Hailed as the place where Elvis got his start on the Louisiana Hayride at Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport-Bossier was the nurturing ground for early blues and a special brand of music called rockabilly – which we celebrate year-round with rockin’ events, fun attractions and our endless, inspirational music history and heritage.
From Elvis Presley to Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter to James Burton, Louisiana’s Other Side’s musical roots run deep and soulful. All three men are among artists featured in the Stage of Stars Museum at Municipal Auditorium, at 705 Elvis Presley Avenue in Shreveport.
The museum uncovers stories of the area’s legendary people and places that have impacted the American music scene through displays featuring memorabilia from the heyday of the Louisiana Hayride – a radio show broadcast from the Municipal Auditorium from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.
On October 16, 1954, Presley made his first of 50 appearances under the contracted pay rate of $18 per show for the first year. In addition, the catch-phrase “Elvis has left the building” was coined in Shreveport as it was first uttered at Hirsch Coliseum by Louisiana Hayride producer Horace Logan to quiet screaming teens.
In 2004, on the 50th anniversary of Presley’s first broadcast, a 7½ foot bronze statue, designed by Eric Kaposta, was placed on the steps of the Municipal Auditorium, and to his left is an equally impressive bronze statue of his guitar band mate and Shreveport native James Burton.
Burton started as a house guitar player for the Hayride and later became a member of Elvis’ TCB Band. He also was voted one of the top 100 guitarists of the century.
This summer, Burton will present the James Burton International Guitar Festival Aug. 21-23 in Shreveport. The event, themed “A Tribute to Elvis,” will feature talent competitions and plenty of live music – including the famed James Burton and Friends Concert – and much more. This year, Burton hopes to break the world record for the most guitars playing the same song at the same time.
The festival was created to help raise money for the James Burton Foundation. The foundation provides music training and guitars to children and young adults in schools, communities and hospitals.
Buy Your Tickets Today!
What: James Burton International Guitar Festival’s James Burton and Friends Concert
When: Aug. 22
Where: Municipal Auditorium
Tickets: $25-$100
Information: For complete festival information and a complete list of events, visit
www.jamesburtonmusic.com.
