Paramore has introduced that they “won’t settle for any acknowledgement or honor from the TN Home” for its Grammy wins after a lawmaker objected to comparable honors for singer/songwriter Allison Russell.
The group accuse Tennessee’s Republican-led Home of Representatives of “blatant racism” after a lawmaker paused a decision honoring Black singer-songwriter Russell’s latest Grammy win.
The Home Republican Caucus Chair who objected to the decision honoring Russell, Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Tenn.), claimed “The decision wasn’t blocked” in a press release.
“When any member has a query about an merchandise on the consent calendar, it’s customary to bump it so there is usually a vote solely on that merchandise,” he stated. “As a member of management, I had a number of members come to me with questions concerning the particular person, which made it acceptable for us to press pause on that individual decision.”
Paramore gained two Grammys on the 2024 awards ceremony earlier this month. They indicated they might maintain off on receiving the state honors till Russell is given the identical recognition.
Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams publicly denounced the “blatant racism of our state management,” calling it “embarrassing and merciless” in a press release.
“This week, Rep. Justin Jones put forth resolutions to honor my band, Paramore, and one other local-to-Nashville artist, Allison Russell, on our latest Grammy wins (so far as I can inform these resolutions don’t have any authorized weight to them. They’re like a giant excessive 5 or when the entire restaurant joins in to sing you “Joyful Birthday”),” she wrote. “Home Republicans solely let the measure that acknowledged Paramore’s win move. They blocked Allison’s.”
Russell, who was born in Montreal however has solid a profession in Nashville, took house the award for Finest American Roots Efficiency for her 2023 single, “Eve Was Black.” In her assertion, Williams described her as “an extremely gifted musician and songwriter.”
Williams continued, “The blatant racism of our state management is embarrassing and merciless. Myself, in addition to Paramore, will proceed to encourage younger folks to indicate as much as vote with equality in thoughts. I’d wish to say thanks to Brother Jones to your steadfast dedication to your neighborhood. And thanks to Allison Russell for utilizing your voice and artistry to band folks collectively, not tear them aside. CONGRATS in your unimaginable Grammy night time. On behalf of Paramore, Joyful Black Historical past Month.”
Russell beforehand weighed in on the Home’s resolution concerning the honor in an Instagram submit on Wednesday. “A lot love, gratitude & appreciation to you @brotherjones_ That you just & @votegloriaj introduced this decision is a excessive honor,” she wrote. “That the TN GOP blocked it, I take as a praise. Their bigotry, sadly, is on relentless show. Now we have an opportunity this yr to make an actual change in TN!”
