Having a toe-tapping time

Published 12:26 am Sunday, April 6, 2008

FERRIDAY — Every toe was tapping Saturday at the 2008 Delta Music Festival, even that of Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne.

Dardenne joined revelers for a few dance moves before he took the stage and inducted Pete Fountain to the museum’s hall of fame.

Pete Fountain is a New Orleans clarinetist who got his start decades ago, Dardenne said.

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Fountain was on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” 56 times and is known for his song “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.”

“He is a New Orleans legend,” Dardenne said.

Fountain was unable to make his induction, as he was performing elsewhere, Dardenne said.

Dardenne also formally dedicate the recently revamped Arcade Theater.

Dardenne said he always loves coming to Ferriday.

“I love this festival and museum and what we’re going to be able to do for Ferriday,” he said.

Dardenne said he has great hopes for the Arcade Theater.

“Hopefully we can make it a place where people want to come and get some well-known performers,” he said.

Judith Bingham, Delta Music Museum director, said she was pleased with the turnout.

“For the weather, it’s a good turnout,” she said.

This year’s turnout was better than the previous year, she said.

“The entertainers are magnificent, they’ve done a tremendous job,” she said.

Charles Howington of Wisner said he’s been attending the music festival ever since its conception.

“I’ve been here from the first one on,” he said. “I like all the music.”