Shreveport’s Next Chapter: Louisiana Grandstand Launches Artist Ambassador Program with Kix Brooks and Jordan Davis
- All Country News
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Shreveport has long been a city where country music history and future collide. From the Louisiana Hayride, the fabled radio program that gave Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash their first real shot, to the modern-day Louisiana Grandstand, the city’s musical heartbeat has never wavered. Now, the Grandstand is cementing its place in that legacy with the launch of its 2025 Artist Ambassador Program, an initiative designed to nurture homegrown talent while connecting them to the industry’s most influential voices.
And who better to lead the charge than two of Shreveport’s own? Country music powerhouse Kix Brooks, one half of the iconic duo Brooks & Dunn, and current chart-topping hitmaker Jordan Davis have been tapped as the program’s inaugural mentors, bringing star power and hometown pride to a venture that promises to redefine artist development in the region.
Carrying the Spirit of the Hayride Forward
Since its debut in 2021, the Louisiana Grandstand has quickly become one of the country’s premier listening rooms, drawing artists like Sara Evans, Marty Stuart, Marcus King, and Zach Top to its stage. With its acoustics-first design and focus on live musicianship, the venue has cultivated a reputation as a sanctuary for storytelling and songcraft.
But what truly sets the Grandstand apart is its unwavering commitment to Shreveport’s own musicians. In a move that bucks industry norms, every major act booked at the venue must share the bill with a local opener. Beyond the stage, the Grandstand also invests in local artists by offering recording time and production support in its in-house studio, proving it’s not just preserving music history but actively shaping it.
“The Louisiana Grandstand was built on the belief that great music begins at the grassroots, where the stories are real, the voices are raw, and the connections run deep,” says co-owner Stephen Gillum. “The legacy of the Louisiana Hayride left a lasting impact on generations of my family before me."
Building Bridges Between Generations
Launching in August 2025, the Artist Ambassador Program will pair each established mentor with an emerging local artist for one calendar year. Mentees will be selected through a rigorous application process overseen by an advisory board of industry experts. From songwriting sessions to career guidance, the program is designed to provide mentorship that is as personal as it is practical.
Gillum sees the effort as both a tribute to Shreveport’s past and an investment in its future. “This program is about building a bridge between those who’ve made their mark and those just beginning their journey,” he says. “If we stand behind this movement as a community, one that celebrates our successes and lifts up those working hard to build careers, we can create something truly lasting.”
Hometown Legends Leading the Way
For both Brooks and Davis, signing on as mentors is as much about giving back as it is about honoring their roots. “I, more than most, understand the importance that local venues like The Louisiana Grandstand have in supporting homegrown talent,” says Brooks. “As a Bossier/Shreveport native, I’m honored to join fellow native Jordan Davis in the first year of the Artist Ambassador Program.”
Davis echoes that sentiment: “I’m honored to be part of the Louisiana Grandstand Ambassador Program’s inaugural year, and proud to play a part in ushering in the next generation of musical talent from my home state.”
A Homecoming and a Launchpad
By bringing together industry veterans and aspiring artists under one roof, the Louisiana Grandstand is ensuring that Shreveport’s musical story continues to evolve, just as it did when the Hayride first shook the airwaves. With Brooks and Davis leading the program’s inaugural year, the Ambassador initiative isn’t just a homecoming. It’s a launchpad.
The Louisiana Grandstand has always been about more than concerts, it’s about community, connection, and carrying a torch that’s been burning for generations. With the Artist Ambassador Program, that torch just got a whole lot brighter.
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