Louisiana Wins Again at 135th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade

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If you watched the Tournament of Roses Parade before the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, then you know that both Louisiana and Shreveport-Bossier were big winners!

This was the third year in a row that Louisiana had an entry in the annual Tournament of Roses parade and it's also the third year in a row that Louisiana received top honors!

During Louisiana's first appearance in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2022, we snagged the Wrigley Legacy award which is given to the entry featuring an 'outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment.' Last year, Louisiana won the Showmanship Award for the most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment and this year, we took that honor home again! Let's face it, no one knows how to parade like we do in Louisiana. If you missed watching the parade on TV, check it out here!

If you're wondering how Shreveport-Bossier was represented in the parade, that's easy! Not only did we have local floral designers who worked on the float, but it also featured the one and only James Burton!

If you're wondering who James Burton is, then first of all, shame on you! Not only is James Burton an extremely talented guitar player and musician, but he's also written well-known hits like Suzie Q, and was Elvis' band leader! Here's more about our hometown hero thanks to Visit Shreveport-Bossier:

James Burton grew up in Shreveport where he also discovered a ’53 Fender Telecaster, and at only 14 years old, he began an incredible career.  He wrote the music for the famous record “Suzie Q,” became a staff musician on the Louisiana Hayride radio show, and then joined Bob Luman’s Band journeying to Los Angeles to perform in “Carnaval Rock”. He met Ricky Nelson and joined him on the Ozzie & Harriet Shows. Burton’s unique guitar style not only placed him in the Hollywood Rock 'n' Roll and Country universe but also kept the attention of Elvis since his time on the Louisiana Hayride. Burton was Elvis’ band leader until Elvis’ passing in 1977.

Impressive, right? During his incredible career, Burton has played with other notable names like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Costello, Linda Ronstadt, Tina Turner, The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison.

Burton was joined on the 'Explore Louisiana' float by Amanda Shaw and Sean Ardoin who are both fantastic, but neither of them have Burton's cache! James has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Musicians Hall of Fame, The Academy of Country Music Hall of Fame, The Rockabilly Hall of Fame, The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, The Fender Guitar Hall of Fame and he is a multi-Grammy winner.