The John Gale Horton Foundation

08/29/2026

Dolly Parton was a transcendent force in American music. From her fabled childhood in Tennessee to the largest stages of Nashville and brightest lights of Hollywood, her career reached heights most performers never know.

And Dolly was no stranger to Shreveport, notably appearing here for performances on the "package show" era of the Louisiana Hayride radio program alongside Porter Wagoner, Charlie Pride, and others in the late '60s.

The legacy Dolly leaves behind is immeasurable: a treasure trove of seemingly countless recordings, her famous country wit, her philanthropic efforts, and her educational initiatives. But most importantly, Dolly will be remembered for the infectious kindness, joy, and love she exuded on a daily basis to her countless fans around the world.

Dolly...we will always love YOU. ❤

[Photo
Courtesy of Global Media Archives]

07/02/2026

A day late and a dollar short, but still sent with a full heart.

To all our Canadian friends, Bonne fête du Canada! Happy Canada Day!

Johnny Horton’s music crossed plenty of borders in its time, and we’re grateful that the songs, stories, and friendships we cherish still travel farther than any map line.

From Shreveport to our neighbors up north, we hope your Canada Day was filled with family, good music, and a little well-earned pride of place.

With gratitude from all of us at the John Gale Horton Foundation.

05/12/2026

The John Gale Horton Foundation deeply mourns the passing of Buddy Flett, a monumental figure in Northwest Louisiana’s musical story. For more than half a century, Buddy Flett stood as an essential cornerstone of the Shreveport music community, channeling the raw spirit of the region through his unforgettable voice, poignant songwriting, and iconic slide guitar mastery.

Buddy's storied career captured national attention through foundational acts like The A-Train and The Bluebirds, groups he energized alongside his brother Bruce Flett and longtime collaborator David Egan. His signature "swamp blues" style produced hits like "Pass It On By" and Percy Sledge’s Grammy-nominated "Now You Cry." Later in life, Flett’s collaborations with modern guitar icons like Kenny Wayne Shepherd demonstrated a rare cross-generational musical versatility.

Beyond the technical accolades and a well-deserved Grammy nomination, Buddy Flett was defined by his humility and kindness. He was an indispensable fixture in the Shreveport music scene, performing for twenty years at the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival and for many years at Twisted Root Burger Company. He also performed often at the annual "Lead Belly Graveside Jam" held every October. His recent "Lunch with Buddy Flett" performances at The Glass Hat became anticipated weekly gatherings for music lovers. Just one month ago, the City of Shreveport officially declared April 13th as "Buddy Flett Day".

Buddy lived a life where the music was never meant to be polished or perfect, but rather deeply human, honest, and profoundly shared. As The John Gale Horton Foundation continues our work to empower new generations of artists through scholarships and educational programming, Buddy's life will serve as our guiding blueprint for how a musician becomes masterful: by lifting up others, honoring local history, and leaving the world a far more beautiful place because of their talents. Godspeed, Buddy, and thank you for all the music.💙

📸 Credit: Jason Coffield

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Today we celebrate an extraordinary young woman and an even brighter future ahead. Congratulations to Adelaide Kent on her acceptance to Wake Forest University, where she will pursue Psychology with a focus on Trauma Therapy.

Adelaide’s compassion, intelligence, and grace have already made a lasting impact on those around her, and we have no doubt she will continue changing lives wherever she goes. Her words about unity, love, and compassion reflect the very best of De La Salle and the kind of leadership our world needs more of.

We are incredibly proud of you, Adelaide. May this next chapter at Wake Forest be filled with purpose, growth, and every success imaginable. Your future is shining bright, and we cannot wait to see all the good you will do.

Congratulations from all of us at the John Gale Horton Foundation, keep honoring the light within you.

05/04/2026

05/01/2026

We want to take a moment to thank the incredible partners who helped make this past event possible.

We are proud to have worked with local businesses like OddBall Branding for our banner and Boyett Printing for our paper goods. Your work helped bring our vision to life in a real, tangible way.

We also want to thank Custom Ink for the t-shirts and Sticker Mule for the stickers and coasters. Both teams delivered quality work with a quick turnaround that helped us stay on track and ready for the day.

A special thank you to BeauJax, The Frozen Pirogue, Seventh Tap, and the entire East Bank District for your support, hospitality, and belief in what we are building here in our community.

This is what it looks like when people come together to support something bigger than themselves. We are grateful for each and every one of you.

04/30/2026

A true outlaw in every sense of the word, Coe never asked for permission and never softened who he was. He carried the raw, unfiltered spirit of country music in a way few ever have. His songs told stories that were rough around the edges, deeply human, and undeniably honest.

From the prison yard to the stage, his life was as much a part of his music as the words themselves. Whether you agreed with him or not, you felt him. And that’s what real country music has always been about.

Artists like Coe remind us that this music was never meant to be polished or perfect. It was meant to be lived.

Rest easy, David. Your voice, your stories, and your impact on American music won’t be forgotten.