Soul Finger,’ which was used in the 1985 movie, Spies Like Us, the 2007 comedy, Superbad, and the 2012 remake of Sparkle. Last year, the Bar-Kays celebrated 50 years in the music industry and their music continues to be an inspiration to artists worldwide.

“This is a time to reflect upon the end of slavery in America and to recognize the many influences of African American citizens. It is in this spirit that I ask my colleagues to join me in observing our nation’s 150th anniversary of Juneteenth and the 22nd celebrations in Memphis.”