![]() The Louisiana Hayride was Louisiana’s answer to Tennessee’s Grand Old Oprey. The inaugural performers included the Bailes Brothers the Four Deacons Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys, with Miss Kitty Wells Curley Kinsey and the Tennessee Ridge Runners Harmie Smith and the Ozark Mountaineers Pappy Covington’s band the Mercer Brothers and Tex Grimsley and the Texas Playboy. With the exception of a one-hour segment in which network obligations took precedent, KWKH broadcast the entire three-hour show. on April 3rd, 1948 in Shreveport’s Municipal Memorial Auditorium, a venue capable of holding a huge audience. The stage and radio show premiered at 8:00 p.m. The most beloved, nationally known show that introduced up and coming southern country music artists was the widely popular “The Louisiana Hayride” that was heard live on radio on KWKH, as well as being live at The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium that had 3,800 seats. It was used as a temporary barracks for soldiers.Īfter the end of WW2, it took only one very popular show to expand the listenership to all of America where country music was loved. It became the main source of entertainment on a Saturday night.ĭuring World War 2, The Shreveport Municipal auditorium did its part. Since the day it opened, the Municipal Auditorium was a favorite first among the local folks for performance tours, shows of all kinds, culture events, high school graduations, films, social and business events, and anything else needing a space to offer activities. Between the two entities, they did a fantastic job! A Shreveport Contractor for construction of this memorial auditorium was the Ashton Glassell Company. Wiener, Sr., and Seymour Van Os came up with the inspiring design worthy of a memorial building. ![]() They hired local designing group Roessle, Olschner & Wiener. They came up with the idea of building it in memory WW1 soldiers. In 1927, the Mayor of Shreveport Lee Emmett Thomas and the City Council of Shreveport decided that the town needed a civic center for activities for the public and private events. In front of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium are two bronze statues of a famous musician and an American Icon who got their start here Elvis Presley and talented guitarist James Burton. I never seen more intricate use of brick and limestone to create such beautiful outside designs, with intricate brick work, windows with limestone lining around.Īcross the upper half of the front of the building, states who it is dedicated to in stone in memory of the brave men of WW1. Indeed! Human craftsmanship and creativity is truly showcased here. The outside decor is impressive! “The exterior is a tour de force of intricately worked brick and carved limestone.” “It is constructed of brick and limestone and features intensive Modernistic styling.” Its design and construction was inspired by the honor to be a monument of thanks to WW1 soldiers dead and alive. The 3,200 seat Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a beauty. On our 2019 road trip, Tom and I visited Shreveport, and were mighty impressed with this outside presentation of this grand auditorium. The building has been altered very little since construction and even retains its original exterior and interior light fixtures.”īesides having very practical yet beautiful, lavish decor in the inside of this magnificent building, it is a beautifully striking on the outside as well. “The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a five story civic center containing an auditorium, a ballroom, offices, and exhibition space. The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is aptly described on the NRHP registration form. ![]() Today, it still is very active making great use of its huge auditorium for stage, musical performances, tours of all kinds visiting mediums, sports events and family shows,etc. It was built to last for centuries and to be relevant for many years to come. It is renown for its fantastic Art Deco / Modernism architecture and its performing arts history being named the best example of Art Deco in northern Louisiana.īesides being recognized as a fantastic example of Art Deco and Modernism style of architecture, the beloved Shreveport Municipal Auditorium has been the ultimate community/civic center that offers space for many kinds of social and cultural activities and conventions as well. The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium has achieved the rare honor of being listed on not only National Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historical Landmarks but also being one of the reasons for Shreveport to receive the honor of being listed as the Shreveport Commercial Historic District(#82002760) When tragedy strikes, spirits can linger… People who enjoyed the performing arts while alive, continue to do so as spirits.
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