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by John M. Shaw (Author)
Avenue Breakdown uncovers the rich yet often overlooked legacy of Black music in Shreveport, Louisiana--a city better known for country tunes and the Louisiana Hayride. This compelling history shines a spotlight on the city's vibrant postwar scene, where blues, R&B, jazz, soul, funk, and gospel thrived in Black neighborhoods despite the pressures of segregation and state-sanctioned violence.
From the iconic downtown record store of Stan Lewis to clubs that pulsed with the sound of legends, Shreveport fostered a dynamic music culture that drew producers and performers from across the region. Yet, systemic racism and economic decline eroded this cultural lifeblood, culminating in moments of unrest like the Cedar Grove Riot of 1988.
Spanning decades of music, struggle, and community resilience, Avenue Breakdown captures the power of sound to challenge, uplift, and endure. It's a vital record of a city's past and an invitation to consider what comes next for the music of the Ark-La-Tex.
Author Biography
John M. Shaw is an ethnomusicologist with an emphasis in musics of the African diaspora. He received his PhD from the University of Memphis in 2024. He is author of Following the Drums: African American Fife and Drum Music in Tennessee, published by University Press of Mississippi.
