Highland Area Partnership Honored Local Student Musicians
The inaugural Buddy Flett Emerging Musician Award was presented to four student guitarists in Shreveport.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Blues
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The Highland Area Partnership honored four student guitarists with the inaugural Buddy Flett Emerging Musician Award. The organization expanded the honors to recognize all four talented finalists during the 22nd Annual Highland Jazz and Blues Festival.
Why it matters
This new award seeks to preserve the musical legacy of Buddy Flett by fostering the development of young talent. Organizers decided to honor all four finalists after evaluating the exceptional quality of submissions from regional students.
The awards recognized four students ranging from 9th to 12th grade across Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes. The initiative included the donation of three guitars by local businesses, including the Shreveport Music Company and The Band House.
The players
Odin Cobb
He is a 9th-grade student and the first recipient of the Buddy Flett Emerging Musician Award.
Buddy Flett
He is an influential musician whose legacy is honored by this new student award.
Highland Area Partnership
This organization manages the award and hosts the annual festival in Shreveport.
The details
Recipients were selected after submitting video performances, teacher recommendations, and mentor letters for evaluation by local musicians and board members. The winner, Odin Cobb, received a Silvertone guitar presented by Buddy Flett's family, while the three finalists were also provided with instruments.
Timeline
The award was presented during the 22nd Annual Highland Jazz and Blues Festival on October 6, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The introduction of this award represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap between regional music festivals and local youth education. It follows a growing trend of cultural organizations formalizing mentorship pipelines to ensure the longevity of specific musical traditions.
Local students in the Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes now have a dedicated pathway to receive recognition and professional-grade equipment. This initiative provides young musicians with material support that can significantly lower the barrier to entry for performing arts participation.
The takeaway
Supporting young musicians through community-led awards helps preserve regional musical heritage for future generations. Providing physical instruments to students ensures that talent is not limited by a lack of resources.
Further reading
Discover more regional artists and initiatives on the Shreveport Blues section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTBS.
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