12-14-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 14, 2009 , Whereas in the Fall of 1934 the Nicks family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where William Tyrel Nicks later attended Central High School. Here is where he earned the name Billy “Stix” Nicks from Jackie Ivory because of his obsession to practice his drum sticks on just about everything in the school; and Whereas, in the Fall of 1952, self-taught drummer Billy “Stix” Nicks and his quartet played at weekly sock hop dance parties at all of the local high schools; in 1953- st 1954 Billy was the 1 Black to be elected Vice-President of the South Bend Central st Student Council; was the 1 Black to make Central’s Gymnastics Team; from 1953 to 1955 Billy’s band “The Blue Notes” became widely known for their showmanship as the Whopper Bopping Show Stoppers; and in 1955 Billy was awarded the Herring House Youth Achievement Award for being instrumental in having Jackie Robinson visit the Herring House; and , Whereas after his graduation from South Bend Central High School in 1954, Billy “Stix” Nicks and “The Rhythm Rockers” played at the Morris Park Country Club; and in 1956 and 1957 they were hired to do the Club 46 WNDU TV afternoon teen party dance shows until Billy was drafted into the US Army in 1958 where he played as a percussionist for the Army Band at Fort Benning Georgia; and , Whereas as a member of the US Army Band, Billy “Stix” Nicks traveled to Germany and later studied Black History in Denmark and Sweden; and following his honorable discharge eventually joined forces with “Jackie Ivory and The Gents of Soul” which led to several record recording releases at Soul Discovery, LP; Atco/Atlantic Records; Universal Studios; Motown/Soul record labels; and , Whereas Billy “Stix” Nicks has earned many, many musical accomplishments and has played at the Apollo Theater in New York, at Harvard University, at the Regal Theatre in Chicago; at Shea Stadium - just to highlight a few and has performed with Louie Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., The Fifth Dimension, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, The Supremes, and Dionne Warwick; with the “Billy Nicks Jazz Trio” topping the Dick Clark National Band Stand television show; & received a Key to the City from Mayor Luecke on December 5, 2009. Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, , Indiana as follows: Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council hereby publicly honors and celebrates with a very grateful South Bend community the many, many accomplishments of the very talented and gifted drummer th and world class percussionist Billy “Stix” Nicks as he continues to celebrate his 75 birthday. Section II. The South Bend Common Council honors Billy “Stix” Nicks for his sincere dedication and passion to becoming a world-class drummer which has earned him a teaching position at the University of Notre Dame where he has taught percussion since 2004 as an Adjunct Professor. Section III. The Common Council of the City of South Bend believes that the special talents of the very gifted Billy “Stix” Nicks are best summarized in Billy’s own words: “I just shut everything out and just concentrate on what I’m doing there. One thing I realize, music is a spiritual thing, and with me that’s what I’m dealing with…” Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. 2