The Shanty Club

From 1962-1985 the Shanty Club on Greenwood Road, east of the Jewella Avenue intersection, was a popular Shreveport bar and dance hall that provided live music several nights a week. Musicians who played there included several Louisiana Hayride veterans; and the club once even hosted a nationally-known recording artist and performer. As the area around it declined, the club eventually closed. The site however continued in operation by different owners and under different names for a few more years. Shown in better days below, the building still stands (as of December 2018) but is in great disrepair. 

Shanty Club in 1982, Photo by John Margolies

Library of Congress - Prints and Photographs

This was to have been a quick exercise in advance of taking on the stories of the Lake Cliff and Skyway clubs, better known night spots noted for live music back in Shreveport's musical "golden age." However, once a search for "Shanty Club" in "Shreveport, Louisiana" on the website newspapers.com returned 1,656 results, a bigger story became evident that unfolds below. 

1949

In March 1949, W. O. "Willie Otis" Dyess applied for a building permit to construct a two-story concrete block dwelling, costing $6,000, at 3444 Greenwood Road. The following September, Dyess's Drive-In held its grand opening.

Shreveport Times 23-Sep-1949, Page 27


1953

The structure burned in May 1953. While apparently severe, it is not clear if it was simply damaged, or a total loss and rebuilt from ground up.

Times 26-May-1953, Page 5-A


1960

The 1960 Shreveport city directory listed Willie O. and Nobia Dyess as residents of 3444 Greenwood Road, site of their drive-in as well as a service station. The property, buildings,  and fixtures  went up for sale in September.

Times 04-Sep-1960, Page 12-C

The following month Dyess sold the property,  described as a drive-in and a service station to James Wesley Tanner for $60, 000. Tanner had earlier applied for permits to sell beer and liquor at the establishment, rebranded as the "Tanner Cafe and Bar."

Times 27-Sep-1960, Page 10-B


The site operated at least until September 1961 as "Tanner's Bar and Lounge."


1962

Willie Dyess had originally offered the property on terms and by 1962 regained ownership, perhaps by default. Opening with apparently no special fanfare, the first performer advertised at the new "Shanty Club" was Chuck Jones and his band.

Times 06-Apr-1962, Page 2-D

Saxophonist Bill "Foots" Rolland, who led bands and played in area clubs going back to the 1930s, performing at the Shanty. He served twice as president of Shreveport Musicians Union Local #116.

Times 23-Jun-1962, Page 5-B

1964

Dyess was identified as owner in the advertisement below..

Times 31-Jan-1964, Page 4-B


It is stated V. L. "Koonie" Kerry had performed on the Louisiana Hayride and shown below, once appeared on the bill of a touring Grand Ole Opry show.

Times 08-Dec-1965, Page 6-B


Below, "Koonie" Kerry (1932-20011), pictured later in life.

Times 29-Sep-2013, Page A12

Listed among the Cut-Ups was Edgar "Pete" Hardin(1920-2002) pictured below in an April 1967 advertisement for another club.

He and wife "Peaches," whose real name was Hilda (1923-2007), managed several area clubs over the years. One former hangout, the Skyway Club in Bossier City, burned in October 1962. They and their musician friends migrated over to the Shanty where they were advertised to have performed 26 times in 1964.

Times 15-Jun-1964, Page 4-B

Appearing in 528 of those previously mentioned 1,656 search results was the name of John Calvin "Johnny" Seymour. He was first mentioned in 1965, as a member of the house band, The Shanty Playboys, and listed often through the years, alone or with the group.

Times 22-Jan-1965, Page 5-B

Times 12-Mar-1965, Page 7-B


Touted as a former Louisiana Hayride star, Seymour appeared on the live radio programs bill at least once per an advertisement found.

Source: Son's Facebook Page

Times 17-Jun-1960, Page 6-B

Below, another Hayride veteran, Larry Bamburg, who also performed as "Larry Lincoln," at the Shanty.

Times 20-Sep-1965, Page 5-B


A detailed story of his music career and life can be found at this link: A Tribute - Larry Bamburg a/k/a/ Larry Lincoln

Larry Bamburg

Several Hayride veterans listed in a December 1965 ad below, including Johnny Seymour, Felton Pruett, and Jimmy Jay. Note Seymour was billed as being a former Grand Ole Opry star.

Times 30-Dec-1965, Page 5-C


Below, Jimmy Jay pictured in an advertisement for an appearance at the resurrected (now Blue's) Skyway Club in Bossier.

Times 19-Sep-1964, Page 5-B


Jimmy appeared on the Hayride in 1960, on the bill with Gene Wyatt (discussed further down).

Times 22-Jul-1960, Page 4-B

1966

Stormy's Lounge, later advertised as a sandwich shop, operated upstairs from the club and featured food as well as pool tables.

Times 21-May-1966, Page 5-B

The biggest name found to have performed at the Shanty was saxophonist Ace Cannon, whose 1961 recording "Tuff" was a national hit, reaching number 17 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 chart.

Times 15-Jul-1966, Page 5-B

1967

A special dance was held on behalf of "Mrs. Leola" Rains Hermes, who had passed away two weeks earlier. She was the wife of Johnny Hermes, a frequent Shanty Club performer, and sister of Thomas "Hoot" Rains of the Louisiana Hayride.

Times 17-Apr-1967, Page 6-B


1968

Bill Bohannon was a KCIJ disk jockey. His picture below is from an article about a concert in Nashville at which he was performing that was headlined by Tex Ritter.

Nashville Tennesean 07-Aug-1968, Page 18

Times 28-Jun-1968, Page 4-D


He recorded on Stan Lewis's Paula label including this song dedicated to the Port City.

1969

Jimmy Dane and the Great Danes

Times 21-Apr-1969, Page 7-B


Below, the group in 1962.

Times 08-Jun-1962, Page 10-A

1970

A June 1970 beer and liquor sales application identified the then proprietor as Mary D. Rains (1930-1986). Her husband Bruce (1926-2003) was a cousin to Hoot Rains (their fathers were brothers).

Times 01-Aug-1986, 16A


1972

In 1972 the club was closed to pay respect to the memory of Mrs. Nobia Dyess, wife of Willie, who passed away.

Times 30-Oct-1972, Page 14-A

Times 01-Nov-1972, Page 14-A


1973

Another former Hayride musician, Sonny Trammel brought his Louisiana Strings to the Shanty on several occasions.

Times 09-Mar-1973, Page 5-B


1974

Former Hayrider, Gene Wyatt with the Country Raiders; that featured Felton Pruett.

Times 08-Feb-1974, Page 7-B


Below, singer Gene Wyatt (right) presented newspaper reporter Gene Wyatt with a copy of the former's new record while on a promotional trip to Nashville in 1967.

The Nashville Tennessean 10-Dec-1967, Sec. 5, Page 6


A rockabilly number by Gene from 1959:

1975

Pruett with the "Guess Who's" in February 1975.

Times Page 28-Feb-1975, 7-B


The Misfits, a group that in various iterations had played at the Shanty as far back as 1972.

Times 20-Jun-1975, Page 6-B


Misfit lead guitarist Jim Hurley had been a guitar teacher at Werlein's and later Walker & Rodie, both downtown Shreveport music stores.

Times 03-Oct-1971, Page 7-F


Unmentioned in the newspaper for six years, the Shanty Playboys were listed one last time, backing Jimmy Boyd.

Times 04-Nov-1977, Page 5-D


Boyd pictured below in an ad for another club.

Times 06-Feb-1976, Page 8-B


1979

In June 1979 the club was added to the Times's Friday edition weekend entertainment listing.

Times 29-Jun-1979, Page 2-D

Times 07-Sep-1979, Page 4-D

Times 05-Dec-1980, Page 6-D

Lester Bain, apparently known as "Old Blue," was given a farewell party. Little else could be found about Lester, perhaps a musician or just a club regular, other than that he passed away in 1986.

Bobby Joe Primm performed at the club several times in 1980, sometimes billed alone and at other times with The Desperados.

Times 09-May-1980, Page 6E

Bobby Joe Primm

1982

The Mason-Dixon Show Band.

Times 19-Feb-1982, Page 4D


A 13-Jun-1982 article in the Times about local architecture described the building thusly - "Looks like a warthog and a reptile with its brown brick and lumpy design."


1983

The only reported incident of violence during its run, at least the only one that made the newspaper.

Times 12-Dec-1983, Page 10-A


1984

For most of 1984 the club was operated under the name "P.K.'s" with Rick Thompson providing entertainment backed by different bands, or perhaps the same band with different names - the Upside Down Band and later the Nashville Country Band. By December it had returned to its familiar moniker, with Beverly J. Carter identified as owner, and Thompson continuing to provide music. A former member of the Cripple Creek Band, he was said to have opened at various times for Hank Thompson, Ricky Van Shelton, Keith Whitley, and Johnny Lee.

1985

The last mention of the club found in the Times was notice of a performance by Sharon Gale and Flat Out Country.

Times 18-Oct-1985, Page 4-D


Epilogue

In June 1986 the site went by the name "Sandy's Hideaway" which by October was "Mary's Hideaway." Perhaps Sandy hid too well. In 1987 Leona Yount applied for a permit to sell alcoholic beverages at the "Upside Down Club." She was identified elsewhere as a housewife, however her then husband Ralph Yount was a musician who had previously performed in area venues. It's not clear if this club ever actually opened.

By 1989 the venue had become "The Benz" which catered to a rap audience, reflecting the changing demographics of the area.

Times 29-Dec-1989, Page 8C


Host of the event advertised above, M. J. Rasool was a local radio personality.

Times 12-Jul-2002, Page 2B

Barely two hours into the new year, and after the event advertised above, two men were arguing outside the club when one shot the other, who later died.

Later in 1990, a liquor application was filed for the "Las Vegas Club" at the address, and another in 1991 for the establishment "After 7." By August of that year it had become "The I Love U Club", site of gang activity and shootings that caused nearby residents to call for its closure.

Times 13-Aug-1991, Page 2A

Original owner Willie Otis Dyess passed away on New Year's Day 1992. A Sabine Parish native and longtime Shreveport, his obituary did not mention the Shanty Club. He is buried in Forest Park Cemetery.

Classified advertisement in 1995 for a garage sale and later tables and fixtures in 1995 indicate a disposal of building contents occurring.

A business license was issued in 2002 to Hilboy Productions, providing unspecified sales, service, and rental.

The city cited the property, then owned by Jack Dyess (son of Willie and Nobia), for hazardous conditions.in 2010. Whether addressed or not, in perhaps the last attempt to operate a club at 3444 Greenwood Road, one Charlie Hill, Jr. appealed to be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages, as well as for a variance of hours of operation, in January 2011.

An article in 2014 about the Mason-Dixon Show Band. The group had played at the Shanty in the early 1980s, and was still going strong after 39 years together.

Times 17-Jul-2014, Page 3C

Mentioned but not pictured was bassist Johnny Seymour, who had recent major surgery. He passed away a few weeks later. Below, the man whose name was most associated with the Shanty Club over the years, and an excerpt from his obituary.

Times 05-Aug-2014, Page A5

Shanty Club Site Today

Looking northwest from Greenwood Road.

Google Street View

The faded sign reminds of what once was.

Google Street View

Musicians And Patrons Remember

Dickie Martin: "Stormy's was located upstairs at the old Shanty club. They served a really good steak at Stormy's.  Some of the folks from the Lake Cliff club were at The Shanty club and Stormy's."

Ron Pittman : "I remember several of us neighborhood (Queensboro) kids would go swimming at the Jo Dan, then go to the Shanty Club where we would go upstairs and shoot pool and the lady let us buy and drink beer when we were like 13 and 14 yrs old. This was in the summer afternoons and Im not talking about getting soused like grown ups but she would let us drink a couple of beers...in the early 70s..."

Glynn Wilder: "I used to go to both. The Shanty Club and the upstairs all night (at) Stormy 's Played pool all night up stairs make money and bought a big steak from Sarge. Mr. Dyess knew my dad and when i was a teenager he would let me come in bring my friends and he would ask me to sing while there. Really nice man."

Ace Williamson: "I played drums there with Johnny Seymour when Jack Dyess (son of Willie and Nobia) was running it. Performed at both (Shanty Club and Lake Cliff, (another now-defunct club) at one time or the other!"

List Of Performers

Performers identified to have performed at the Shanty Club. Note there is some duplication as some were billed individually and at other times as members of a group. Lineups of some of the bands may have changed over time, and even from show-to-show. Persons noted with a (*) were one-time Louisiana Hayride performers. If a reader knows of others, or has information about one or more of those listed below, please contact the author.

Bamburg, Larry* (listed alone, and with the Continentals; sometimes misspelled "Bamberg.")

Blue Notes, The

Bohannon, Bill

Boyd, Jimmy and the Note Swingers

Brandt, Jimmy

Cannon, Ace

Cedar Grove Playboys

Clark, Carmen and the Country Chips

Country Rogues, The (Ray Logue (drums/vocal), Carmen Clark (piano/vocal), Jerry Raye (bass/vocal), and Harley Campbell (guitar)

Dane, Jimmy and the Great Danes

Day, Charlie Band

Difference, The

Floyd, Randy

Fulco, Chuck and the Rutabaga Band

Gator-Dilla Band

Hardin, Pete and the "Old Skyway Crew"

Hermes, Johnny

Jacobs, Vernon (sometimes listed alone, and with The Path Makers)

Jerry Ray and the Misfits

Jimmy Jay*

Jones, Alex "Snook" and the Night Hawks

Jones, Chuck Band

Kerry, "Koonie"* and the Cut-Ups

Kickin' Country

Lewallen, Jimmy

Lindsey, Conrad and the Mason Dixon Showband

Lindsey, Ted and the Twilighters

Louisiana Strings (Sonny Trammel*,  et al)

Ma Barker Band

McCoy, Jimmy and the Real McCoys

Misfits, The (Jerry Ray, Ray Logue, Gene Wyatt, Hurley, Felton Pruett)

Nelson, Johnny

No name listed: Jerry Thomley (guitar/vocal), Buddy Chamness (guitar/fiddle), Dickie Turner (bass), Gerald Upshaw (drums)

Primm, Bobby Joe

Pruett, Felton* and the Guess Who's

Rhythm Masters, The

Rolland, Bill and his Band

Ruth & Ray Country Show


Sandlin, Paul

Seymour, Johnny*

Shanty Playboys - Identified as Johnny Seymour (vocals), Chuck Price (vocals), Vernon Jones (drums), Johnny Hermes (piano), and D. H. "Buggs" Spurgeon (bass)

Sharon Gale and Flat Out Country

Shaver, Larry and the Beer Creek Band


Sims, Jimmy and his Band

Slayton, Larry and the Showmen


Smith, David and New Dawn


Smith, Ray & Linda and the Goodtimers


Southern Rain

L-R: Wayne Boyd, Bill Allen, Gary Diffee and John Preston

Sparks, The

Stancil, Melvin Stancil the Fabulous Cats


Starr, Phil and the Starr'llings

Thomley, Jerry and Caravan; with special guest Ruth Spinson

Thompson, Rick and Band

Twilighters, The

Williamson, Ace

Wyatt, Gene* and the Country Raiders