I don't see what's so wrong with the article. I mean, I think I could have done a better job of writing it, but that's just me ~ I have that opinion about a lot of published material.

The writer's point of view ~ that more of these true hometown artists should participate in Friday's big televised concert ~ is well taken. However, they're sadly unavailable, which is not the fault of the people organizing the show.

I'm not at all surprised that Fats decided to stay home, and only a little bit more shocked that Antoinette made a similar decision. I'm somewhat more surprised to learn that Allen Toussaint decided not to hop in his Bently (Louisianas license plate "PIANO") and head for high ground.

But then again, I very nearly made the same dead-wrong decision myself. The impact of this thing is simply unimaginable based on all previous hurricane experience. When we left, we figured we'd be back in a few days no matter how direct a hit the city would take.

Harry Connick Sr was district attorney of Orleans Parish for many years, and of course Harry Jr is a native son. He will be one of the headliners of Friday's fundraising TV concert.

Some of Allen Toussaint's other credits not mentioned in the article: he wrote and arranged a string of hits for Lee Dorsey in the 60s ("Workng in a Coal Mine," "(Sitting Here) La La," "Holy Smoke," etc.), organized The Meters as the house band for his Sea-Saint Studios in the 70s, and did the horn arrangements for The Band's farewell concert "The Last Waltz."