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Paramore has announced that they “will not accept any recognition or honor from the TN House” for their Grammy Awards after a lawmaker objected to similar honors for singer-songwriter Allison Russell.
The group is accusing the Republican-led Tennessee House of Representatives of “blatant racism” after a lawmaker stopped a resolution honoring black singer-songwriter Russell’s recent Grammy win.
The chairman of the House Republican caucus that opposed the resolution honoring Russell, Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Tenn.), said in a statement that “the resolution was not blocked.”
“When a member has a question about a consent calendar item, it is customary to ignore it so that there can be a vote solely on that item,” he said. “As a member of the leadership, several members came to me with questions about the individual, which made it appropriate for us to pause on that particular resolution.”
Paramore won two Grammy Awards at the 2024 awards ceremony earlier this month. They indicated they would postpone receiving state honors until Russell receives the same recognition.
Paramore leader Hayley Williams publicly denounced the “blatant racism of our state leadership,” calling it “shameful and cruel” in a statement.
“This week, Rep. Justin Jones introduced resolutions to honor my band, Paramore, and another local Nashville artist, Allison Russell, for our recent Grammy Awards (as far as I know, these resolutions have no legal weight with them). “They’re like a big high-five or when the whole restaurant joins in to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you,” he wrote. “House Republicans only passed up the measure that recognized Paramore’s victory. “They blocked Allison’s.”
Russell, who was born in Montreal but built a career in Nashville, took home the award for Best American Roots Performance for her 2023 single, “Eve Was Black.” In her statement, Williams described her as “an incredibly talented musician and songwriter.”
Williams continued: “The blatant racism of our state leadership is shameful and cruel. Both I and Paramore will continue to encourage young people to vote with equality in mind. I would like to thank Brother Jones for his steadfast commitment to his community. And thank you to Allison Russell for using your voice and your art to bring people together, not tear them apart. CONGRATULATIONS on your incredible Grammy night. On behalf of Paramore, happy black history month.”
Russell previously weighed in on the House’s decision on the honor in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “Much love, gratitude and appreciation to you @brotherjones_. That you and @votegloriaj have introduced this resolution is a great honor,” she wrote. “That the TN Republican Party has blocked it, I take it as a compliment. Unfortunately, his intolerance manifests itself relentlessly. This year we have the opportunity to make real change in TN!”