The Louisiana Tigers String Band
The "Louisiana Tigers String Band" was formed when "The 12th Louisiana String Band" had double booked a date and a band was needed for the Confederate Heritage Conference in Monroe, LA. The "12th" went to Vicksburg that weekend and Charles Johnston, string bass player for the 12th LA. put together a band to play for the conference in Monroe.
All members have at least two degrees in music and play in the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. The Louisiana Tigers String Band can play Bach, Beethoven, Beatles, or Bluegrass at the blink of an eye.
The Louisiana Tigers String Band — Founding Members:
Charles Johnston, (guitar, lead vocals) Founding member of the 12th Louisiana String Band. Currently plays string bass in the 12th Louisiana String Band, plays string bass in the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. Teaches
Mathematics at Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe, LA. Plays bass guitar in the Praise Band at Ridge Avenue Baptist Church in West Monroe. Holds B.A. degree in instrumental music education and Master's of Music Education. Graduated from Louisiana
Tech University in 1975. Received M. Music Education from Northeast Louisiana University in 1980. Has performed solo for the Louisiana state convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy on two occasions, performed for the Louisiana state
convention of the Children of the Confederacy, has often performed at the Patron's Banquet at the Conference Heritage Conference in Monroe, has performed for numerous Sons of Confederate Veterans camps. Has also performed Sacred music of the Civil War Era for
several church groups. Member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church in West Monroe. Lives in West Monroe, LA. with wife June; three children: Jerri Kaye, 28, married to husband Mike; son, Brad, married to wife Michelle; and daughter Sarah,16, varsity cheerleader of
West Monroe High School.
Gary Tarver, (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, viola, vocals) Often fills in with the 12th Louisiana String Band. Has performed in a duo with Charles Johnston, performing for the Mississippi Division of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans, the UDC in Shreveport, LA. and the Patron's Banquet for the Confederate Heritage Confederacy in Monroe, LA. Holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music and has done work on a Doctoral program in Conducting. Ordained Minister.
Pastored a church in Michigan. Concentrated on the music ministry performing throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Has two children, Charles, and Elise. Lives in West Monroe, LA.
Myron Turner, (string bass, vocals) Band Director at West Monroe High School, Band Director of the Louisiana National Guard Band based at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA. Music Minister at Forest Glade Baptist Church in
West Monroe. Performs with LA JAZZ Combo. Received Bachelor of Music Education and Master's of Music Education at Northeast Louisiana University. Performs as a free lance musician on string bass and electric bass guitar. Plays string bass and tuba
in the Twin Cities Community Band in Monroe / West Monroe, Louisiana. Has four children. Lives in West Monroe, LA
