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H. R. No. 67 *HR26/R2556* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/HR26/R2556
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative James-Jones
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 67
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. DEMARCUS 1
"SHOUTOUT 2 D" FORD UPON HIS MUSICAL ARTISTRY AND SUCCESS AS AN 2
AMBASSADOR AND CULTIVATOR OF THE SOUTHERN SOUL SOUNDSCAPE. 3
WHEREAS, Mr. DeMarcus Ford, affectionately known throughout 4
the Southern Soul and Blues community as "Shoutout 2 D Ford" or 5
simply "D Ford," stands as a gifted musician, producer and 6
songwriter whose artistry is deeply rooted in the fertile musical 7
soil of the Mississippi Delta; and 8
WHEREAS, born in Indianola, Mississippi, and educated at John 9
F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, Mr. 10
Ford was raised amidst the enduring legacy of blues, soul and 11
storytelling that has long defined this region as the cradle of 12
authentic American music; and 13
WHEREAS, now residing in Belzoni, Mississippi, he continues 14
to carry forward that rich cultural inheritance, shaping and 15
preserving the Southern Soul soundscape through his creative 16
excellence and disciplined craftsmanship; and 17
H. R. No. 67 *HR26/R2556* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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WHEREAS, inspired at the age of 16 by his brother-in-law, 18
Terrence Liddell, to begin playing the guitar, Mr. Ford further 19
refined his distinctive style under the influence of the legendary 20
Delta blues icon Muddy Waters, whose innovative guitar sound 21
helped cultivate Mr. Ford's appreciation for the raw and honest 22
expression of Mississippi blues; and 23
WHEREAS, drawing inspiration from Mississippi hip-hop pioneer 24
David Banner, particularly in the art of beat-making and personal 25
branding, Mr. Ford created his now-recognizable producer tag, 26
"Shoutout 2 D Ford," which has become a signature hallmark stamped 27
across his productions and widely recognized throughout the 28
Southern Soul and trail-ride music communities; and 29
WHEREAS, as a skilled multi-instrumentalist proficient in 30
guitar, bass and piano, Mr. Ford possesses the rare ability to 31
compose and produce full, authentic Southern Soul arrangements 32
that resonate in juke joints, dance halls and trail rides across 33
the South, preserving a cultural sound that reflects both heritage 34
and innovation; and 35
WHEREAS, his production credits include notable works such as 36
"Keep On Stepping" by Mike Clark, Jr., "Welcome to the Country" by 37
Arthur Young, "Cowgirl Trailride" by Tonio Armani, "Juke Joint 38
Love" by Simply Wayne, and "My Type of Carrying On" by Nephew 39
Jones, along with hundreds of additional recordings that continue 40
to energize audiences and elevate artists throughout the region; 41
and 42
H. R. No. 67 *HR26/R2556* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Demarcus "Shoutout 2 D Ford" Ford; commend
musical accomplishments and artistry of.
WHEREAS, beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Ford is a 43
devoted husband to his wife, Felicia, and a proud father to Zoey, 44
Aalayah, Jayda, Jordan and Ziyon, embodying the values of faith, 45
family and community as a faithful member of Strangers Home Church 46
in Isola, Mississippi; and 47
WHEREAS, guided by his abiding belief that "Where words fail, 48
music speaks," Mr. Ford has used his gifts not only to entertain 49
but to uplift communities, tell authentic Southern stories and 50
safeguard the cultural rhythm of Southern Soul for future 51
generations; and 52
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 53
recognize citizens of Mr. Ford's esteemed caliber, whose talent 54
and integrity reflect honor upon the State of Mississippi and who 55
serve as ambassadors of its cultural legacy through excellence in 56
their chosen craft: 57
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 58
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 59
commend and congratulate Mr. DeMarcus "Shoutout 2 D" Ford upon his 60
musical artistry and success as an ambassador and cultivator of 61
the Southern Soul soundscape, and extend sincere appreciation for 62
his contributions to the preservation and advancement of 63
Mississippi's rich musical heritage. 64
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 65
furnished to Mr. DeMarcus "Shoutout 2 D" Ford and to the members 66
of the Capitol Press Corps. 67