Lead Belly Statue

A statue of Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter stands on Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, commissioned by the City of Shreveport through the Shreveport Regional Art Council. The plaque at the base reads: "Huddie Ledbetter. From the collection of Shreveport Regional Art Council, commissioned through the City of Shreveport."

Lead Belly was born on a plantation near Mooringsport, about 30 miles north of Shreveport, and the city has embraced him as one of northwest Louisiana's most important musical figures. His influence stretches from folk and blues to rock and roll — his songs have been covered by artists from the Weavers to Nirvana.

The statue is on Texas Street in downtown Shreveport, free to visit at any time. It's part of a Lead Belly trail through northwest Louisiana that also includes his grave at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery near Mooringsport and a historical marker at Oil City on Caddo Lake.