James Burton
Louisiana Legends

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2010-09-7
Duration: 00:26:45
Subjects: Burton, James, 1939- | Music | Guitarists | Philanthropists | Country music | Louisiana hayride (Radio program) | Nelson, Rick, 1940-1985 | Orbison, Roy | Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977 | Denver, John | James Burton Foundation
Contributors:
- Courtney, Beth Host
- Allen, Gary Producer
- Godoy, Al Producer
- Burton, James Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from September 7, 2010, features an interview with James Burton conducted by Beth Courtney. Burton, who grew up in Shreveport, is a guitarist who has performed with a variety of singers, including Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. He also established the James Burton Foundation, which donates guitars to schools and needy children. He discusses: his love of music as a young child; the music of Hank Williams, Sr.; country music; his performances with the Louisiana Hayride at age 14; his contribution to the song “Susie Q”; meeting Ricky Nelson; performing with Roy Orbison on Black and White Night; touring with Elvis Presley; playing on Presley’s “Aloha from Hawaii” special; Presley’s death; playing with John Denver; his experimentation with banjo strings; the James Burton Foundation; and the hospitality of Louisiana.