Matthew Davidson  News                                                                                                                                           Nov. 29, 2011

Hello (Contact First Name), 

We hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! This picture sums up the true meaning of the holiday:

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"Today I don't feel like doin' anything....I just want to lay in my bed"  - Bruno Mars

What's next on the schedule? "NXNWLA Music Foundation and The Louisiana Hayride present Bob Sullivan's Birthday Party!" (free and open to the public- with music, of course!) So, who is Bob Sullivan? (a fair question from a 13-year-old)

Bob Sullivan - sound engineer for The Louisiana Hayride

Here's the press release:

On December 3, 2011 the Louisiana Hayride & North by Northwest Louisiana Music Foundation and Museum will honor Mr. Bob Sullivan with a birthday celebration and induction into the NXNWLA Music Museum. The ceremonies will take place at the museum located at 516 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. Festivities will commence at 4pm and conclude at 6pm. The event will coincide with Mr. Sullivan's 85th birthday.

Mr. Sullivan began his career at KWKH in Shreveport as chief engineer in 1946 after his discharge from the Army, where he served in combat in the Pacific during WW ll. Mr. Sullivan was also chief engineer for the Louisiana Hayride from it's beginning in 1948 through 1958. 

Mr. Sullivan engineered Hank Williams' first performance on the Hayride in 1948 and Elvis Presley's first performance on the Hayride in 1954. He also engineered Dale Hawkins famous recording of " Susie-Q " at KWKH studio in 1956, and Bob Luman's famous recording of " Red Cadillac and Black Mustache. "

Through the years Bob Sullivan has engineered thousands of recordings with some of the most famous names in music including Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Slim Whitman, James Brown, Sony and Cher, and The Rolling Stones. Mr. Sullivan was considered to be one of the best three track recording engineers in the business for getting the pure sound of Rock n Roll the way it was recorded in the 50's.

Mr. Sullivan is retired from the music business and lives in McAlester, OK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dan Garner 
North by Northwest Louisiana Music Foundation
(318) 402-5432  

Here's an additional note from Maggie Warwick:

"Alton and I have been life long friends with Bob Sullivan for many years... I actually recorded sessions with him at KWKH with Dale Hawkins, Joe Osborn, Jerry Hawkins and many more. He was a life long friend of Tillman Franks who helped him get the job at KWKH. He's also friends with Stan Lewis. He's long time friends with Delbert McClinton who recorded with him at his studio in Ft. Worth after Bob left Shreveport when the Louisiana Hayride closed in the '60's. Delbert played harmonica on the classic rock and roll hit, "HEY BABY" that Bob cut in Ft. Worth with Bruce Channel. These long time friends are just an example of the many people who treasure Bob's friendship. He is a legend in the music business. We are so happy to be part of his 85th Birthday Celebration! Look forward to seeing you at his party this Saturday Dec. 3rd, 4-6 pm. There are sure to be many surprises!"