Guitarist James Burton fails to set world record

[August 24, 2009]  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Pioneering rockabilly guitarist James Burton led an ensemble of about 800 guitar players Saturday in a celebration of his 70th birthday, but failed in his attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records.

At the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, roughly 30 miles west of his hometown of Minden, Burton led a battalion of pickers through the Elvis Presley hits "That's All Right, Mama" and "Hound Dog."

Guinness lists the world's largest guitar ensemble as 1,802 participants led by Andreas Vockrodt in Germany in 2007.

Burton, who is known for working with the Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson bands, celebrated his birthday Friday.

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On the Net:

James Burton, http://www.jamesburtonmusic.com/

[Associated Press]

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