Photo: Legendary guitarist James Burton will host the 2014 James Burton International Guitar Festival, Aug. 22-24, at several venues in downtown Shreveport.
The list of performers scheduled to take part in the 2014 James Burton International Guitar Festival was announced today at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. The festival will be held, Aug. 22-24, at various sites in downtown Shreveport. Musicians scheduled to take part include “Master of the Telecaster” and festival namesake James Burton, country star Trace Adkins, Late Show with David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer, Heart singer and songwriter Ann Wilson, Jimmie Vaughn of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, “Hang On Sloopy” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” writer and guitarist Rick Derringer, Gunnar Nelson, Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats, Grand Ole Opry performer Doyle Dykes and daughter Haley Dykes, The Vosburys, Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and POCO, Noel Haggard, Lincoln Brewster, “boogie woogie” piano player Rob Haynes, and Rick Vito and Billy Burnett of Fleetwood Mac.
Two other special celebrity guests are Mike Wolfe of the popular History TV show American Pickers and actress and businesswoman Priscilla Presley. An unnamed mystery guest whose participation depends on a family issue was mentioned several times during the press conference and members of the media in attendance were asked to “pray that the grand-baby is born on time” so that this mystery guitarist can take part in the festival.
Festival organizers mentioned that tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com and sponsorships are still being sought for the event. The festival has expanded its scope from a one-night concert to a weekend-long celebration including events at multiple locations, ranging from a 75th birthday party for Burton on Friday, Aug. 22 to a “Guitars for Good” concert on Sunday, Aug. 24. Lots of festival events are free, which is wonderful.
For more information, visit the festival website at www.jamesburtonfest.com.
