Elvis statue unveiled at Louisiana Hayride site.

[bad_boy]

The Associated Press

A bigger-than-life bronze statue of Elvis Presley was unveiled Friday in front of the Municipal Auditorium where the king of rock `n' roll performed before the Louisiana Hayride for the first time 50 years ago.

The $60,000 statue stands 7 1/2 feet tall and weighs nearly 1,000 pounds.

The Downtown Development Authority funded $40,000 of the sculpture's total cost while the Elvis Angels, a fan group, raised $20,000 in private donations.

`Never underestimate the power of Elvis fans," said Dianne Patrick, president of the Shreveport chapter of Elvis Angels.

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Presley's Hayride debut on the Municipal Auditorium stage on Oct. 16, 1954.

The statue was created by Houston artist Erick Kaposta. Kaposta, a Shreveport native, said having a piece of his artwork in his home city "is a wonderful feeling."

"There's no question," he said. "I'm so proud and happy."

The Louisiana Hayride, which featured a regular cast of musicians similar to the format of the Grand Ole Opry, had a weekly three-hour program that was broadcast on KWKH radio from 1948 to 1960.