The Hall of Fame

Born: Sanford Clark born in 1935 in Tulsa, Ok.
Biggest Hit(s): Was in the Air Force during the 50's. When he was discharged he got together with Guitarist Al Casey and Lee Hazlewood who had written a song entitled " The Fool ". The Fool first came out on MCI later Randy Woods record Co " Dot " picked up the song and released it nationwide it became a big hit for Sanford in 1956. He had fair success with his next Dot release ( Nine Pound Hammer ), Sanford's clean style and delivery of any song he chose to sing got air play however not like " The Fool " had. After touring and one night shows for several years Sanford grew tired of the entertainment business and returned to the construction and trucking business in which he became very successful. Sanford moved from Hollywood to Epps. La where he bought a farm and continued his trucking business.
Current Status: Today Sanford does an occasional oldies show. He is retired and spends his time between his farm in Epps. La and another home in Mayer, AR with his wife Marsha.
Inducted: Sanford was inducted into The SLHOF in Sept of 2005 by Widmarc Clark.

Born: Gene Summers was born in Dallas, Texas
Biggest Hit(s): Gene begin his music career while still in high school. Gene and his band the Rebels came to the attention of song writer Jed Carver who brought them to Jan records in Dallas a newly formed label by oil millionaire Thomas Fleeger who signed Gene as his first artist. His first release "School Of Rock and Roll" became a nation wide hit in 1958 then the flip side " Straight Skirt " became a hit also. Gene had other hits on Jan with " Nervous ", Got A Lotta That ", Alabama Shake ", and Twixteen. A few years later Gene had a huge hit in country music with " Big Blue Diamond ". Gene left the entertainment business in the 60's and went into Real Estate in Dallas where he is very successful. Today Gene enjoys the good life in Dallas his wife Dee and his son's which have joined him in the Real Estate business.
Current Status: Gene still performs worldwide at oldies shows and will celebrate 50 years as a recording artist in 2008.
Inducted: Gene was inducted in Sept 2005 in Hollywood,Ca by The Southern Legends Entertainment and Performing Artist Hall of Fame West Eoast Executive of Operations John Rhys.

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born: James Burton was born in Minden, La.
Biggest Hit(s): His family moved to Shreveport where James became friends with Dale Hawkins who at the age of 15 was playing gigs in Bossier City. Dale and his band would ride to the gig on their bicycle's enter through the back of the club and put on a great show. The Airman at Barksdale AFB loved the way Dales band played blues and their own style of get down and get dirty rock n roll. James joined up with Hawkins and begin to add his guitar style of blues rock and roll that had not been heard before. Dale had been adding touch's to a song he had written called Susie-Q, James begin to add a lead in riff to the song that gave it the sound that Hawkins had been looking for.

They went over KWKH in Shreveport and recording engineer Bob Sullivan recorded the session in 1956. The song was released in 1957 on Checker records out of Chicago and became a smash hit for Dale Hawkins. Burton's solo on Susie-Q, Hawkins doing the vocal and Bob Sullivan getting the session down perfectly on tape was the recording that would become one of Rock n Rolls most famous songs and go on to be one of 500 songs that helped shape Rock 'n Roll with James Burton's famous lead in riff most likely the most famous lead in riff in all of
Rock 'n Roll.

After Susie-Q, Burton joined the Louisiana Hayride as a staff musician where he met Bob Luman. Luman along with James Burton, James Kirkland, and Butch White they formed The Shadows with Bob Luman doing the vocals. The band moved to Hollywood where they recorded the some of the best Rock n Roll ever recorded on Imperial records with Bob Luman singing.

Rick Nelson heard the band doing a jam secession at Imperial records and signed them away from Bob Luman to be his band. James played guitar on all Rick Nelsons best Rocking songs; in addition, he played lead on Bobby Lee Trammel's " Shirley Lee " . James stayed with Rick Nelson several years playing on "Hello Mary Lou,""Traveling Man," and developing the Rick Nelson style. Rick Nelson never had the good sounding recordings again once James Burton left to work for other artists.

James went on to work for Elvis till his passing in 1977.
Current Status: James lives in Shreveport and still performs worldwide and is very much in demand as a session guitarist.
Inducted: James was inducted into The SHLOF in 2005 by Widmarc Clark.

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted:

Born:
Biggest Hit(s):
Current Status:
Inducted: