The Northeast Louisiana Music Trail and the Jackson Parish Tourism Board will unveil the
fifth marker on the NLMT to honor Governor Jimmie Davis for his contributions to music in our
region and nation and globally. The unveiling, which will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, 22nd, will be followed by a free concert on the grounds of the Jimmie Davis Memorial Auditorium (formerly known as the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle.)
Jimmie Davis, born near Beech Springs outside Jonesboro, taught in Shreveport in his
early years and earned a job on the side on a weekly program on KWKH radio. A Decca Records
talent scout heard him and Davis eventually recorded “Nobody’s Darling but Mine,” a song he
wrote. The song became a hit and launched a recording career that would cross decades.
Best known for “You are My Sunshine,” one of the most recognized songs in the world,
Davis recorded hillbilly, blues, country, and gospel music and sold millions of albums. A member
of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music
Hall of Fame, Davis’s “You are My Sunshine” was named a Song of the Century by the Recording
Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Jimmie Davis starred or appeared in numerous movies, including “Louisiana” the story of
his life and ascent to the office of Governor of Louisiana. Twice governor of Louisiana, Davis was
in the first group of inductees into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Doyle Jeter, founder of the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail, remarks “The Northeast
Louisiana Music Trail project is extremely proud to have a marker for Gov. Jimmie Davis on our
Trail. The international recognition our project will receive, if only due to the worldwide love for
Gov. Davis tune “You Are My Sunshine” is surely a feather in our cap. His marker legitimizes
what we are striving for, to celebrate the musicians and people who make up our beautiful and
special region of America. What an honor for all of us involved!”
The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by “Homecoming Revisited,” a free
concert featuring Hank Staples, Monty Russell, and Chris Canterbury. Food trucks will be
available and the Jackson Parish Museum will have an exhibit of Jimmie Davis memorabilia.
Interested persons are invited to bring folding chairs and come enjoy great music and an
homage to a musical great. More information on the Visit Jackson Parish Facebook page or at
www.VisitJacksonParish.com.
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