2012 two CD collection Roy "Professor Longhair" Byrd is considered the founding father of New Orleans R&B. He made his recording debut in 1949 for the Dallas based Star Talent Label. One of the four tracks he recorded then was the first version of his signature tune "Mardi Gras In New Orleans" featured in this collection. Over the following decades he made recordings for Mercury Records, Atlantic, Federal, Wasco, and then back to Atlantic where he produced the immortal "Tipitina". Floating World.