Lou Southern was well known for is work with at many county fairs. He was the former manager-producer of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival and helped start and manage the Capitol Jazz Festival in Sacramento. He directed the Kern County Fair, Great Western Exposition, Colusa County Fair and many others. While in Hollywood, he danced with Movie Stars, Rosiland Russell, Mamie Van Doren, Katherine Hepburn, Dena Merrill, and Donna Reed. He also choreographed for the CBS Red Skelton Show and the NBC Tony Martin Show. Lou Southern appeared in many Hollywood movies. This bio was copied from the 1991 California Swing Dance Hall of Fame’s Awards Program the year Lou was inducted in the Stellar Category in 1991.
The photo of Lou Southern is from Paramount’s “Living It Up” movie with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
If you have more history on Lou Southern or actual date of his death, the CSDHOF would appreciate facts you can share. Contact us via [email protected]