Thank you … to you all.

I want to send a special “thank you” to Jay Covington, Hugh Johnson, Lydia Earhart and all the wonderful and thoughtful staff at The Forum. It was such a pleasure to work with you.

Thank you also for the front cover on the Aug. 20 issue with the great photo from Brittany White.

This played a big part in selling out our concert.

The James Burton International Guitar Festival was a complete success due to all the support of my family, wife Louise, son Jeff and daughter Melanie, grandchildren Skylar, Taylor and Wesley.

Chairperson of the James Burton Foundation and The James Burton International Guitar Festival – Janie Landry, co-chairperson of the James Burton International Guitar Festival –Meredith Mclellan and all the committee members and volunteers worked and gave it their “all” to make the festival the amazing event that it was.

From downtown music stages, to the children’s guitar talent contest, to the rock ‘n’roll classic car show, to the VIP artist meet-and-greet and the main event concert at the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium with me and my friends, a great time was had by all who attended.

Of course, all of our special artists, Vince Gill, Priscilla Presley, Trace Adkins, Paul Shaffer, Mike Wolfe, Doyle Dykes, Lee Rocker, Richie Furay, Jimmie Vaughan, Rick Vito, Billy Burnette, Rob Haynes, Noel Haggard, Gunnar Nelson, The Vosburys, Lincoln Brewster, Byron Berline, Jim Horn, Paul Franklin, and also our fantastic local backing band and singers performed for free to make it possible for us to help give kids, locally and all over the world, a chance in life to feel self-esteem through music with the gift of a guitar.

Your ticket purchases to the VIP artist meet and greet and the concert Aug. 23 made this financially possible.

I’d also like to commend the bands and artists that played the riverfront stages.

We’re so grateful for your talents and willingness to be a part in making this such a special event.

You all did such a great job. The James Burton Foundation is dedicated to one goal, to provide guitars and music instruction to kids, inspiring a new generation for the future.

Again, thanks to all who made this possible including all our media friends.

We couldn’t have done it without you. God Bless! James Burton

Letters to the Editor:

Letters to the editor may be sent to: The Forum Attn: Editorial Dept. 1158 Texas Ave., Shreveport, La. 71101 Or email: editor@theforumnews.com