Wednesday, March 23, 2011

News - Pete Fountain, Mardi Gras 2011 and the Half-Fast Walkng Club

Pete Fountain Celebrates Another Year on the Avenue
Report by WWL TV

He's usually the first attraction of the day on the Uptown parade route for Mardi Gras and today was no exception. New Orleans treasure Pete Fountain lead his Half-Fast Walking Club right down the St. Charles route, making this year 51.

Pete Fountain talks to WWL's Chris Miller about the 51st year with the Half-Fast Walking Club:



''It's my day, it's my day, I enjoy being around the guys and the musicians, just everything,'' Fountain explained.

Watch Pete Fountain as the Half-Fast Walking Club begins its trek down St. Charles:



Fountain will be 81 years old in July and said he has no intention of quitting,
hoping next Mardi Gras will be another good one.

''Have a good day and see you on the road. On the route? On the road.''

He is a world famous clarinetist, but most locals just know him as Pete,
and as a wonderfully nice guy.

Video courtesy of WWL TV.

Memorabilia - Pete Fountain & Tami Curtis Ellis 2011 French Quarter Festival Poster

2011 French Quarter Festival Poster
By Louisiana Artist, Tami Curtis Ellis

The 2011 French Quarter Festival Poster highlights New Orleans'
own Pete Fountain, Connie Jones, and Tim Laughlin...

The French Quarter Festival All Stars!
Artist Tami Curtis Ellis placed them as the treasured center piece
among many iconic images that represent the music, architecture, culture,
and food that makes New Orleans what it is and what we love!


Tim Laughlin, Pete Fountain, and Connie Jones perform
as theFrench Quarter Festival All Stars at the French
Quarter Festival Press Conference in Jackson Square.



Pete Fountain signs his image in the original artwork for the poster.


Connie Jones signs his image in the original poster artwork
as Pete Fountain and Tami Curtis Ellis look on.

Photo op time with Louisiana artist, Tami Curtis Ellis and
the French Quarter Festival All Stars, Tim Laughlin, Pete
Fountain, and Connie Jones. The three legendary musicians
were the inspiration and the center piece on the 2011 French
Quarter Festival poster artwork this year.

Pete Fountain, Tim Laughlin, and Connie Jones each signed
their own image in the original painting.

It just doesn't get any cooler than that!!!


The posters are signed, numbered and printed in a rich colored silk screen process. To order yours, visit the official French Quarter Festival website at www.fqfi.org.

To see more of Tami's art, visit her website at www.tamicurtisellis.com