Shreveport, LA Legend is Ready to Rock the Rose Bowl Parade

You won't believe which Shreveport legend will be representing Louisiana in the Tournament of Roses Parade before the Rose Bowl!

Who will represent Louisiana in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade?

Rock and roll legend, Shreveport's own James Burton, will be on the 'Louisiana' float in this year's Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA before the Rose Bowl game. The Rose Bowl is a College Football Semifinal Playoff game on Monday, January 1st, 2024, and will feature #1 University of Michigan and #4 University of Alabama. Burton will be joined on Louisiana's float by his adult grandchildren, Skylar Blythe and Taylor Burton.

Why is Shreveport's own James Burton considered a 'legend?'

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.

And forget about a trophy cabinet, James Burton needs an entire warehouse for all of his accolades and honors, including being 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.

The 2024 Rose Parade® is coming up on Monday, January 1st, 2024, and features hundreds of entries making their way along the 5.5-mile route. The parade will be broadcast live at 10 am CST on ABC (KTBS-TV) and NBC (KTAL-TV).