Another local musician was recognized with a marker on the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail on Friday, May 6. The marker honors Gene King's considerable music career.
King's marker is the second to be unveiled on the trail. The marker was placed at the Wisner gazebo. The first marker was dedicated to Fred Carter, Jr., and can be found at the Winnsboro gazebo.
Gene King began his music career playing in his hometown, Turkey Creek, before progressing to national and worldwide shows.
Throughout his musical career, King played for artists such as Michael Landon, Clay Hart, and Sandy and Salli. Later in his career, he accompanied George "Goober" Lindsey and The Hagar Brothers who were stars of Hee Haw.
King began working on the set of Louisiana Hayride, a country music show that aired on television in Shreveport, Louisiana. The show also featured other artists such as Carter, Jamie Kaye, The Peacemakers, and T. Tommy Cutrer.
In the early 1970s, King was hired by Jody Miller, a Grammy award winner, after playing shows with her and Roy Clark in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. He became her bandleader and lead guitarist until the late 1980s.
Nearing the end of his musical career, King played local events that included the Delta Opry and Franklin Opry.
The music trail is sponsored in part by KEDM Public Radio, Enoch’s Irish Pub and Café, and Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. There are future plans for more signs to be unveiled alongside Carter's and King's.