South Carolina H 4369: Anthony Jerome McKnight

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4369 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 22, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4369

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor celebrated 
performer Anthony Jerome McKnight for his distinguished career as a singer and 
entertainer. 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives 
pause in their deliberations to commend and celebrate the remarkable career and 
achievements of the talented Anthony Jerome McKnight, whose dedication to music 
and community service has left a lasting impact; and

Whereas, Anthony Jerome McKnight was born on October 12, 1953, the 
youngest son of Felix Sr. and Everlina B. McKnight. Affectionately known as 
"McKnight" to his friends, he attended Burke High School in Charleston, 
graduating in 1972. While in high school, he formed the vocal group "Dynamic 
Diamonds," which gained recognition for winning numerous school talent 
competitions; and

Whereas, in 1973, McKnight enlisted in the United States Navy and was 
stationed aboard the USS Orion (AS-18), homeported in Charleston. During his military 
service, he reorganized his former vocal group and renamed it "The Black 
Velvets," continuing to pursue his musical aspirations; and

Whereas, McKnight was honorably discharged from the Navy on January 
23, 1975. Decades later in 2013, he became a dedicated advocate for fellow 
veterans, serving as a Disabled American Veteran annual service officer for the 
Roderick G. Patterson Chapter 77 in South Carolina; and

Whereas, in 1997, McKnight founded Oceanfront Productions Recording 
Studio in Pawley's Island, where he serves as CEO. He also holds the esteemed position 
of president of the South Carolina Chapter of the Motown Alumni Association and 
remains actively involved in composing and recording music; and

Whereas, inspired by the values instilled by his parents, trust in 
God and the importance of hard work, McKnight has remained committed to his 
passion for music. He has released several CD's: The Black Velvets 
(1997), Just Being Me (2010), Old School Girl (2011), It's 
Cool to Fall in Love (2013), a cover of the Temptations' You're My 
Everything (2014), and his last recorded single, Keep It on the Low 
(2016). His music was played on local radio stations gaining The Black Velvets 
notoriety and many fans who loved and appreciated their music. Fans would call 
in to request the DJ to play Anthony McKnight's CDs during the R&B segment 
on Saturday mornings; and

Whereas, McKnight has written and cowritten theme songs for radio disc 
jockeys Mikey D. and Cee Cee Edwards of Pawley's Island, the late Frankie "The 
Big Bopper" Green and the late Ken Moore from radio station Magic 107.3 in 
Charleston; and

Whereas, McKnight also was instrumental in securing a headstone in 
2019 for his cousin James Jamerson, an American bassist who was uncredited on 
most of Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s. Regarded as one of 
the greatest and most influential bass players in modern music history, 
Jamerson was a session musician with Motown Records' Funk Brothers in Detroit, 
Michigan. In 2017, Jamerson was honored with a resolution from the City of 
Edisto Island. In 2018, McKnight accepted the Independent Tone Award for 
Jamerson aboard the USS Yorktown in Charleston. Other honors posthumously given 
to Jamerson in 2018 include the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Keeper Award, 
the Lowcountry Hall of Fame Award, and the Carolina Beach Award from 
Greensboro, North Carolina; and

Whereas, in 2020, McKnight also garnered a proclamation from the City 
of Charleston for Jamerson. That same year Jamerson received the Charleston 
County Republican Party North Star Award. McKnight has produced five Jamerson 
Bass Symposiums in his hometown and in 2023, McKnight helped spearhead a 
campaign to have a street in Jamerson's hometown of Edisto Island named in his 
memory. On April 23, 2024, James Jamerson Sr. was inducted into the South 
Carolina Entertainers & Musicians Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives appreciate the 
unparalleled talent and widely varied work of Anthony Jerome McKnight and are 
grateful for his outstanding contributions to the music industry and to the State 
of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South 
Carolina House of Representatives, by this 
resolution, recognize and honor celebrated performer Anthony Jerome McKnight 
for his distinguished career as a singer and entertainer.

Be it further resolved that a copy 
of this resolution be presented to Anthony Jerome McKnight.

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This web page was last updated on April 22, 2025 at 01:55 PM