ON SALE NATIONWIDE SEPTEMBER 25, 2007

THE MUSICIAN

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1928, Antoine "Fats" Domino grew up to become one of the top selling and most influential musicians in history. Alongside Louis Armstrong, Fats has been New Orleans' most popular ambassador, representing his hometown well by spreading its unique sound all over the globe.

The world, in turn, embraced his warm, uplifting voice, rollicking piano playing, and glimmering personality. Fats Domino's music broke down barriers and appealed to people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. Simply put, everybody loves Fats.

In 1949, his professional music career and longtime collaboration with producer, writer and arranger Dave Bartholomew began with the release of his very first single, "The Fat Man". A variation of the popular "Junker Blues," the song sold over a million copies and embedded his name into the world's consciousness.

For the next decade, Fats recorded a string of hits that dominated the charts, songs that remain classics today, like "Ain't That a Shame, "Blueberry Hill," "I'm in Love Again, "Blue Monday, and "Walking to New Orleans."

It is hard to imagine that a sound so joyous and heartfelt could ever be seen as controversial, but that was indeed the case. As with most anything innovative, his music was initially met with considerable resistance.With its pounding backbeat provided by legendary drummer Earl Palmer, Fats' music scared some listeners at first.

The high quality of this music was undeniable, though, and Fats' songs found their way on to both the Pop and R&B charts, as he became the prototype of the "crossover" artist. Walls came down and prejudices melted away when his records spun on juke boxes and radio stations or house parties and dances throughout the country. His music bridged the gap between white and black audiences, and over time it also received a new name - Rock and Roll.

The artists assembled on this historic compilation are the recipients of his widespread influence. Representing so many diverse musical styles, they all share one thing in common: a debt of gratitude to Fats.

Enjoy the wonderful collection of music, and know that by purchasing this record, you are doing your part to help Fats and the Tipitina's Foundation bring home the music to his beloved Crescent City

Bill Taylor
Executive Director
The Tipitina's Foundation, New Orleans

THE MAN

After more than five decades in the music business, Fats Domino has settled well into his role as an elder statesman. By neither seeking nor avoiding attention, Fats let his career speak for itself. He was always just happy to be at home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.

On August 29, 2005, everything changed. Hurricane Katrina brought the city and surrounding areas to its knees. One of the worst hit areas in this tragic natural disaster was the now infamous Lower 9th Ward. Water climbed to well over 10 feet, and Fats, who had not evacuated, was trapped with many of his neighbors. As the world watched the city drowning, rumors spread that Fats was missing and presumed dead.

Finally, days after the storm, a dramatic rescue by the Harbor Police took place from the balcony of his home as he was pulled into a boat and brought to safety. Although Katrina's floodwaters washed away a lifetime of his personal history, including pianos, gold records, and photographs, fortunately an American legend was saved that day.

Since then, Fats, like all New Orleanians coping with the aftermath of Katrina, has faced a unique series of challenges in rebuilding his life. Like so many heroes of the storm, he immediately internalized the havoc wreaked upon the people as well as the cultural foundations of New Orleans.

So Fats reacted in the way that he knows best - through music. He donated the proceeds from his latest recording, "Alive and Kickin'" to the Tipitina's Foundation to support its mission of rebuilding the musical culture of New Orleans. After that, he still wanted to do more. What you are holding in your hands is just that. Responding to Fats' call to action, this unprecedented aggregation of musicians have joined together to help save the unique character of this important city.

Proceeds from this recording will help establish a community center and Music Office Co-op right across the street from Fats' publishing house in the Lower 9th Ward, part of a comprehensive effort to rebuild that neighborhood. It will also insure that the next generation of young New Orleanians will receive instruments and music instruction, thereby saving the traditions that gave birth to his music.