Gene Stewart has enjoyed his hobby of singing and entertaining folks for more than 70 years in the Ark-La-Tex and Mississippi area.
He was inducted into the Northeast Louisiana Music Hall of Fame on June 26 at the Flying Heart Brewery in West Monroe. The honor recognizes his contribution to the popularity of music in this area and beyond. In the recent past, Gene was recognized by the NE LA Music Trail when Music Marker #8 was erected on the courthouse square in Rayville in recognition of his contribution to the Music Scene for many years.
Known as “The Country Rebel” from Rayville, Stewart recorded his first record “Rub It In” in 1972. The song was a regional hit on radio and introduced him to many fans at country shows throughout northeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and east Texas. In between he and his band “The Country Rebels” performed at weddings, benefit shows, open houses, churches, marble shoots, moose lodges, nursing homes, etc.
Playing their popular brand of rock-a-billy/ country up-tempo music to hundreds and thousands of fans.
Stewart spent 42 years with the US Postal Service in Rayville and 16 of those years as postmaster of Rayville. He was also the owner of Gene Stewart Realty and was a real estate broker for over 50 years.
Asked about his plans for the future, Steward replied that he plans to serve his God, enjoy life, sing as often and as loud as he can, write more songs and appear at country shows when possible.
If you haven’t seen the music marker, please stop by the Richland Parish Courthouse in Rayville on Julia Street.
You can also check out Stewart’s music at: www. YouTube.com/GeneStewart71269.
Gene Stewart
