Lead Belly 2025 R-B Hall of Fame Nominee, Along With Beyonce

Cleveland, Ohio Dec 20, 2024 (EMWNews.com) – Whether or not you lived during his era, we all know and love him through his music which lives on today in the hearts and souls of all. King of the 12-String (guitar) and current Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee 

Lead Belly (born Huddie Ledbetter), now has been nominated for 2025 induction in the R & B Hall of Fame.

Lead Belly’s great niece and founder of National Huddie Ledbetter Day #huddieledbetterday Activist Greshun De Bouse says of her famous relative, “He is deserving of this nomination, as his unique musical stylings and influence span genres, generations, and cultures.”

While Lead Belly is most notable for his virtuosity on the 12-string guitar, he also played the piano, mandolin, harmonica, and violin, and of course, his powerful vocals are unmatched.   An array of artists from Elvis and Johnny Cash to the Beatles, and Ludacris to Missy Elliot-just to name a few- have covered and sampled Lead Belly’s music. The 2025 R&B Hall of Fame Inductees will be announced in early 2025, and hopes for Lead Belly to be among the inductees are in the air.  Among the 2025 nominees with ties to Shreveport, LA like Lead Belly are: Louisiana Hayride & KWKH – TV/Radio Station-notable 1950s performance venue for nascent Elvis Presley and others, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson-who recently opened G-Unit studios in Shreveport, LA. Lead Belly has his namesake community in Shreveport called Ledbetter Heights, and a statue of him is a major local and tourist attraction in downtown Shreveport, LA. Though her Louisiana ties are to New Orleans rather than Shreveport, Beyonce also is among the 2025 nominees.  Also, Shreveport, LA is one of three locations the R&B Hall of Fame is considering for its permanent home, and is an equal contender musically.  De Bouse says “Shreveport deserves recognition for its musical contributions to the world.”  Lead Belly’s R&B Hall of Fame nomination and anticipatory induction are among the ways to recognize such contributions.