The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame has announced that the Natchitoches based Rock & Roll and R&B group, Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs will be inducted into the Hall with their formal presentation being made at the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival on May 11th at the close of the Moondogs’ main set on the main stage at approximately 6:50 p.m.
According to Hall of Fame Executive Director, Mike Shepherd, the Moondogs check off several critical boxes that the Hall used for determining the band’s eligibility. “The main thing is just the band’s extensive contributions to Louisiana music and Louisiana musical heritage over the three decades of the Moondogs’ existence.”
“The Moondogs have been widely respected as a top quality show band not only in Louisiana but throughout the South for 30 years and that alone may have qualified them for inclusion into the Hall,” Shepherd continued. “But, their contributions to the music of our state goes far beyond that.”
Shepherd went on to say that the Selection Committee also considered the band’s charitable contributions. Over the years, they have unselfishly helped various charitable organizations raise millions of dollars. One of those charities is the James Burton Foundation for which the band has helped raise money to buy thousands of guitars for children in schools and hospitals.
The Moondogs also recorded an album several years ago, “Reflections on the Cane,” and donated all the proceeds from the sales of that album to the Louisiana Special Olympics which recognized that the Moondogs and the album as having been that organization’s “Project of the Year.” The Moondogs have also recorded several other albums of both original music and covers which received wide-spread critical acclaim. Their music has been featured on compilation albums and in a Hollywood movie.
“The fact that the band has its own syndicated radio show which regularly features Louisiana music, both recorded and live in the studio, was also a factor in determining the band’s eligibility for the Hall.” Shepherd went on to say. “I know that no other band in Louisiana has its own radio show, and seriously doubt if there is another regional band in the United States that has one.”
Over the band’s storied 30-year existence, they have performed and worked to bring together many legendary and iconic musical artists. The Moondogs brought together Elvis Presley’s former band members, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, James Burton and D. J. Fontana, along with former Elvis backup singer, Estelle Brown, and had them performing together for the first time since the King’s death in 1977.
In addition, the Moondogs have performed with Rick Derringer, Trombone Shorty, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Wayne Toups, Jo-El Sonnier, Sonny Landreth, Steve Lukather, T. Graham Brown, John Gros, Sam the Sham, Mitch Ryder, Albert Lee, and Peter Rivera of Rare Earth, to name just a few. Johnny Earthquake, himself, has been invited to perform as a guest artist with The Doobie Brothers, The Beach Boys, BadFinger and Percy Sledge, among others.
In short, Shepherd says that the inclusion of Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs into this hallowed group is probably long overdue. “Oh, we’ve been following them for years,” concluded Shepherd. “We
Inducted their bandleader and Johnny Earthquake himself, Rodney Harrington, into the Hall several years ago and it was just a matter of time before all members of the Moondogs, past and present, were brought in as well. It is extremely well deserved to show our great appreciation for their contributions to the rich musical heritage of our state.”