HR 222

ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 222
BY REPRESENTATIVE WALTERS
  A RESOLUTION
To designate the city of Shreveport as the Southern Soul City and the official founder of
       Southern Soul.
       WHEREAS, Southern Soul is an eclectic derivative of soul music that emerged in
the Southern United States, blending elements of blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, and
occasionally country and rock n' roll; and
       WHEREAS, in the Southern Soul Capital of Shreveport, Louisiana, the sound and
culture of Southern Soul influences every aspect of life, from music played in entertainment
venues to the food served at restaurants; and
       WHEREAS, Shreveport's connection to what evolved into the Southern Soul genre
dates back to the 1930s, as the birthplace and home of blues legend Huddie "Lead Belly"
Ledbetter; and
       WHEREAS, Shreveport was a popular tour stop among African American
performers who performed in the city's night clubs in the earlier days, which served as
proving grounds for artists like James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Bobby Rush, and many
more; and
       WHEREAS, Carl Sims is widely regarded as the godfather of Southern Soul Music
due to his significant contributions to the genre; and
       WHEREAS, many of the most revered record labels in Southern Soul history were
located in Shreveport, including Jewel, Ronn, and Paula Records; and
       WHEREAS, Jewel Records played a vital role in the growth of soul music in
Shreveport by establishing a vibrant music scene that contributed in meaningful ways to the
local economy; and
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HR NO. 222  ENROLLED
       WHEREAS, Jewel Records was founded in 1963 in Shreveport, Louisiana, by Stan
and Paula Lewis; and
       WHEREAS, Jewel Records was one of the only recording studios for African
American soul and blues artists in the south in the 1960s and was a major distributor for soul
and blues music in Louisiana and Mississippi; and
       WHEREAS, Jewel Records recorded artists such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin'
Hopkins, and Little John Taylor; and
       WHEREAS, disc jockeys stopped playing traditional blues and soul music; and
       WHEREAS, at the time, Leonard J. Lewis, the son of Stan Lewis, observed that
every artist that was being played was from the south and stated, "it's like Southern Soul";
and
       WHEREAS, E. Rodney Jones affirmed Len Lewis' observation and stated that such
music was to be called "Southern Soul"; and
       WHEREAS, Garland Jones, a former employee of Jewel Records, created the first
Southern Soul music compilation; and
       WHEREAS, Leonard J. Lewis and Garland Jones developed and promoted the genre
and worked together to create air play for Southern Soul music; and
       WHEREAS, "Southern Soul" was registered within the trademark database of the
Louisiana Secretary of State by Leonard J. Lewis, in Shreveport, Louisiana, on June 28,
2001; and
       WHEREAS, this genre of music serves to bridge the gaps of age, race, socio-
economic status, and musical preference by bringing together individuals of varying
backgrounds to celebrate music that truly moves the soul; and
       WHEREAS, September is the month Shreveport will observe Southern Soul history
recognizing it as "Southern Soul September"; and
       WHEREAS, this honor is worthy of extending beyond a monthly or periodic
celebration to an official recognition of Shreveport, Louisiana, as the Southern Soul City
based on its contributions to originating the sound and continuing its growth and popularity.
       THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate the city of Shreveport as the Southern Soul
City and the official founder of Southern Soul.
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HR NO. 222  ENROLLED
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
mayor of Shreveport, the chair of the board of directors of the Shreveport-Bossier African
American Chamber of Commerce, the chairman of the board of directors of the Shreveport
Regional Airport, the president of the board of control of the Shreve Memorial Library, the
vice president of business development of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist
Bureau and the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, and the commissioner of the
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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