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February 2010
Thanks to Leon Beck, editor and publisher of Texas Hot Country magazine, for the tribute to Claude in honor of his 87th birthday, in the February edition. Read it HERE.
 Claude's latest CD is "The Cajun Cowboy Rides Again", produced by Mark Chamness and featuring Shreveport's own legendary guitarist James Burton. See Music page for track listing.
 The CD is now available for download from iTunes and through Amazon.com.
September 2009
The September 7 issue of Country Weekly (with Trace Adkins on the cover) on newsstands now, has a one-page article and photos of Claude in it, entitled "Good to be King".
May 2008
Claude has been in Nashville taping "Bill Anderson Visits With The Legends" for XM Satellite Radio. While there, he made a surprise guest appearance on Bill's segment of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, May 16. He sang "Wolverton Mountain", and received a standing ovation!
Here is XM Radio's description of the episode of "Bill Anderson Visits with the Legends":
"Country legend and Hall of Famer Bill Anderson looks back at the definitive moments in country music history with the people who made it happen. This week an all new episode: Claude King: He's played baseball, acted in movies and television mini series, and worked on such historic stages as the Louisiana Hayride. He had his first hit record almost 50 years ago with the classic Big River, Big Man, and is of course probably most well known for classic recordings such as Wolverton Mountain and Tiger Woman. What you may not know is that he is still at it today including a new version of the just mentioned Wolverton Mountain song from a new album entitled The Cajun Cowboy Rides Again. My fellow lovers of country music, this is a true history lesson that will once again change the way you listen to the music."
"Louisiana Hayride Tribute to Claude King"
PRESS RELEASE
Date of Release: January 22, 2008
Celebration of Legendary Career, 85th Birthday & New Recording! February 24, 2008-Shreveport Municipal Auditorium! The "Louisiana Hayride" has scheduled a great day of celebration to honor Shreveport's world famous country music entertainer, Claude King.
Among the many awards he has received, he is recognized by the Country Music Association (CMA), and Broadcast Music, Inc., (BMI) as one of the greatest songwriters and artist in country music. Claude's award winning hits are now considered classics, including his number one million selling record, "WOLVERTON MOUNTAIN", co-written with another Shreveport legend, Merle Kilgore.
The event will be held at the "Louisiana Hayride-Sunday Afternoon Matinee", February 24, 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
LOUISIANA HAYRIDE PIONEER Claude began his career on the "Louisiana Hayride" from its very beginning in 1948 along side his lifelong friend Tillman Franks. This led to both men becoming country music legends. Tillman's and Claude's beautiful brides, Virginia and Barbara, are cousins and they were married in a double wedding ceremony, sharing the same anniversary.
Both families chose to remain in Shreveport and raise their children here instead of the trend of many local musicians who moved on to Nashville following the closure of the regular Saturday night performances of the "Louisiana Hayride" shows in 1960.
Tillman, who just recently passed away, managed many major country music artists, including Webb Pierce, Johnny Horton and David Houston. He became Claude's manager following the tragic accidental death of Johnny Horton in 1960.
Claude's great songwriting talent and remarkable voice was immediately recognized in the music industry as unique and genuine. Tillman signed him to a Columbia Records contract, resulting in a string of hit recordings and BMI Award winning songs.
His ardent fans will be thrilled to know that Claude is currently recording some new songs, which he will be debuting on the "Louisiana Hayride" show February 24.
REVIEW
In February 2007, A Star was placed on "Shreveport's Walk of Stars" to honor Claude King as one of its Hometown Heroes. He was recognized as "a man who got his start here on the stage of the "Louisiana Hayride", rose to stardom, became a giant in the music industry, but always remained a hometown 'Good Ole Boy'."
In conjunction with this honor, Bud and Carol Christian produced a special event for over a thousand fans who gathered at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, to honor him as he took to the stage with his band members.
Many musicians returned from all over the United States to appear on stage with him one more time. As he celebrated his 84th birthday, along with his wedding anniversary, Shreveport proclaimed, "Claude King Day". He charmed the crowd as he belted out one hit after another. His voice still strong, he stood at the microphone like the majestic figure that he is. As the crowd cheered, this mountain of a man closed his show with his biggest hit - "Wolverton Mountain."
This year on February 24th, "The Louisiana Hayride" will pay tribute to Claude King, celebrating his 85th birthday with a reunion of musicians and fans and a new recording that he will debut on the show.
Current owners of the "Louisiana Hayride", Maggie and Alton Warwick have recently collaborated with Bud & Carol Christian in the production of a series of "Louisiana Hayride" shows, including the tribute to Claude King, to be highlighted throughout the "60th Anniversary Year of the Louisiana Hayride", which begins April 2008 to April 2009.
Join us every week at the "Louisiana Hayride-Sunday Afternoon Matinee" - 2:00 to 4:00 PM as we honor "Louisiana Hayride" pioneers and showcase new talent on the legendary, "Louisiana Hayride", also known as the "Cradle Of The Stars".
January 2008
Over the past few weeks, Claude has been working on recording a new CD at Red River Studios in Bossier City. We will have more information as it becomes available.
February 2007
New CD Released!
In conjunction with Claude's show and Walk of Stars induction, we are happy to announce the availability of "Claude King Live!", a new CD featuring Claude on stage with the Cotton Dan Band, recorded live in 1983 at Jamboree USA in Wheeling, WV. The CD was digitally restored and remixed by David Daniels, lead guitarist and vocalist in Claude's band for 10 years, from a tape of the original WWVA radio broadcast. You can read more about the CD, and purchase it HERE!
January 23, 2007
Claude To Be Inducted Into Shreveport's "Walk of Stars"
Claude King will be honored with his own star in the Chamber of Commerce "Walk of Stars" in downtown Shreveport. The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium, the former home of the Louisiana Hayride.
Claude will perform at the event, and several of his former band members are reuniting for the show. This will be a momentous occasion! It is wonderful to finally see Claude get some well deserved recognition.
 
The Walk of Stars award was created to recognize individuals from northwest Louisiana who are distinguished in their professional and/or civic endeavors or who have brought recognition and attention to the area, and who have been involved in those activities for at least five years. The honorees may come from any profession or industry including, but not limited to, athletics, music, acting, business, politics, education and community service.
For information about the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium and the Stage of Stars Museum, click HERE.
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