LOUISIANA GRANDSTAND
MUSIC MATTERS MOST
Louisiana Grandstand was formed in 2019 to grow and innovate the American Roots music scene in Northwest Louisiana. We're built on the foundation of the famous showcases of history, such as our area's Louisiana Hayride.
Shreveport's music history consists of some of the biggest names in music. Artists like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Lead Belly, Kix Brooks, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ricky Nelson, James Burton, Johnny Horton, Van Cliburn, Jimmy Davis, The Cox Family, Jordan Davis and many more are either native to our area or launched their careers to new heights from the local stages.
Who will be the next names to join that elite list? History will remember these new names moving forward as those who were part of the Louisiana Grandstand family.
OUR VENUE
The WDC Theater is a historical landmark - the newest music center in the Shreveport/Bossier City area - a century in the making. The building was erected in 1925 as the clubhouse for the Woman's Department Club.
The club, born of the suffrage movement following the turn of the century, was founded and furthered by prominent Shreveport ladies who dedicated their time and effort to creating opportunities to expose women to eduction, literacy and equality opportunities in the local area.
The club boasted many "departments" such as education, arts, home learning and other skills for developing stronger cultural ties and advancement for women. Those early pioneers of culture had the foresight to create a 400+ theater atop the second floor of the clubhouse. This theater was used for lectures and performances, as well as other club related events.
The WDC theater was built at the same time of the Strand Theater, which makes both facilities the oldest theaters in Northwest Louisiana. Today, the theater sits in almost pristine conditino with and excellent space for an elevated - but intimate - musical and performance experience.
After struggling with the result of COVID-19, the club partnered with the Louisiana Grandstand in 2020 to help grow awareness and use of the historic building, affectionately known as the "Lady on Line". What started with monthly concerts billed as the Shreveport Opry has now blossomed into a growing schedule of touring artists, showcases of regional talent and a hub of music development. This partnership has worked tirelessly to restore the building in many ways, including an installation of a new roof and other cosmetic repair projects beginning in 2022.
The Woman's Department Club is still active today and meets every Thursday with their variety of programs and exhibits for its members. Your patronage and enjoyment of the building with each of our events continues to help with the upkeep of the building and preserve an important historic landmark in our area.
Some of the many artists who have performed at Louisiana Grandstand
Aaron Watson • Adam Hood • Aidan Gray Johnston • Ansley Rimmer • April Smalley • Arielle Nichole • Ashlynn Rhae • Audrey Tate • Austin Robison • Ben Abshire • Ben Labat • Ben Roberts • Bart Crow • Brad Upton • Brent Cobb • Brett Scallions of FUEL • Braydon Watts • Bryan Martin • Buddy Flett • Callie Pirtle • Cameron Sacky Band • Cardis Wilkinson • Chad Prather • Chancie Neal • Charley Rivers • Chelsea Chaisson • Chris Rimmer • Clyde Hargrove • Colby Acuff • Confederate Railroad • Cody Canada of Cross Canadian Ragweed • Cory Cross • Dan Smalley • Dan Smalley Sr. • Daniel Goodwill • Daniel Nelson • Darrell Scott • David Daniels • David Ramirez • Dez Duron • Dillon Carmichael • Doug Stone • Drake Milligan • Dylan Bruson • Dylan Leblanc • Erica Butler • Haffway • Hassell Teekell • Hydrogen Child • Jacob Stelly • James Leblanc • Jason Boland • Jason Sepulvedo • Jesse Peyton • Jesse Rawlinson • Jimmy Wooten • John Baumann • Jon Michael Hicks • Jordan Nix • Josh Ward • Joshua Ray Walker • JR Richards of Dishwalla • Kaleigh Mathews • Keller Cox • Kolby Cooper • Kolton Moore & The Clever Few • Kyle Nix & The 38's • Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer • Logan Hall • Marc Broussard • Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives • Meredith Crawford • Micah Kennedy • Michael Brown • Mike McClure • Mike Ryan • Mike & The Moonpies • Mo Pitney • Mus Gillum • Myles Roberts • Neon Neighbors • Nick Brumley • Nolan Taylor • Parker Ryan • Phillip Glyn Ebarb • Pony Bradshaw • Presley Haile • Randy Rogers Band • The Red Clay Strays • Ryan Culwell • Ryan Matthew • Rylee Choate • Shay Bailiff • Shayliff • Stefan Prigmore • Stephen Gillum • Stephen Waguespack • Star Chamber • Sydney Cox • Tanner Usrey • TD McMurry • Ted Broussard • The Blake Brothers • The Castellows • The Cleverlys • The Cox Family • The Janets • The Steel Woods • The Wilder Blue • Tildon Gillum • Uncle Lucius • Victoria Wells • Ward Davis • Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show • William Clark Green • William Lee Martin • Zackery Grant • Zach Rushing • Zach Top • Zebb Rogers
THE RED CLAY STRAYS