Shreveport music history program goes national

Special to 318 Forum

The Louisiana Haywire podcast, a show that explores the musical heritage of Northwest Louisiana, has been selected for distribution by Public Radio Exchange (PRX). This nonprofit organization serves as a central hub for distributing and promoting public radio programming across the nation.

The show is produced and distributed in cooperation with Red River Radio, KDAQ 89.9 FM. Created and produced by Dan Garner, Winston Hall and Bonne Summers, Louisiana Haywire delves into the rich musical heritage of Northwest Louisiana, bringing it to life through engaging interviews and recordings.

The series is featured locally on Red River Radio, with each episode followed by a video version available on the Louisiana Haywire YouTube and Facebook pages. The name Louisiana Haywire is a playful nod to the legendary Shreveport radio program, the Louisiana Hayride, which helped launch the careers of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and many other notable artists.

With 2025 designated as “The Year of Music” by the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Louisiana Haywire contributes to larger statewide efforts that spotlight local talent and music history. The premiere episode on PRX features special guest Estelle Brown of Shreveport, a member of The Sweet Inspirations, who sang backup for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas from 1969 until his death.

Louisiana Haywire episodes are available on various podcast platforms, including YouTube as well as www.redriverradio.org. The filming and recording of Louisiana Haywire is made possible by Red River Radio, Shreveport Common, Visit Shreveport-Bossier, Rhino Coffee and in partnership with Fairfield Studios.