James Burton — Elvis's Guitar

James Burton grew up 30 miles north of Baton Rouge in Dubach, played the Baton Rouge circuit as a teenager, and by 17 was recording Ricky Nelson's hits in Los Angeles. He spent 11 years as Elvis Presley's lead guitarist — the Telecaster figure on every late-period Elvis record and concert. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The swamps and roadhouses south of Ruston are where he learned to play; the Baton Rouge music scene gave him his first audience.