1999 Assembly Resolution 27
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and contributions of Frank "Pee Wee" King.
Whereas, Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski was born February 18, 1914, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; raised in Abrams, Wisconsin; and died March 7, 2000, in Louisville, Kentucky; and
Whereas, Mr. Kuczynski, proficient on the accordion, eventually became Frank "Pee Wee" King, and was hired in 1932 to play for Gene Autry's Range Riders on Chicago's National Barn Dance; and
Whereas, Frank "Pee Wee" King formed the Golden West Cowboys, and brought his show band to Nashville's Grand Ole Opry from 1937 until 1947; and
Whereas, King and fellow band member, Redd Stewart, wrote "Tennessee Waltz", which became a major hit for them in 1948 and again in 1951; and wrote with Chilton Price, "Slow Poke", which topped both country and pop charts in 1951; and
Whereas, King moved the Golden West Cowboys to Louisville in 1947 to do television and recording work, which led to the band's pioneering music style being heard in big ballrooms outside the South and Southwest; and
Whereas, from 1950, King wrote a monthly column in Country Song Roundup to assist in his promotion of country music; and
Whereas, King was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1974; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the members of the assembly of the state of Wisconsin honor and commend Frank "Pee Wee" King's accomplishments and contributions to country and western music; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this resolution to the family members of Frank "Pee Wee" King.
