Visit The Town In Where Elvis Started His Career

Second Only to the Grand Ole Opry: The Legacy of the Louisiana Hayride

Y’all might know Nashville as the heart of country music, thanks to the Grand Ole Opry. But did you know that Shreveport, Louisiana, once gave Music City a real run for its money? Explore Louisiana chronicles the music scene in Louisiana dating back to the mid-1900s that would later open the door for a then little-known aspiring artist named Elvis Presley.

Shreveport became a hotbed for recording and live entertainment, and it was all thanks to a small-town radio show called the Louisiana Hayride. The show made its debut on  KWKH, on April 3, 1948. An instant success, the Louisiana Hayride was heard across 28 states. By 1953, it went from a local sensation to a syndicated nationwide radio show with 198 affiliates that aired on the CBS radio network.

Every Saturday night, crowds gathered at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to watch the next big stars take the stage. And when we say “big,” we mean it! This is the very stage where a young Elvis Presley got his start. It’s also where Hank Williams called home after being snubbed by the Grand Ole Opry.

Bringing the Hayride Back to Life

Want to relive the magic of the Louisiana Hayride? You’re in luck. Bear Family Records has put together a 20-disc box set that includes a beautifully bound book filled with rare photos and stories. It’s not a complete history of the show, but it’s packed with detailed text and audio that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting in the audience, watching the stars rise.

For anyone who loves Louisiana history, country music, or rock ‘n’ roll, this collection is a treasure trove. It’s a reminder that Shreveport played a major role in shaping the music career of the iconic singer/actor best known as the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Visit the Bear Family Records music shop and you will find a massive collection of Elvis-themed merch like CDs, vinyl LPs, 45s, box sets, books, DVDs, and nostalgic Elvis specialty items.

Fascinating Facts About Elvis Performing On The Louisiana Hayride.

During his debut performance Elvis sang "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". The Rock 'n' Roll music legend signed a contract with the radio show to perform every Saturday night for $18 per show. His bandmates, Bill Black and Scotty Moore, received $12 each per show. Elvis's parents had to sign his contract with the show because he was 19 at the time.

Elvis was introduced every Saturday by KWKH radio announcer Frank Page. Elvis did his last Louisiana Hayride show in March 1956, when it ended music promoter, Horace Logan, coined the phrase when he announced, "Elvis has left the building."

So, next time you're on a road trip, take some time to pass through Shreveport and immerse yourself in its rich musical history. The perfect place to visit for more on Elvis and the town's other famous singers Hank Williams and Hank William Jr and so many others is the Stage of the Stars Music Museum. There you will find an incredible collection of music history from today and eras gone by.

Here's A Little Known Fact About Another Mississippi Born Music Legend With Ties To Shreveport, LA

The iconic Sam Cooke may have been born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but one of his most iconic songs, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” was inspired by an incident in Shreveport. Cooke began as a gospel singer with the Soul Stirrers, a renowned gospel group, before making the groundbreaking shift to R&B and soul music, where he became a true pioneer and voice of change.

Sam Cooke’s iconic anthem, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” was deeply inspired by a painful experience of racial discrimination he faced in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1963.

Music Legend, Sam Coode Is Turned Away From A Hotel

On October 8, 1963, Cooke and his entourage arrived at a Holiday Inn North, only to be denied a room due to their race. The desk clerk claimed there were no vacancies when they arrived to check in—a common excuse used at the time to refuse service to African Americans. However, the singer's wife Barbara had already called ahead and reserved their rooms in advance.

The legendary singer was in Shreveport to perform at Shreveport’s Municipal Auditorium the following night. Simply disgusted, Cooke, his wife, and his brother walked out in shock. As they pulled away Cooke and his brother laid on the horns of their Maserati's shouting and cursing in protest. His wife said Sam's superstar status couldn’t protect him in the segregated South.

Luckily the group of four were able to book last-minute reservations at the Black-owned Castle Hotel. Ironically, after lying about the star's reservations the hotel manager called the police to complain Cooke and his family made too much noise as they left. Hours later the iconic music star and his brother were arrested in the Castle Hotel lobby and charged with causing a public disturbance. That afternoon they bonded out for $102.50 each (in today's money that was about $2K). The evening of Sam Cooke's show, a bomb threat nearly stopped the show.

This painful experience left a profound impact on Cooke, motivating him to write  “A Change Is Gonna Come” to capture the struggles of African Americans and the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. The song was released the following year in 1964 on the album Ain’t That Good News. The song became an enduring anthem of hope and a testament to the fight for equality. It remains one of the most powerful songs of the civil rights era.