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Office of Communications Gwen Campbell Media, Community & Education Relations Tel. 318.673.5062 / Fax: 318.673.5087 gwen.campbell@shreveportla.gov | ||
On Monday, December 21, 2009 Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover will join representatives of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, Louisiana Hayride Announcer/Historian Frank Page and Hayride/Elvis Guitarist James Burton in a ceremony that will officially designate the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium as a National Historic Landmark. In recognition of its national significance in the history of the United States, a regal bronze marker will be unveiled at the 11:00 a.m. ceremony in the Grand Lobby of the Municipal Auditorium. | “It is indeed an honor to be a part of the rich history of the Municipal Auditorium,” says Mayor Glover. “And it is with great pride that we, many of us who are life-long Shreveport residents, are here to witness yet another national recognition for a place that had such humble beginnings, to gain significance as the home of the Louisiana Hayride, and the rest as you say, is history.” | This designation is quite significant, of the 53 national landmarks in Louisiana the Municipal Auditorium is only one of ten in Northwest Louisiana. The only other National Historic Landmark in the Shreveport area is the McNeil Street Pumping Station. | Landmark designation recognizes and encourages the preservation of places that have exceptional value for commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States, for the inspiration and benefit for all Americans. | “We are delighted to enroll the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium as a National Historic Landmark – a designation that reflects the preservation of this property as an irreplaceable part of our nation’s heritage,” says J. Paul Loether, Chief of the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program. | “Having played in entertainment venues around the world, I can say without a doubt that the Municipal Auditorium exemplifies the finest sound quality of all,” says James Burton. “The Municipal has a rich music heritage and entertainers have been honored to perform there since it’s been built. | I am glad that I was a part of that historical era and continue to perform at the Municipal every year as the founder of the James Burton International Guitar Festival and James Burton Foundation. We continue to invest in the area and have made our corporate foundation offices across the street from the historic Municipal.” | The National Historic Landmark marker reads: | This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America. | The Louisiana Hayride was an innovative radio show broadcast from the stage of this auditorium from 1948 to 1960. It introduced and featured an exceptional number of extraordinary musicians and songwriters who later became monumental figures in American Music History. Station KWKH’s weekly 50,000 watt broadcast played a critical role in the development and popularity of Country and Rockabilly Music. Artists who performed here in the “Cradle of Stars” and became musical legends include, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. | ### |
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