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When Arkansas State University held its 2011 spring commencement Saturday, May 7, and Dr. G. Daniel Howard, interim chancellor at ASU confered degrees upon 2,000 graduates, a founder of rockabilly music was among them.
Newport native Albert Austin Burgess, better known as Sonny Burgess, was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Music degree.
ASU recognized Sonny Burgess for his decades of contributions to the musical heritage of the state of Arkansas, the Mississippi River Delta region, and the United States of America.
Honorary degrees are conferred to pay significant and lasting tribute to individuals whose contributions to humanity contribute to knowledge and understanding. Nominees must be distinguished in their respective fields, and their eminence must be widely recognized.
As Dr. Howard, notes, "Sonny Burgess was nominated for the Honorary Doctor of Music degree by the ASU faculty in recognition of his contributions to the rich musical heritage of northeast Arkansas and America. Upon recommendation by the faculty and with approval from the university Board of Trustees, we look forward to conferring the Honorary Doctor of Music degree upon Albert Austin 'Sonny' Burgess. It is very special for ASU to have the opportunity to recognize this extraordinary and talented musician who has been a true inspiration to many."
A brief video presentation featuring Mr. Burgess and his music, produced by Radio-Television instructor Alex Brown, was shown prior to the conferring of the degree. The video contains historic footage, including comments from the late Sam Phillips of Sun Studios.
More than a half century ago, Sonny Burgess was present at the birth of the musical phenomenon called "rock & roll."
He was one of the premier artists in its formative years, and he is one of the very few who continue to perform, delighting live audiences of all ages with his music.
He is a national treasure who has chosen to remain in Arkansas and has been an ambassador for Arkansas around the world, where ironically, he is better known than here at home as a singer, songwriter, musician, and entertainer.
He began playing music in the clubs along what is today called Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67 in Newport, starting his first band in 1950.
After completing his military service, he returned to Newport, playing in the clubs alongside raw new talent like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley.
It was Presley who sent Burgess to Sun Records in Memphis where he would record for four years, personally produced by the legendary Sam Phillips. Today, Burgess is one of the very few remaining artists who recorded for Sun Records in those glory days.
Still active with his band, the Legendary Pacers, Burgess counts Bruce Springsteen among his many admirers. His weekly radio show on KASU 91.9 FM, "We Wanna Boogie," co-hosted with June Taylor, is one of KASU's most popular programs. He has donated music CDs to the university, graciously shares his stories of rock's early years, and acts as goodwill ambassador for northeast Arkansas and for ASU.
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C., has recognized Sonny Burgess in its documentary, "Rockin' on the River."
His performance in 1986 at the Smithsonian Institution's Festival of America Folklife reestablished his status as a pioneer of rock and roll, thirty years after the release of his famous double-sided first hit record, "Red Headed Woman" and "We Wanna Boogie."
He has been inducted into Europe's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in the United States. He was one of the major forces in the movement to designate Arkansas' Highway 67 as a cultural area. And he counts the Governor of Arkansas as an enthusiastic fan.
With the conferring of his honorary degree, Sonny Burgess joined Gov. Mike Beebe as an alumnus of Arkansas State University.
When Arkansas State University held its 2011 spring commencement Saturday, May 7, and Dr. G. Daniel Howard, interim chancellor at ASU confered degrees upon 2,000 graduates, a founder of rockabilly music was among them.
Newport native Albert Austin Burgess, better known as Sonny Burgess, was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Music degree.
ASU recognized Sonny Burgess for his decades of contributions to the musical heritage of the state of Arkansas, the Mississippi River Delta region, and the United States of America.
Honorary degrees are conferred to pay significant and lasting tribute to individuals whose contributions to humanity contribute to knowledge and understanding. Nominees must be distinguished in their respective fields, and their eminence must be widely recognized.
As Dr. Howard, notes, "Sonny Burgess was nominated for the Honorary Doctor of Music degree by the ASU faculty in recognition of his contributions to the rich musical heritage of northeast Arkansas and America. Upon recommendation by the faculty and with approval from the university Board of Trustees, we look forward to conferring the Honorary Doctor of Music degree upon Albert Austin 'Sonny' Burgess. It is very special for ASU to have the opportunity to recognize this extraordinary and talented musician who has been a true inspiration to many."
A brief video presentation featuring Mr. Burgess and his music, produced by Radio-Television instructor Alex Brown, was shown prior to the conferring of the degree. The video contains historic footage, including comments from the late Sam Phillips of Sun Studios.
More than a half century ago, Sonny Burgess was present at the birth of the musical phenomenon called "rock & roll."
He was one of the premier artists in its formative years, and he is one of the very few who continue to perform, delighting live audiences of all ages with his music.
He is a national treasure who has chosen to remain in Arkansas and has been an ambassador for Arkansas around the world, where ironically, he is better known than here at home as a singer, songwriter, musician, and entertainer.
He began playing music in the clubs along what is today called Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67 in Newport, starting his first band in 1950.
After completing his military service, he returned to Newport, playing in the clubs alongside raw new talent like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley.
It was Presley who sent Burgess to Sun Records in Memphis where he would record for four years, personally produced by the legendary Sam Phillips. Today, Burgess is one of the very few remaining artists who recorded for Sun Records in those glory days.
Still active with his band, the Legendary Pacers, Burgess counts Bruce Springsteen among his many admirers. His weekly radio show on KASU 91.9 FM, "We Wanna Boogie," co-hosted with June Taylor, is one of KASU's most popular programs. He has donated music CDs to the university, graciously shares his stories of rock's early years, and acts as goodwill ambassador for northeast Arkansas and for ASU.
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C., has recognized Sonny Burgess in its documentary, "Rockin' on the River."
His performance in 1986 at the Smithsonian Institution's Festival of America Folklife reestablished his status as a pioneer of rock and roll, thirty years after the release of his famous double-sided first hit record, "Red Headed Woman" and "We Wanna Boogie."
He has been inducted into Europe's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in the United States. He was one of the major forces in the movement to designate Arkansas' Highway 67 as a cultural area. And he counts the Governor of Arkansas as an enthusiastic fan.
With the conferring of his honorary degree, Sonny Burgess joined Gov. Mike Beebe as an alumnus of Arkansas State University.
