Honoring
Northeast Louisiana's
Rich Musical Heritage
by recognizing and celebrating the musicians, music, places, stories, and people who make up this special area of the world.
#1
1933-2010
WINNSBORO, LA
Fred Carter Jr.
A virtuoso guitarist, songwriter, producer, recording artist & rock and roll pioneer.
Fred worked with the Louisiana Hayride, The Band, Conway Twitty, Bob Dylan, Johnny & June Carter Cash, Roy Orbison, Simon & Garfunkel, Muddy Waters, Dean Martin, Chet Atkins, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bridger, his daughter Deanna Carter among many others.
#2
RAYVILLE, LA
Po’ Henry and Tookie
Henry Dorsey & Marlan Tookie Collom first met while working on a cotton farm, their mutual love for old time delta blues made them friends for life. As the duo Po’Henry and Tookie, they played New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mississippi Delta Blues Fest, Louisiana Folklife Fest, Rayville’s Pickin’ and Ginnin’, Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. and hundreds of venues nationwide.
#3
1921-1991
WEST MONROE, LA
Webb Pierce
As a major recording artist and performer, Michael Webb Pierce had 13 number one hits & 42 top ten singles. He was a headliner on the Louisiana Hayride, Grand Ole Opry & concert venues nation wide. Webb’s hits included “Wondering”, “There Stands the Class”, “Slowly” and “In the Jailhouse Now”. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
#4
b. 1945
WISNER, LA
Gene King
“A Musician’s Musician”
Gene, a lifelong resident of Turkey Creek – Wisner, hosted the Franklin & Delta Country Music Oprys. He traveled the globe as bandleader with Roy Clark, Michael Landon, George Goober Lindsey, The Hagar’s, Jody Miller & many others. As a legendary guitarist, singer-songwriter, TV-radio personality, producer & mentor to all, Gene King is country music!
#5
1899-2000
QUITMAN, LA
Governor Jimmie Davis
A son of sharecroppers, James Houston Davis went on to become a Hollywood movie star, song writer, recording artist, twice-elected governor of Louisiana, & member of the Country, Grammy & Gospel Music Halls of Fame. Jimmie’s iconic tune “You Are My Sunshine” is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest songs of all time. His gospel music
recordings are celebrated to this day.
#6
1926-2012
TALLULAH, LA
Rufus "RIP" Wimberly
“I Love the music of the Blues, the sound of it, the words…”
Born in Bienville Parish, Rip called Tallulah, LA. his home. As a teen he worked the sawmill all day, playing the pool halls & juke joints all night. As a noted blues guitarist & vocalist, Rip’s early collaborations with Willie Dixon & Guitar Slim later found him ripping it up at New Orleans Jazz Fest, Louisiana Folklife Fest & Pig Fest… Rip’s journey & album “Highway 80 Blues” were featured in Living Blues Magazine, a celebration of a life well lived & loved.
#7
b. 1945
COLUMBIA, LA
Bobby Bridger
A celebrated singer-songwriter, poet, author, playwright, sculptor, painter, historian & Native American activist… Born Robert Durham in Columbia, LA., Bobby was part of the early music scene in Austin, TX. His highly acclaimed epic trilogy “A Ballad of the West,” world wide tours, albums on Monument, RCA & Golden Egg Records, appearances on Austin City Limits, & American Experience on PBS created a global following. He is the 2016 recipient of the John G. Neihardt Foundation’s prestigious “Word Sender” award. Bobby’s song, “Heal in the Wisdom,” is a beloved international anthem of hope & peace.
#8
b. 1938
RAYVILLE, LA
Gene Stewart
“The Original Country Rebel!”
Born in 1938, Gene’s country music career spans over 7 decades as a singer, songwriter, recording artist & popular entertainer. His 1972 recording of the national hit “Rub It In” on the Camaro label was followed by “It’s Not Much But It’s Home”, a song that recognizes Gene’s love for his hometown of Rayville, beloved fans & service as a veteran & postmaster. Gene appeared on stage with Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Price, Jim Ed Brown, James Burton, Merle Kilgore, Gov. Jimmie Davis, David Houston, Gene Watson, Dylan Scott, Lainey Wilson & many others.
#9
1967
MONROE, LA
The Monroe Civic Center Arena
Opened in 1967 & over the years has hosted some of the most important artists in music & theater history, including: Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Prince, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackson 5, Johnny Cash, The Temptations, Four Tops, Loretta Lynn. Conway Twitty, Ray Charles, Mable John, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, ZZ Top, Reba McEntire, James Brown, Brooks & Dunn, Rush, James Taylor, Chicago, Jimmy Buffett, Sonny & Cher, The Turtles, Run DMC, Journey, Al Green, Parliament Funkadelic, Steppenwolf, Barkays, Gap Band, Motley Crue, Waylon Jennings, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Commodores & hundreds more….
#10
1943-2018
OAK GROVE, LA
Tony Joe White
Nicknamed the Swamp Fox for his bluesy, bayou-evocative storytelling, Tony Joe was born and raised in the Goodwill community, just outside of Oak Grove. Always embracing his roots with lyrics based on the people and places he grew up around, White penned songs such as “Polk Salad Annie,” “Rainy Night in Georgia” and “Steamy Windows,” which became hits for himself as well as Elvis Presley, Brook Benton, and Tina Turner.
#11
1930-2022
BASTROP, LA
Mable John
Born in Bastrop, LA. Mable grew up in Arkansas, birthplace of her brother, blues legend Little Willie John. Their family moved on to Detroit where her musical journey began. As the first female signed to the Tamla-Motown label, Mable recorded with her mentor, Berry Cordy, The Supremes. The Miracles & many others as a Raelette, she sang on many of Ray Charles’ standards while writing & releasing a string of her own hits on the Stax label. After years of touring, Mable John found her calling as a gospel music pioneer, minister & community activist in California.
#12
1947-2023
GILBERT, LA
John L. Brown Sr.
Born in Franklin Parish, John considered Gilbert his home. As a drummer for Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Doug Duffey, Donna Fargo & many others, he traveled the world. As a friend & mentor to musicians of all genres, his legacy will live on!
“Home at Last”
#13
1929
MONROE, LA
Savoy Ballroom
Built in 1929 the Miller-Roy Building, a vibrant hub for Monroe’s African American owned business community, was also home to the illustrious Savoy Ballroom, as a stop on the renowned “Chitlin Circuit”. This historic venue hosted performances by international music icons Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Ivory Joe Hunter & many more.
#14
1953-1970
WEST MONROE, LA
The Twin City Jamboree
Popular with musicians & audiences alike, the Twin City Jamboree was held Saturday nights on this site, home to the old Ouachita Valley Fairgrounds. Began by partners Alex L. Myatt, Jack Hollingsworth, Loy Wallace, Sam Davis, Eddie Deloach & Fulton Mobley, it showcased country & bluegrass talent including legends Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Burton, Martha Carson, Merle Kilgore & Johnny Horton!
Also featured were regional stars: Alex L. Myatt, Jack Hollingsworth, Duane “Chubby” Stewart, “Doc” Savage, Loy Wallace, Al Jordan, Wilford Ray, Fred Beavers, Alice Faye (Myatt), Bruce Allen, Ed Sawyer, Billy Camp & Beverly, James Hutchins Bryan Ritter, Sam Hawthorne, Bob Preddy, Tim Johnson, “Scooter” Howard, Grandma Tharp, Wilbur Duke, Jan Murphy, Billy Ledbetter, Bobby Bridger, David Craighead, Joe Burton, Gene Stewart, Billy Booth, Annette Cupit, “Howdy” Edwards, Joe Barmore. “Happy” Hibbard, Laymon Godwin, Wayne Cox, Malvin Ellington, James Pastel & many more….
#15
1911-1974
MONROE, LA
Ivory Joe Hunter
“The Baron of Boogie”
Ivory Joe, a legendary pianist & prolific singer- songwriter was born in Kirbyville, TX. Hunter made Monroe, LA. his family’s home for 3 decades, all the while writing some of his best known tunes, touring the country, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show & The Grand Ole Opry. Among the thousands of songs he wrote & recorded, “Since I Met You Baby”, “Blues at Sunrise”, & “I Almost Lost My Mind” topped the charts & are considered blues standards.
#16
1980
MONROE, LA
Enoch's Pub & Cafe
A family owned & operated business founded on St. Patrick’s Day 1980 by Enoch Doyle & Yvette Jeter. Known internationally for live music & comradery among patrons, Enoch’s legacy lives on. A toast to all who have passed through it’s doors. Sláinte!
“Our walls tell the story….”
#17
1935-1997
EXTENSION, LA
Richard Berry Jr.
Best known as the composer & original performer of the rock classic “Louie Louie,” Berry was a Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rock & Roll pioneer. His work with The Flairs, The Robins, Etta James, The Pharaohs, & many others guarantees his place among music royalty. “Louie Louie” remains one of the most recorded & performed songs in history. Franklin Parish celebrates Richard Berry & Family!
#18
b. 1950
WEST MONROE, LA
Doug Duffey
“I didn’t choose the blues, the blues chose me.”
Born 1950 Monroe, LA member of the Louisiana, NELA, and National Blues Hall of Fame. As a Capital, Emi, Warner & Motown recording artist, he has headlined festivals and music venues worldwide. Doug Duffey has written songs for, performed and recorded with George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, P-Funk, Rare Earth, Keith Richards, Nicky Hopkins, Lil’ Queenie, Marcia Ball, Maceo Parker, Jerry Beach, Dan Sumner…
#19
1916-2002
MER ROUGE, LA
Hoss Logan
Born in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, Horace “Hoss” Logan was the announcer, director and talent scout for the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. He welcomed Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton, Kitty Wells, Slim Whitman, George Jones, Merle Kilgore, Dale Hawkins, Margaret Lewis & many others to the Hayride stage. Hoss also introduced a young rocker named Elvis Presley to the world. He will forever be remembered for his iconic phrase: “Elvis has left the building!”
#20
b. 1992
BASKIN, LA
Lainey Wilson
Born in 1992, Country Music Trailblazer Lainey Denay Wilson is a musician, singer, songwriter, actress & storyteller. Armed with a strong family work ethic & a lifelong dream, Lainey hit Nashville in 2011. Baskin native & producer Jerry Cupit not only gave her a place to stay, they wrote hundreds of songs together. By 2018, she signed a publishing deal with Sony & a major recording contract with BBR. In 2020, Lainey’s release of “Things a Man Outta Know” sent her to new heights. This earned her the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year & New Female Artist of the Year Award in 2021. Since then, Lainey has played to sold out crowds all over the world.