The Twin City Jamboree (TCJ) was a beloved country music venue in West Monroe from 1953-1970, where many local and national performers graced the stage. To honor its contributions to the area's music legacy, the City of West Monroe is hosting a Northeast Louisiana Music Trail marker dedication and tribute concert on Friday, November 17.
The TCJ was located where West Monroe City Hall and the West Monroe Convention Center stand today. The sign unveiling and dedication will take place at 5:00 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center parking lot, followed by a tribute performance at 6:00 p.m. at the West Ouachita Senior Center. The public is invited to attend both events.
Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell will proclaim November 17 as "Twin City Jamboree Day" and incorporate it into the city's 140-year birthday celebration. She recognizes the Jamboree's significant contribution to family entertainment and local music careers, stating, "It's our pleasure to work with everyone to have a music trail marker here on our city grounds for the Twin City Jamboree. We look forward to the performance and other opportunities to celebrate our city."
The TCJ provided a boost to the music scene for both performers and audiences in a family-friendly environment. Many local country music or bluegrass performers made their way onto the stage, including popular stars such as Ray Price, James Burton (Elvis's guitarist), Merle Kilgore, Martha Carson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Table Toppers. Wilford Ray, now living in Memphis and still touring, went on to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Floyd Cramer, James Pastel, Laymon Godwin, Carl Burton, and many other individuals also graced the TCJ stage.
Performing bands at the Jamboree included the Southern Melody Boys, the Country Cousins with Rich Bailey, The Ouachita River Blue Grass Boys, Jim Pardue and Union Blue Grass, William Camp and Friends, and many others.
Several TCJ veteran performers will be joined by local artists Larry Allen, Danny Dean, and Rita Spillers at the tribute concert at the West Ouachita Senior Center after the marker dedication. The marker and concert are being organized in conjunction with the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail project, which celebrates and recognizes the rich musical heritage in the northeast Louisiana region with landmark signage installed at different locations throughout the region.
The TCJ Marker is the fourteenth marker to be installed in 2023, with additional signs to be installed in the future. More information about the TCJ and music trail project can be found on the City of West Monroe Facebook page and the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail Group Facebook page.
The Twin City Jamboree may no longer exist physically, but its legacy lives on through this marker dedication and tribute concert. It is a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create lasting memories.