Gov. Jimmie Davis to be honored for his contributions on Northeast Louisiana Music Trail

A country western and gospel singer and former Louisiana Governor born in Jackson Parish will be honored in his hometown two decades following his death.

Gov. Jimmie Davis will be honored with a marker on the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail and a tribute concert at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Jimmie Davis Memorial Auditorium, 3189 Beech Springs Road, Quitman.

Davis was a nationally popular country and gospel singer during the 1930s and 1960s, occasionally recording and performing as late as the early 1990s. His early work was noted to be in the style of country singer Jimmie Rodgers, recording energy and raunchy blues songs, such as "Red Nightgown Blues" and "Tom Cat and Pussy Blues."

His 1940 hit single, "You Are My Sunshine," is one of Davis' biggest-selling records and has enjoyed continual success since. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Bob Achter and Bonnie Blue Eyes, Bing Crosby and Ray Charles.

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He was elected for two nonconsecutive terms from 1944 to 1948 and from 1960 to 1964 as Governor of Louisiana, running both of his campaigns as a controversial advocate for impoverished and rural white Louisianans. As governor, Davis was an opponent of efforts to desegregate the state.

While running for governor, Davis would often perform during his campaign stops. After being elected in 1944, he became known as the "singing governor." While governor, he had a No. 1 hit single in 1945 with "There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder."

In 1977, the Louisiana State Legislature decreed "You Are My Sunshine" the state song in honor of Davis.

In 1999, "You Are My Sunshine" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award, and the Recording Industry Association of America named it one of the Songs of the Century. It was ranked in 2003 as No. 73 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music.

He was inducted into six halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

At the time of his death in 2000 at age 101, Davis was the oldest living former governor as well as the last living governor to have been born in the 19th century.

Davis is the latest act to be inducted into the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail. The trail honors legendary talent with commemorative markers in their hometowns throughout northeastern Louisiana. Other artists honored on the trail include Country Music Hall of Famers Fred Carter, Jr. and Webb Pierce.

More:Winnsboro's Fred Carter Jr. to be first act honored on new Northeast Louisiana Music Trail

"What I can tell you is that this is a big one for us on the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail because there's a lot of the Louisiana state politicians and representatives are going to be there for the obvious reasons," Northeast Louisiana Music Trail founder Doyle Jeter. "This is going to be our fifth marker to be unveiled. We have two more before the end of the year and three more coming up right between January and March so we're looking by the end of 2023, we're looking at having 20 markers on the trail. The one for Governor Jimmie Davis is a pretty big deal for us. It's a feather in our cap... if you will."

The tribute concert following the sign dedication and unveiling will feature Hank Staples, Monty Russell and Chris Canterbury.

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Gov. Jimmie Davis to be recognized on Northeast La. landmark sign project