Late guitar, bass, banjo and tuba player Bill Johnson (William Manuel Johnson) was born in Talladega, Alabama on August 10, 1874. Johnson began playing bass at Tom Anderson's Cafe circa 1903, and paraded with the Peerless, Excelsior and Frankie Dusen's Eagle Band during this period. He moved to California in 1909, and sent for Freddie Keppard and George Bacquet to form the Original Creole Orchestra. In later years, Johnson worked in Chicago with King Oliver, Johnny Dodds, Freddie Keppard, and others. Recordings include sessions with King Oliver, State Street Ramblers and Sidney Bechet, plus a couple tracks as band leader. Johnson is famous for shouting the iconic line "Oh, play that thing!" during the historic 1923 recording of "Dipper Mouth Blues" by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band (or did he?) Johnson retired from playing in the early 1960's, and passed away in 1972 at age 98. See Bill Johnson discography.
1903
Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Andrew Anderson (aka Andy Anderson) was born in Mandeville, Louisiana on August 10, 1903 (or 1905). Anderson worked with the Allen Brass Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band, Paul Barbarin, George Lewis, and others. In later years he played regularly at Preservation Hall. Read more here. He passed away on December 19, 1982. See Andrew Anderson recording credits.
1905
Late string bassist and bandleader Nat Towles was born in New Orleans on August 10, 1905. Towles, the son of bassist Charlie Towles, worked with Buddie Petit, Red Allen, and others before forming his own band, the Creole Harmony Kings (which featured Bill Mathews and Herb Morand) circa 1923. Towles led several other bands before retiring to California in 1959. He passed away in 1963. See Nat Towles discography.
1922
Composer Pearl King (Pearl Rita King Bartholomew) was born in New Orleans on August 10, 1922. She was the wife of NOLA music legend Dave Bartholomew, and shared many songwriting credits with him. She passed away on April 18, 1967 at age 44.
1940
Noted session guitarist and record producer Jerry Kennedy (Jerry Glenn Kennedy) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 10, 1940. Kennedy was the former head of Mercury Records Nashville office, and he also owned JK Productions, Inc. His guitar work can be heard on classics such as Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman", Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man", and Jeannie C. Riley's "Harper Valley P.T.A.". Kennedy passed away in Nashville on February 11, 2026 at age 85, Read more here. See Jerry Kennedy discography. Watch Jerry Kennedy videos on YouTube.
1964
Louis Armstrong's classic "Hello, Dolly!" album was certified Gold (sales of 500,000 units) by the RIAA on August 10, 1964.
1985
"I'm For Love" by Shreveport native Hank Williams Jr. hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on August 10, 1985.
2006
R&B singer Barbara George passed away in Chauvin, Louisiana on August 10, 2006 at age 63. George's hit "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (A.F.O. Records) topped the R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1962. It also reached #3 on the Pop Chart.
2006
The benefit concert "Dr. Phil and Friends" took place at the New Orleans Arena on August 10, 2006. Proceeds from the event went to families of first responders who stepped in after Hurricane Katrina. Performers included Brooks & Dunn, Jeff Foxworthy, Brian McKnight and Allen Toussaint.
2010
The Christian Scott Quintet were the musical guests on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on August 10, 2010. They performed "Angola, LA & The 13th Amendment" from his album "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow". Watch the video here.
1988
The 2012 Hunter Hayes single "Wanted" was certified 5x Platinum (sales of 5,000,000 units) by the RIAA on August 10, 2018. Hayes co-wrote the smash hit with award winning tunesmith and Shreveport native Troy Verges.
