Pete Fountain (1930-2016) was a major clarinetist from New Orleans who beat most odds and became quite popular in the 1960s.

During 1956-58, Fountain was featured playing a number or two on most editions of the Lawrence Welk Show (Welk was always fond of Dixieland) which gave him national exposure.

Here he is early during his Welk period, joking around a little with the leader about his hair, and then playing a swinging rendition of “On The Alamo.”

-Scott Yanow