That’ll Be The Day: The Buddy Holly Story Returns To Lubbock
Several weeks ago I found myself surrounded by family and friends of rock and roll royalty.
While visiting Lubbock, Texas, I was invited to a performance of “Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story.”
The musical, which tells the life story of Lubbock’s native son and rock pioneer Holly, is being staged by the non-profit Lubbock Moonlight Musicals and features cast members from of the London production of “Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story,” which closed earlier this year.
The talented performers (including many local residents and Texas Tech students) brought Holly’s music alive under the Texas stars. Adding to the depth of the experience was the fact that so many people in the audience — and even on the stage — had personal connections to Buddy Holly.
The woman sitting next to me went to school with him. His niece, Ingrid Holly Kaiter, sang in the show. And as an encore, his nephew, Eddy Weir, joined Matt Wycliffe (who plays Buddy) on stage, for a rocking guitar duet. I spoke briefly to Eddy, who said it was an honor for him to be play in the musical depicting his late uncle’s life and legacy. Countless others in the audience shared how proud they were that the musical had returned, so new generations can learn about this music pioneer.
As far as British actors playing boys from West Texas — I have to say they got the accent down just right. And by watching all of the young people in the audience it’s pretty clear — the music definitely hasn’t died.
Lubbock Moonlight Musicals presents “Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story” at the Wells Fargo Amphitheater in MacKenzie Park, July 25 and August 1, 7, 14, and 22 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org or call 1-800-735-1288 or 806-770-2000.
Related Links:
Southern Living: Top 10 Cities In Texas
The Buddy Holly Center – While in Lubbock, learn more about the man and his music
I am happy the timing was right and you were able to visit Lubbock and see the show. Visitors already have traveled to Lubbock from several countries to check out the “Buddy” play, Buddy Holly Center and numerous non-Buddy attractions in the city, too. Moonlight Musicals still has five more performances of Buddy this summer: one in late July and four scattered through August. (MM also is staging “Guys and Dolls.”) — And Moonlight Musicals just announced that, in the summer of 2010, it will bring back “Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story” and also find time to stage “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Holly fans, theater fans and ’50s music fans planning vacations in advance surely will want to consider seeing “Buddy” under the stars in Buddy Holly’s home town!
Glad to hear that the show will be back next year! Please keep us posted and let us know how Lubbock residents can get involved.
Erin – thank you! It was such a pleasure to have you as our guest.
How can Lubbock residents get involved? We are always in need of sponsorships from local businesses and patrons of the arts. We are entirely non-profit and start each year over again. It takes a lot to put on these quality shows.
Buying tickets! Tell your friends, family, work mates, etc. We love seeing the amphitheater full!
We also have a “need” list that will be on our website soon. If you cannot be a sponsor maybe you can help with one of our needs.
It is vital to the success of Buddy and to Moonlight Musicals that the city of Lubbock and it’s citizens be behind us! We love Lubbock – and we love Buddy! RAVE ON!
If you would like additional information you can certainly visit our website at http://www.lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org or via email at lubbockmoonlightmusicals@gmail.com
This is a great production with wonderful music and acting. You can enjoy our cool dry evenings and take in a world class production.
Good for you Southern Living for giving a great shout-out about the place where I was born!
Ironically, I posted a photo on my blog yesterday. My Grandmother’s front yard 1963.
Stop by sometime for a visit.
Lisa
thank you for your good service!i will do the order again.
Most people buy into the bubble gum and BS Lubbock likes to portray. When in all truth Buddy Holly was ready to get out of Lubbock and be able to perform his own way. While in Lubbock he did play on a weekly radio show. Most now do not want to admit it was only country music. This is due to Lubbock not wanting that devil music. He played many venues and had a following but not what those profiting off of his name now would like you to believe. He was ridiculed by people when he played his own songs. And praised when he acted as they wanted. Great musicians cannot be held back. And a great musician he was. Lubbock should not be praising him but thanking him for allowing a ride on his coattails long after he passed.