The Northeast Louisiana Music Trail will honor local music pioneer Gene Stewart by unveiling a historical marker in downtown Rayville at the Richland Parish Courthouse on Saturday, March 25 at 12 pm. A jam session will follow immediately at the gazebo next to the Rhymes Memorial Library until 3 p.m.
Gene Stewart was born in Carthage, Mississippi and is formally known for his first band Gene Stewart and the Country Rebels. At an early age he took up guitar, singing and writing. After high school he joined the army and played in bands in Fort Hood and in Germany.
Gene later worked with members of Elvis Presley's band and became close friends with James Burton. After serving in the army, he reformed his band as The Rockin Rebels and recorded infamous hits like Face of an Angel, Rub It In, and Its Not Much But It's Home.
NELA Music Trail Founder Doyle Jeter says, "Even as major influencer and founder of Rockabilly music, Gene is still a humble guy which is huge."
More information about the Gene Stewart and the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail can be found on the group's Facebook page.
