Shepherd Backs Big Easy Music Museum

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) â€” Blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has voiced his support for a $350 million plan for a music museum and other downtown renovations in his hometown. <br><br>The Foundation for

Thursday, January 25th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) â€” Blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has voiced his support for a $350 million plan for a music museum and other downtown renovations in his hometown.

The Foundation for Arts, Music and Entertainment Inc. is pushing for an overhaul of the Texas Street corridor around Municipal Auditorium, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr. performed on the Louisiana Hayride radio show. The long-term plan includes a music museum, recording studio and retail shops.

Shreveport recently took a small step toward bringing attention to the neighborhood when it changed the name of Grand Avenue to Elvis Presley Avenue.

``There is a lot of really great stuff going to waste,'' the 23-year-old musician told the City Council recently. ``A lot of kids don't get educated on the musical history of this city. A lot of great music has come out of this city.''