By Jennifer “Milky” Johnson
Founding Board Member, Louisiana Music Partners
Although the calendar now says July, the month of June annually marks a significant national
recognition for music accolades as Black Music Month. Which can be acknowledged and
celebrated year-round.
One may first reflect on the indelible contributions of Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind and Fire, or
Gladys Knight.
But let’s narrow the focus and take in the tempo on the origins of impactful music birthed right
here in Louisiana. As a state, our music culture is unmatched with an endless list of
world-renowned voices. The Batiste family, the Neville family, Mahalia Jackson, Louis
Armstrong, Ledisi, Luke James, P.J. Morton. All of whom mentioned hailing from New Orleans.
Then narrow it even more within the magnolia state. Specifically the tempo of Shreveport and
Northwest Louisiana.
Shreveport also holds a rhythm like no other place in the state.
Did you know that Shreveport has birthed some incredible world-class music professionals for
quite some time? And not just musicians like world-renowned drummers and brothers Brian
Blade (Grammy® winner) and Brady Blade. Guitar legend, “Ledbelly” Leadbetter. Gospel like
Forever Jones, Country like Willie Jones. 90s R&B group Profyle. R&B newcomer Mariah
Hester. The Seratones. ...the list is joyfully long.
When I think of northwest Louisiana music I actually first think of the “unsung” who performed
and shared their talents without truly becoming national and internationally known, but who
were/are local and regional mainstays like Windstorm. And those who, just for the love of
melody spreading the Gospel - Eddie Giles, The Murff Brothers, – and even in my own family - my cousins, and my dad, Alvin Carter, who could sing and really make a harmonica talk.
Today, perhaps the most recognized music artist connected to Shreveport today, is really being recognized not so much for his music success, but for his television and film accomplishments he is bringing to Shreveport, rapper and entertainment entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
50 Cent may be the shot in the arm for Shreveport’s TV and film industry, but it’s also the guy
behind the scenes with 50 who is keeping the Shreveport music scene on the forefront. Orville
Hall, (who is credited for connecting 50 Cent to Shreveport) is one-half of the late 80’s/early 90’s rap duo the Showboys. Hall, along with Phillip Price - two New Yorkers who now callShreveport home - have produced possibly the most sampled sound in the world today. They both recently received another ASCAP for the use of their song "Drag Rap" in another hit, Cardi B's "Outside".
Noting all of these incredible Shreveport music connections brings me to this point: Shreveport
needs, and deserves, a dedicated office focused solely on scaling its already powerful music
industry.
Composers, performers, that guy who runs the sound at local concerts, the aspiring podcaster
putting female-led businesses on a platform - all of whom could benefit from the support of a
dedicated local government presence giving them the needed resources for thriving in the music industry. Guidance is needed for the business side of things, ranging from knowing how to navigate any available local and state tax music credits for studio recording to earning fair pay for a gig.
Also noteworthy are those using the metronome, setting pace for the local industry like Tomi
Granville, who is a highly sought-after, award-winning music composer and sound engineer for films and for CBS shows like “Landman”. Proving that a music and recording economy can bescaled here with the necessary and needed solid support.
We are definitely not short on homegrown talent in this region of the state. Jackson, Hall and
Price have also already proven - they will come. Let’s build a dedicated office to support music
professionals. This support would likely, hopefully, encourage homegrown talent to stay in
Shreveport to build a strong music economy.
Jennifer “Milky” Johnson is the founder of a forthcoming streaming network and is the
co-founder, The Louisiana Center for Film, Music and Television. She is also a former
assistant professor of New Media at Northwest State University.
