Jan. 28 through Feb. 2 there are numerous events in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper's final show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa Are there any HDVDL people attending?

I'm looking forward to the symposiums, fanfare, and finale concert on Feb. 2.

Of course, as a french, I won't go there (it's a little too far !)
But I'm glad to learn there is still something celebrated for Buddy's (& Ritchie & BB too) death birthday.
If I remember well, Rick Talked about it few months ago.
Anyway, if someone will goes, it would be nice to send some pics.

In this week's Rolling Stone - the one with Springsteen on the cover - there's a nice article about the last days of the WDP tour, and for the first time ever, a published photo from the Clear Lake show! For years, people have sought after photos from that final show. It's nice to see that some never-before-seen photos have surfaced with the 50th Anniversary approaching. To get one from the Surf show is amazing!

As of right now, I hope to be going to the February 2nd show sponsored by the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, the one with the Crickets, Wanda Jackson, Tommy Allsup, Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos, the Big Bopper. Jr., Peter and Gordon, Graham Nash, Joe Ely, Pat DiNizio (of the Smithereens, who has a Holly tribute disc coming out Tuesday), and many others. Word has it Maria Elena Holly, Buddy's widow, will also be there. I have a ticket, but it's winter, and a 350 mile drive, so fingers crossed, I will make the journey. Hope to see you there, Tweedboy!

It is going to be filmed for a PBS special, and most likely, a DVD, so I would assume photography will be prohibited, as the producers probably wish to avoid the annoyance of flashes messing with their lighting.

Holly-billy

Rickabilly, hope you have a safe trip and see you there! The long range forecast for Mason City indicates for Feb. 2, 33 degrees and light rain. But that's a ways out.

My party has booth 312. I probably won't be spending much time there as I'll be crowding the stage. I haven't heard of any photography restrictions, but there is a letter included with my tickets stating ticket holders may be filmed or photographed without permission, compensation, yada, yada, yada..............

The newspaper where I work at (shameless plug) has an excellent article today on Jerry Dwyer. He's writing a book about the plane crash. See the story here:

http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2009/01/25/news/local/doc497bfeecbf526744811966.txt

I had been budgeting for three years to attend this show, but it's just not going to happen for me.

My reason is still good news, at least for me.

My wife and I are expecting our first little rockabilly this June.

His name won't be little T Man, but my middle name is on our short list for middle names.

Please keep all three of us in your thoughts and prayers.

T Man in San Jose CA.

I can't think of a better reason to miss this event, T Man! Congratulations!

Baby Makes Three-a-billy

I'm also excited to see that they still celebrate this. I thought I heard that this was an annual event, then I read the RS article and heard about the 50th anniversary special. I've been trying to make my way out to Clear Lake for the past few years, but either work, snow, finances, or some kind of obligation get in the way. So, when February 2nd falls on a clear and sunny weekend after I hit some kind of lotto...I will be there

Congrats, T Man.

Rickabilly and I'm Incinerator, thanks for the mention of the Rolling Stone article. I picked up a copy today. It took 30+ years for someone to come forward with pics of Buddy from the Surf as I recall seeing some on display at the Surf in the early 1990's. But those pics weren't published. It's great that at least one has been published now for everyone to see.