Page 22 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 2-3-2016
P. 22
6 Buddy’s Buddies bring music history to life for students
The Winter Dance Party Since their debut in 2002, “Buddy’s Buddies” and Tommy Allsup
Musical Scholarships organization their guest artists have played to a total audience of around “Buddy’s Buddies” are proud that the Surf Ballroom
was established here in Iowa in 12,000 students and adults. They have helped raise monies lists them in their events in the official brochures for the
1999. Since then it has raised funds to provide 80 musical to enable so many High School students to graduate to uni- Winter Dance Party. The very first show at Garner in 2006
scholarships and awards in memory of Buddy Holly, The Big versities or colleges with the assistance of a musical scholar- comprised just Tommy Allsup and Paul King and around 50
Bopper, Ritchie Valens and pilot Roger Peterson. Fundrais- ship from the organization. school kids. It’s grown some since then, there’ll be over 600
ing Rock ‘n’ Roll Tours have been staged in 1999, 2002 and Producer of “Buddy’s Buddies” is Paul King from attending this year. Many of them will be dancing out front.
2009. Northamptonshire, England. Helping keep the musical You can catch “Buddy’s Buddies” at the Winter School
In 2002, following the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party Tour, standards high and running the shows are Iowa’s Richie Lee Dance Party at Garner-Hayfield -Ventura Intermediate gym-
a show was put on by the artists for kids at Clear Lake Mid- and Chris Cekosh, from Wisconsin. Other members of the nasium on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., then
dle and High Schools and members of Clear Lake Chamber Musical Scholarship organization help out with ticketing at EB Stillman Auditorium, Clear Lake Middle School, on
of Commerce. Around 450 students and around 50 adults and merchandise. Thursday, Feb. 4, from 1-3 p.m.
attended a fabulous show, and an annual tradition was estab- Over the years, King estimates that “Buddy’s Buddies” Admission for kids is free, for adults it’s $5, which goes
lished. This was the first ‘Winter School Dance Party’ and it members total around 25 from the USA and six from Great to help provide the Winter Dance Party Musical Scholar-
featured “Buddy’s Buddies.” Artists appearing were Tommy Britain. Musicians from no less than eight states will be ships. That’s not bad value for getting to see around a dozen
Allsup, Carl Bunch, Peggy Sue Gerron, Gary and Ramona performing at this year’s shows. There will be at least 10 very talented musicians and around 1,000 kids having a lot
Tollett, Ernie Valens, George Tomsco, David Bigham, Larry “Buddy’s Buddies” from the USA. They are: Jim Schumann, of fun, says King.
Welborn and The Classics and Alan Clark. Brian Mahoney, Chris Cekosh, Butch Dobos, Billy Corston,
Every year since then, as part of the events in Clear Dennis Farland, Kevin King, Craig Thompson, Ala Page,
Lake each February to commemorate ‘The Day The Music and Mark Wildhagen. From Great Britain will come two
Died,’ a show is put on at the E.B. Stillman Auditorium in more, Tony Marsh and Dave Parsons. That list will grow
Clear Lake for around 700 students and adults. The artists says King. It always does.
are drawn from talented music fans, the self-styled “Buddy’s In addition, the legendary Tommy Allsup will play at
Buddies.” Since 2006 Garner-Hayfield School has also enter- Garner-Hayfield-Ventura only. Alan Clark and The Clas-
tained “Buddy’s Buddies,” adding to their playing schedule sics will play at Clear Lake only, and young Rock ‘n’ Roll
each year. sensation Richie Lee will play at both events. Allsup, Clark
A feature at both schools each year is a 50’s period cos- and Lee are great supporters of “Buddy’s Buddies” and play
tume competition for the kids, with nearly 120 entering in almost every year. It has become traditional at Garner for
recent years. Much appreciated help with providing prizes is the school’s Jazz Choir to accompany Tommy Allsup when
given by generous local companies who readily support the he plays “How Great Thou Art”, a great thrill for not only
Winter Dance Party Musical Scholarships organization; they the kids, but Tommy himself.
are the Surf Ballroom and Lake Chevrolet.
rockin’ to
Clear Lake Pre-Party Headquarters
Jam Time DJ’s
FEATURING THE BLUES BROTHERS
Saturday, February 6, 2016 • 10 am-5 pm
307 Main Ave., Clear Lake • 641.357.4629
welcome
50’s fans!
Hearty Delicious Dinner
Breakfasts Appetizers Nightly
Specials
Mon.-Sat. 6:30-11 am and
Sun., 7 am-12:30 pm Homemade 5-9 pm Tues.-Thurs.
4:30-10 pm Fri. & Sat.
Lunch Specials Soups
Mon.-Sat.
Open Monday-Saturday 6:30 am • Sunday 7 am
305 Main Ave., Clear Lake • 641.357.0106
