(For you guitar guys) Happy Birthday To...

...James!

70 years ago today, one James Burton was born in Minden, LA. Minden is a small town just down the road from Shreveport, where Burton's family settled in the late 1940's.

James Burton is one of the most recognized names in rock, country, and rockabilly music. 40 years ago, Elvis Presley contacted James...asked him to put together a band...and get ready to hit the road. And James did.

He has backed up Ricky Nelson, Merle Haggard, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, and too many others to mention. Read his bio...he's had an interesting life and career.

And James is celebrating in fine style! Tonight kicks off the 2009 "James Burton International Guitar Festival" right across the Red River from me here in Shreveport. Hit that link, and look at the line-up for this weekend. If you're a guitar guy (or gal), you will drool...

As a side note, to celebrate his 70th birthday, James is hoping to break the World Record for most guitarists playing at one time. He hopes to lead at least 2,000 guitarists on Saturday afternoon at the Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport in a tribute to Elvis.

By the way, all the proceeds from his annual Guitar Festival here in Shreveport go to purchase guitars for young kids with an interest, but no means to pursue the art.

It's interesting to me that as many folks as I've come across here in the area...some very famous...I've never crossed paths with James Burton. But I'd like to. From all accounts, his world-wide fame has not changed his down-home humility.

Happy birthday James!