At age 13, Shreveport living legend James Burton received his first guitar from his parents in hopes of becoming famous.

The next year, James said he went professional. 

“I’m not sure if [my parents] expected [me to become a professional,] but I think they were like I was, you know, hoping something good would come out of it,” James said.

As a way to give back to his community, the James Burton Foundation was established to support music education. A big part of the mission to provide free acoustic guitars to local students who are interested in music but do not have the means to pay for a guitar. 

To date thousands of guitars have been given away but a huge part of the funds that support the guitars for the children will come from the James Burton International Guitar Festival.

This year, the foundation promises an all-star lineup beginning with James’s 75th birthday Aug. 21. 

The festival continues Aug. 22 with all-star performances in the Red River District and the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium. James said he will most likely be onstage at the concert though he is unsure of which artists he will play with. 

The festival will end with special presentations of the guitars to a select group of local students. Board members of the foundation select the students who will receive the guitars.

Louise Burton, who works at the foundation and is James’s wife, said the money from the festival goes directly to supporting the children.

“[Audience members] aren’t buying a ticket to the show or a sponsorship. They are donating money for us to buy guitars for the kids,” Louise said.

James added, “There is no show that you can go see with this much talent.”

Part of the talent includes: Trace Atkins, Paul Shaffer, Ann Wilson, Mike Wolfe and Priscilla Presley.

“This is the first year with Priscilla. She knows about my show, and I spoke to her and she said she would really like to be a part of it and that was really a great feeling,” James said. “Of course I invited her, and I invited Lisa Marie, but she lives in London and won’t be able to make it.”

James played with Elvis Presley in the ’60s and ’70s, along with a slew of other legendary musicians.

“I actually played with Jimmy Hendrix in the early ’60s, but I recorded with a lot of the greats.”

James said he is self-taught. 

“I learned how to play by listening to records and other artists,” James said. “But I realized that as soon as a started playing the guitar, I wanted to play like Chet Atkins Les Paul, Merle Travis. But I realized that I am not going to accomplish anything trying to play like them. There is only one Chet Atkins, one Les Paul and one Merle Travis. 

“For me to be myself, I learned that I have to do my own thing and I created my own style and my own identity at a young age,” James said.

He said with every guitar he hands out comes a great opportunity for the students.

“The best thing to tell a child that wants to learn how to play the guitar is that you need to be disciplined, appreciate the instrument, respect it and take care of it,” James said. “Even though you have a teacher, it is very important to practice.”

James said he tries to keep in touch with each of the students who receive guitars. He said students and teachers email him often.

“When I’m available I like to invite a group [to the James Burton Foundation] to sit with and see how they are progressing,” James said. “I think what we do in life is a blessing from God, and I don’t think we could ever repay the great things that he has done for us. I think it is a great effort to try to give back.”

James said he likes the idea of giving back to his community in this manner.

“I think it works both ways. You work with the community and they work with you,” James said. “I’m happy being back in Shreveport, and I have a lot of wonderful friends here. We always have improvements [to make] but the main thing is that we help the kids because you know they are going to take over our legacy when we are gone.”

James said he enjoys being a part of giving out the guitars.

“Being able to see the smile and excitement and seeing how much they respect and appreciate that is good feeling. It’s a great joy for such a small thing – just to see a child excited,” he said.

With support from membership and donations, the James Burton Foundation also has plans to open the James Burton Museum, Cars, Guitars and Memorabilia in the building next door, located at 1127 Milam St. James and Louise both hope to see this project completed by next year.

Inside the museum, James said he will showcase his guitars, cars and other memorabilia. He was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 2001 and is one of few living legends in North Louisiana.

“You know what I like about being a living legend?” James said. “The living part.”

Want to go?
Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000 for the James Burton International Guitar Festival. Also VIP (meet and greet with the artists) tickets are available by calling 424-5000.

Events Scheduled
Aug. 22: Cheers to 75 Years!  5 p.m. to midnight, Red River District
5 p.m. Magnolia School of Excellence Presentation
5:15 p.m. Robin & the Mystics
5:45 p.m. Landry & Company with Austin Norris
6:25 p.m. Matthew Davidson Band
6:45 p.m. Flash Back 5
7:15 p.m. The Drag Strip Phantoms
7:30 p.m. Jason Ashley
8 p.m. James with Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs
8:30 p.m. James with the Cadillac Band
9 p.m. Ambush
9:30 p.m. What the Funk
10 p.m. Anxious
10:30 p.m. The Pack
11 p.m. Red River Jam Hosted by David Deaton

Aug. 23: Rockin’ Guitars and Cars 11 am to 5 pm, Red River District
11 a.m. Wesley Morris & No Refund
11:30 a.m. Kelly Hobson
Noon Pocket Change
12:30 p.m. AJ & the 2 Tone Blues Band
1p.m. Tildon Gillum Band
1:30 p.m. Chicken On the Bond
2:30 p.m. Cody Cook & the Bayou Outlaws
3:30 p.m. Rock & Roll Car Show & Guitar Showdown Talent Competition
5 p.m. Car Show Convoy to the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
5 to 6:30 p.m. Music by Main Street on Elvis Presley Avenue
6 p.m. to 7:15 pm VIP Reception at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
7:30 p.m. James Burton & Friends Concert

Aug 24: James Burton Foundation and The Simple Church Present Guitars for Good, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
6 to 8 p.m. – Lincoln Brewster in Concert; Special Presentations – Wounded Veterans and Families