Allen "Puddler" Harris
| Allen W. "Puddler" Harris (Pianist for the Ricky Nelson and Jimmie Davis bands and production manager | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 9, 1936 Jigger, Franklin Parish Louisiana, USA Resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Political Party | Republican[1] |
| Spouse | Marsette B. Harris Four children
|
| Religion | Christian |
Allen W. Harris, known as Allen "Puddler" Harris (born June 9, 1936),[2] is a rock and roll and country musician who played piano in the original Ricky Nelson Band in Hollywood, California, and the last Jimmie Davis band in Louisiana. In between, he worked for a decade with Conway Twitty (1933-1993) as the singer's production manager.
Biography
Harris was born in tiny Jigger near Winnsboro in Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana. Jigger was also the birthplace of perennial Louisiana political candidate L. D. "None of the Above" Knox. Harris's interest in music began as a teenager when he and guitarist Fred Carter, Jr., also from Winnsboro, formed a band which played at parties, drive-in restaurants, and other similar gatherings. Harris joined the United States Marine Corps. On his discharge, he was given the opportunity to substitute for pianist Floyd Cramer (1933-1997) at the Louisiana Hayride in the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium. When Cramer moved permanently to Nashville, Tennessee, Harris replaced him as staff pianist at the Hayride, which closed in 1960. He also recorded and toured with Johnny Horton and became friends with Joe Osborn, originally from Mound near Tallulah in Madison Parish in northeastern Louisiana, and James Burton, a guitarist born in Minden in Webster Parish in northwestern Louisiana. The trio thereafter reunited as members of the original Nelson band.[3]
While in Hollywood, Harris recorded with actor Walter Brennan (1894-1974), known for three Academy Awards for Best Actor and his The Real McCoys television series, Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Lettermen, The Ventures, and Ray Anthony. He also worked for Leroy Van Dyke and Nat Stuckey (1933-1988). When Stuckey toured with Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Twitty offered Harris a position with his "Twitty Bird Band."[3]
While performing in Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana, Harris became friends with the mayor and was subsequently asked to become director of the Lake Charles Civic Center, named for the late Mayor James Sudduth. It was during this time that Harris joined the last band of former Louisiana Governor Davis. He remained with his friend Davis until the former governor died in the year 2000.[3]
Harris resides in Lake Charles with his wife, Marsette B. Harris. He has four children. He is among fifteen fellow musicians, living and deceased, including Davis and Twitty, who have been inducted into the Delta Music Museum in downtown Ferriday in Concordia Parish.
On January 28, 2012, Harris received the annual "Friend of Jimmie Davis" award at the banquet of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.[4]
References
- ↑ Allen Harris 70611 06/1936. Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved on January 5, 2020.
- ↑ Allen Harris. Mylife.com. Retrieved on January 4, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Brochure, "Delta Music Museum Celebrities," Delta Music Museum, Ferriday, Louisiana.
- ↑ La. Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield to enshrine Baden, five others, Jan. 28.. Alexandria Town Talk (January 16, 2012). Retrieved on February 1, 2012; no longer on-line.
