Ivory Joe Hunter was a prolific songwriter. He wrote as many as 8,000 songs. His hits spanned musical genres and many others recorded his works. He will be honored with a marker on the NELA Music Trail on Saturday, February 17. The day will feature a concert of his music by Robert Wright and a reception from 4-7 p.m. at the Northeast Louisiana African American Heritage Museum, 1051 Chennault Park Drive in Monroe.
In the 1940s, Hunter had his own radio show in Beaumont, Texas, before joining Johnny Moore's Three Blazers in Los Angeles. He eventually settled in Monroe, Louisiana. He founded Pacific Records and recorded R&B hits. Signing with MGM Records, he topped the R&B charts in 1950 with "I Almost Lost My Mind". His song "Since I Met You Baby" was a pop hit in 1956. Hunter became a popular R&B artist and ventured into country music in the 1960s. His song "Empty Arms" charted in pop, and he made a comeback as a country singer. Sonny James released a version of "Since I Met You Baby" that topped the country charts in 1969, leading to the album "The Return of Ivory Joe Hunter".
Doyle Jeeter, Northeast Louisiana Music Trail founder and Ivory Joe Hunter's niece Brenda Roy join Cory Crowe on KEDM's Lagniappe to talk about his career and the event.
