Paramore Reject Tennessee State Honor in Solidarity With Allison Russell, Citing “Blatant Racism” of House Republicans

At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Paramore formally won their first two trophies: Greatest Rock Album (for This Is Why) and Greatest Various Music Efficiency (for “This Is Why”). One other Tennessee-based artist additionally gained her first Grammy: Eight-time nominee Allison Russell earned Best American Roots Performance for “Eve Was Black.”

In celebration, Nashville Democrat Justin Jones proposed home resolutions to honor the achievements. The resolution for Paramore (a band of white musicians from Tennessee) handed the state’s Home of Representatives unanimously. The resolution for Russell (a Canadian-born Black artist who made her title in Nashville) was referred again to committee, a procedural transfer that The Tennessean’s Melissa Brown and Marcus Ok. Dowling have described as “a dying knell for resolutions.”

After the decision was despatched again to committee, Jones posted on X, “Tonight my Republican colleagues blocked a decision honoring Black American Roots artist Allison Russell for her first Grammy win.”

He continued, “[Allison Russell] has labored tirelessly to foster an inclusive Nashville by way of her music and continues to make Black Historical past right here in Tennessee.✊🏾.”

On Instagram, Russell thanked Jones and Knoxville Democrat Gloria Johnson, writing to Jones, “That you just & @votegloriaj introduced this decision is a excessive honour. That the TN GOP blocked it, I take as a praise. Their bigotry, sadly, is on relentless show. We’ve got an opportunity this 12 months to make an actual change in TN!”

In an Instagram story, Paramore wrote, “Paramore won’t settle for any acknowledgment or honor from the TN Home till Allison Russell is given the identical recognition.” As well as, in a brand new assertion to The Tennessean, Paramore’s Hayley Williams stated, “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.” Discover her full assertion under.

Paramore acquired their begin in Franklin, Tennessee, within the early 2000s. At the moment, the band is predicated in Nashville.

Allison Russell is a Montreal, Quebec, native, however she has made her title in music in Nashville, recording her debut solo album, 2019’s Exterior Youngster, within the Tennessee metropolis. Final 12 months, she helped arrange Nashville’s Love Rising profit present in Tennessee’s then-new law banning drag performances within the state. Hayley Williams was among the many live performance’s performers.

Hayley Williams to The Tennessean:

This week, Rep. Justin Jones put forth resolutions to honor my band, Paramore and one other local-to-Nashville artist, Allison Russell, on our current Grammy wins (so far as I can inform these resolutions haven’t any authorized weight to them. They’re like an enormous excessive 5 or when the entire restaurant joins in to sing you “Pleased Birthday”).

Home Republicans solely let the measure that acknowledged Paramore’s win cross. They blocked Allison’s.

For those who do not know, Allison Russell is an extremely proficient musician and songwriter. Her music spans genres with robust ties to the Folks/Americana scenes. You might need seen her on the Grammy stage performing with the good Joni Mitchell.

Oh, she can also be Black. She’s a superb Black lady.

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 prefer to say thanks to Brother Jones to your steadfast dedication to your group.

And thanks to Allison Russell for utilizing your voice and artistry to band folks collectively, not tear them aside. CONGRATS in your unimaginable Grammy evening.

On behalf of Paramore, Pleased Black Historical past Month.