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Johnny Horton Tribute Day
Held Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000
At Rebel State Historic Site
Near Marthaville, La.

CLAUDE KING MAKES COMEBACK
ON JOHNNY HORTON TRIBUTE DAY SHOW

Claude King was a real hit on the Johnny Horton Tribute Day Show at Rebel State Historic Site on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2000. It was Claude's first performance in sometime and the fans really enjoyed seeing and hearing him. He was given a standing ovation at the end of the show. And it was good to see Claude and his old partner and manager, the Legendary Tillman Franks, work together again.

Claude King is shown singing "North To Alaska," one of the great Johnny Horton numbers with the Plainsmen Quartet. The quartet recorded the song with Johnny in 1960.

   
The Great Claude King put on a wonderful "Comeback" performance at Rebel State Historic on Saturday, Oct. 7. These are two studies of Claude singing.

   
Merle Kilore, writer of "Johnny Reb" and a friend of Johnny Horton, was a real hit on the Tribute Day program. Here he is shown with Marsha Gentry, manager for the Rebel State Historic Site.
J. J. Brown, an employee of Rebel state Historic Site, is shown with hit entertainer Merle Kilgore.


   
Edwin Meyer, right, came over from Victoria, Tx. for the function. He is shown here visiting with Tommy Horton.
Debbie Horton is shown performing at the Johnny Horton Tribute. She and husband Tommy did a great rendition of Johnny Horton music. Shown at right is Howard Welborn, head of the great gospel group, The Plainsmen.

   
Debbie Horton, center, is all smiles as she visits with the Great Claude King, left; Tommy Cassell, who served as a Master of Ceremonies; her husband, Tommy; and the Rev. Billy Franks.
The Legendary Tillman Franks, left, played bass with the Hortons, Tommy and Debbie. "It was a great thrill to have the same wonderful guy that played for Johnny Horton playing for us," Tommy said. They were accompanied by Howard Welborn and the Plainsmen Quartet, shown in the background.




   

Tugboat Jerry of Pattison, La. is shown performing some of the songs of the late-great Ernest Tubb. In the background is Tillman Ben Franks Jr.
Tugboat Jerry, at mike, was among those on the Johnny Horton Tribute Day program. He was backed by Second Generation. Left to right, they are Robin Vosberry, Bud Christian, Jay King, Pat Smith and Tillman Ben Franks Jr.

The Rev. Billy Franks, left, is shown talking to Johnny's brother, Frank Horton of Crockett, Tx. and his wife, Lorna. At right is Johnny's last remaining sister, Marie Horton Jones, also of Crockett. The Rev. Franks, who has been pastor of Oakmont Church of God in Shreveport, La. for 51 years, preached Johnny's funeral. He, along with Capt. J. A. Jones, broke the news of Johnny's death to his wife, Billie Jean. Capt. Jones was Billie Jean's father.

Howard Welborn, head of the Plainsmen Quartet, is shown visiting with the Rev. Billy Franks, who preached Johnny Horton's funeral. Brother Billy recently celebrated his 51st Anniversary as a minister.

State Rep. Taylor Townsend, left, served as Master of Ceremonies for the main portion of the Johnny Horton Tribute Day. Rep. Townsend serves District 23, which is composed of Natchitoches Parish and part of Winn Parish. At right is Murry Franks who also did some of the MC work.

A real hit on the program was little Cole Vosberry, son of Robin Vosberry, shown at left singing with his son. Other members of Second Generation shown in the picture are Bud Christian, Jay King and Tillman Ben Franks Jr.

Judy Mitts did a wonderful job singing and playing the autoharp at the Johnny Horton Tribute Day.

Ronald Skains, right, is shown speaking to the crowd. He is running for Louisiana Fourth District Congressman in the November election. At left is master of ceremonies Murray Franks of Shrevport.

Don and Peggy Sim of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada came down especially for the Johnny Horton Tribute Day. They were close friends with Claude and Barbara King of Shreveport and Don is regarded as "The World's Biggest Johnny Horton Fan."

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