The Louisiana Hayride

Billboard Magazine would often list the Louisiana Hayride roster in their Folk Talent And Tunes section. Here is a listing from November 27, 1954 ... see if you recognize some of these names on the Hayride roster.

65 years ago the Louisiana Hayride was still going strong. The year was 1957.
If you came out to a Hayride show at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, LA during the late spring or summer here are some of the artists you might have seen:
Mel Tillis, Johnny Horton, Dave Rich, David Houston, Jimmy and Johnny, Carl Perkins, Margaret Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Mathis, Sleep La Beef, James O'Gwynn, Hank Locklin, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Hoot and Curley, Buddy Attaway and many many others.

Do you recognize any of the cast in this Louisiana Hayride cast photo? (August 15, 1954)

Did you know the 'At The Louisiana Hayride Tonight' Box Set, which included a 224 page hardcover book, and 20 CDs with 561 tracks of live performances, received a 2019 Grammy Nomination for 'Best Historical Album'?
Check out the track listing ... it's a Who's Who of Country Music History. It all happened on the Louisiana Hayride ... The Cradle of the Stars.

At The Louisiana Hayride Tonight At The Louisiana Hayride Tonight

How did Elvis first get on the Hayride?
Jimmy and Johnny's manager, Tillman Franks, was wanting to book his act on a lucrative date in Carlsbad, NM (they were riding a hit record, "If You Don't Somebody Else Will) and the only way the Hayride would let Tillman book Jimmy and Johnny in Carlsbad was if Tillman could find a replacement to take their middle slot on the Hayride on Saturday night.
So Tillman encouraged them to give Elvis a shot. And they did!
Here's a 1976 interview with Tillman talking about when Elvis came to the Hayride.
http://classiccountryrevival.com/tillman-franks-1976-interview/

Tillman Franks 1976 Interview – Elvis, Jimmy & Johnny, Webb Pierce Tillman Franks recounts how he was a part of bringing Elvis to the Louisiana Hayride in an effort to free Jimmy and Johnny up for better paying venues.

Have you seen the new Elvis movie? We hear there is mention of the Louisiana Hayride often. If you saw it, what do you think? https://youtu.be/wBDLRvjHVOY

Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS | Official Trailer Austin Butler and Tom Hanks star in Baz Luhrmann’s , only in theaters June 24. ://elvis.warnerbros.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ElvisMovie...

If you have caught the Michelob ULTRA '19th Hole' commercial lately on ESPN, The Golf Channel, CBS, TBN or other networks ... you might have heard the song used in the ad, "Just Do The Best You Can" and thought ... "that sounds like some classic Country Music".
It is ... that is Country Johnny Mathis.
Johnny was a regular on the Louisiana Hayride in the 50's both as an artist and with the duo, Jimmy and Johnny.
Here's the commercial: https://youtu.be/N37fig3PMYo

The DNA of the Louisiana Hayride runs deep in American Music! https://www.baltimoresun.com/la-et-ms-don-henley-cass-county-eagles-desperado-20150924-story.html

Like the Eagles' 'Desperado'? Don Henley says thank Stephen Foster Advertisement Advertisement Like the Eagles' 'Desperado'? Don Henley says thank Stephen Foster By Randy Lewis Sep 25, 2015 at 9:00 AM Don Henley, of The Eagles, goes solo once again with his latest album, "Cass County." The country tinged album, co-produced with Stan Lynch, features Merle Haggard, A...

80 miles from Shreveport, La (the home of the Louisiana Hayride) across the state line in Texas .. two Johnny Mathis' were born. One would later become a regular on the Hayride as the duo, Jimmy and Johnny and a solo artist. The other would go on to a career in pop music.
http://classiccountryrevival.com/johnny-mathis-meet-johnny-mathis/?fbclid=IwAR3eEAr-sFhELIX9peSFmB6dBxL7ET6iUmJUvDQZtU6a9JL2BBPh68iP8lk

Johnny Mathis Meet Johnny Mathis There have been two Johnny Mathis' in music since the 1950's, they had some things in common early on. Then one would eventually become known as a pop icon and the other became a prolific songwriter in Country Music.

Merry Christmas to all!! 🎄

Flashback Friday ... take a look at the Top 20 Country Songs of 1951 when the Louisiana Hayride was making new stars during the decade of the 50's.

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

We remember ... and we honor all those made the sacrifice. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Happy Mother's Day!!!