Events of 2012

Jan 6, 2012 - Vicky is typing the manuscript John left when he died 2-28-2011 telling the story of his musical life from age 5 until 77. Included will be memories of recording in Clovis at the Norman Petty Recording Studios with various artists.

Jan 7, 2012 - At The Flower Mound High School Football Banquet, the Pickering's grandson, Jacob, received the UIL All-State Academic Award! He played football through his senior year. Congratulations Jacob! He is headed for Baylor University in Waco, TX this fall.

Jan 26, 2012 - Buddy Holly's classmates from Lubbock High School, Class of '55, meet and reminiscence each month across towns in Texas. This day the Houston area group met at Kelly's Restaurant in Stafford, Texas. Lots of sharing about the fun times at Lubbock High.

There are over 12,000,000 views of sites with The Picks voices on "True Love Ways" in the "Never Say No To Panda" commercials on YouTube.

Feb 9, 2012 - It was announced that 6 "backing groups" will be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, including Buddy Holly's "backing group" - The Crickets. Maybe someday they will include the Holly/Crickets' vocal "backing groups" like The Picks and Tolletts. (See April 14).

Feb 11, 2012 - In the book, "The Pioneer Woman" a character has a dog named "Puggy Sue".

On Garrison Keillor's radio show "Prairie Home Companion" a song titled "Snowman" was sung to the tune of "La Bamba".

Feb 16, 2012 - Bob Pickering was at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Katy, TX and heard "Oh Boy" playing. He told his friends that was his dad, Bill, and uncle John were singing on the song.

Feb 20, 2012 - Heard on the Michael Garfield Radio Show on KPRC in Houston a mention of Buddy Holly's death in 1959. People were remembering impressive deaths that happened in their lives and the plane crash was mentioned. The conversations began with people remembering on President's Day the deaths of U.S. Presidents and who was President when they were born. Franklin D. Roosevelt was President when Buddy Holly (1936) and Vicky (1937) were born.

Feb 21, 2012 - Email quiz "Old Geezer's Test" stated Don McLean wrote "American Pie" and asked who it was a tribute to. Answer: Buddy Holly.

At John's Reagan High School Class of '51 luncheon a classmate said he saw the notice that the Crickets would be installed in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame.

Feb 24, 2012 - Pickering's daughter drove to Houston to spend the weekend with Vicky on the 1st anniversary of John's death (2-28-11). Son and daughter-in-law will be in town also. Second daughter and husband are in England and Paris for her birthday.

Feb 28, 2012 - Singer and performer, Johnny Rogers called to extend his condolences on the anniversary of John's death. Many fans and friends emailed and Facebooked their condolences.

Feb 29, 2012 - Tornado hit Branson, MO and other areas. Musical show with The Rankin Brothers and friends had no problems and they were headed to work at Clay Cooper's New Theater. If Richard Porter was in town, hope he is OK and his condo not damaged.

Mar 1, 2012 - Vicky entertained at the piano for the AARP Alief, TX Chapter with a St. Patrick's Day theme.

Mar 3, 2012 - Vicky and Kathy Pickering had lunch at the Houston Hard Rock Cafe then attended the musical "Million Dollar Quartet" at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in the downtown theater district. John and Vicky and son John met Carl Perkins at the filming of an Austin City Limits Show in 1987. John and Vicky saw Elvis in Lubbock in 1956, so it was interesting to see the musical. It was a great show with very talented people and 2 hours of music from the 50s and 60s. John and Vicky visited the Sun Records site in Memphis in 2004 as well as Graceland.

Mar 24, 2012 - Buddy Holly mentioned in mystery novel "The Drop of the Hard Stuff" - a Matthew Scudder novel by Lawrence Block (c) 2011. In Chapter XIX, page 113 and 114 on the Nook version, "The walls at Armstong's are a collection of incongruities, and the pick of the litter is the mounted elk's head hanging on the rear wall. Directly beneath it, looking across the room at me through a pair of Buddy Holly-style horn-rimmed glasses, was a stocky guy around my age wearing a shirt and a tie and a half smile on his thin lips."

Mar 28, 2012 - As of this date, it seems apparent that Lubbock will not ever place The Picks and Tollett's names on their Walk of Fame for the work they did with Buddy Holly as the Voices of the Crickets in 1957.

Mar 29, 2012 - Houston members of the Lubbock HS Class of '55 met at Kelly's in Stafford, TX for a luncheon during which they remembered the good old times at Lubbock High. Visitor BeeBee Boynham from Louisiana knew Patricia (Pat) Holley and visited in the Holley home and knew Buddy during the early 1950s.

Apr 1, 2012 - Fran E. Sullivan, widow of Cricket Niki Sullivan, died in Sugar Creek, MO. She and Niki married in 1967 and had twin sons and grand children Holly and Mason. (Niki died 4-06-2004). (Fran's memorial service was held April 7th in Independence, MO.) Sincerest condolences go out to the family.

Apr 5, 2012 - Vicky entertained at the piano at the AARP Alief, TX Chapter with spring time selections including "Easter Parade". She played "Happy Birthday" and "Happy Anniversary" to the April members, including herself in the birthday wishes, while the 100 in attendance sang.

Apr 7 -10, 2012 - A four-part series by Willima Kerns was in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal with interviews of the Crickets.

Apr 9, 2012 - Buddy Holly question. Final Jeopardy: Hollywood Walk of Fame question. The Final Jeopardy question in the category "The Hollywood Walk of Fame was "His widow Maria Elena and Gary Busey were on hand when his star was dedicated outside Capitol Records in 2011" .No one knew the answer.

Apr 10, 2012 - Vicky heard "La Bamba" when it played at the Houston Astros/Atlanta Braves game at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Astros were celebrating their 50th year as a team playing in Houston.

Apr 12-15, 2012 - WOW Clarksdale, MS! 3 days of music all over town and in front of the Rock & Blues Museum on 2nd street:
FRIDAY, APRIL 13 1 PM - 5 PM Carlos Elliot Jr, Selwyn Cooper, David Raye, Theo D & bluesjam...

"A health issue will stop drummer Jerry (J.I.) Allison, 72; guitarist and lead vocalist Sonny Curtis, 74; and standup bass player Joe B. Mauldin, 71, from being in Cleveland tonight. The Crickets, including the late Niki Sullivan, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at 8 p.m. in Cleveland, at long last placing them on equal status with band leader Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holly, a member of the inaugural class of musicians voted into the hall of fame a quarter-century ago.(Guitar picker Niki Sullivan left the band at the end of 1957 and was 66 when he died from a heart attack in 2004. Mauldin is dealing with a health issue and wants his privacy respected. On Thursday, Curtis said in an email, “He is having surgery in a few days and cannot go to Cleveland. J.I. and I decided that, if Joe B. can’t go, we won’t go. That’s the main reason.”

Apr 14, 2012 - Although The Picks and Tollett's voices are on the "Crickets" most famous contribution to Rock and Roll, "The 'Chirping' Crickets" 1957 LP, they will not be included in the induction. Buddy Holly was inducted in 1986. The "Crickets" were basically instrumentalists on the LP. The Picks and Tollett's were the "Voices of the Crickets" on the LP. Recognition sometimes takes a long time in coming, doesn't it? (See Feb. 9th).

Apr 14, 2012 - Listening to "Oh Boy" with The Picks doing backup vocals on a 1999 Rhino CD release "Loud, Fast and Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of 50s Rock by The Crickets."

Apr 14, 2012 - Enjoyed Liam Brighton's Buddy Holly & The Picks Covers on YouTube. Good guitarist. Heard "Take Your Time", "Peggy Sue", "Heartbeat" and other songs.

www.nme.com "First In Music", an online magazine, has several sites for Buddy Holly & The Picks songs.

Apr 15, 2012 - The daughter of Vicky Pickering and the late John Pickering, Lisa Pickering Rees, was ordained a deacon in the Richardson, TX First Baptist Church. A reception followed the service. Lisa joins her husband who is also a deacon.

Apr 16, 2012 - According to Wikipidea " In 2012, J.I. Allison, Joe B. Mauldin, Sonny Curtis and Niki Sullivan were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Crickets by a special committee, aimed at correcting the mistake of not including the Crickets with Buddy Holly when he was first inducted in 1986.

Apr 18, 2012 - Dick Clark 1929 - 2012. Dick Clark, 82, died of a massive heart attack it was reported. A TV Icon for his "American Bandstand", he introduced many musical groups including Buddy Holly.

"Elvis may have been 'The King', but Buddy Holly was unquestionably the Father of Rock & Roll music." - Dick Clark.

May 1, 2012 - Travel Channel show "Mysteries at the Museum" includes the "Buddy Holly Curse" in the show. Including deaths of David Box and Del Shannon. Controversial author Gary W. Moore is interviewed.

May 2, 2012 - On page 2 of the Houston Chronicle is an article and picture on Bobby Vee. "Ex-pop idol Vee has Alzheimer's." "Vee was catapulted to stardom after the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. 'Big Bopper' Richardson in a 1959 plane crash".

Never Say No To Panda - Buddy Holly and The Picks "True Love Ways" 14, 359,089 plus other sites make it over 15 million views.

May 19, 2012 - Sad news for the LHS Class of '55. Member Bobby Hughey of Humble, TX died after a long illness. Along with many interesting careers and hobbies, Bobby was former City Manager of Richardson, TX. He is survived by Amber and family.

May 22, 2012 - Members of the Houston area LHS Class of '55 attended the memorial service for classmate Bobby Hughey in Houston. The classmates met at Raznovski's for lunch following the service.

May 31, 2012 - The Houston area LHS Class of '55 met at Kelly's in Stafford, TX. Always talk of the musician friends we knew in Lubbock.

Jun 7, 2012 - LHS Class of '55 classmates Chalky and wife Maru, Shirley and Vicky met at Larry's Restaurant in Houston for lunch. Conversation centered around the classmates they have lost to death this year.Theye are looking forward to the LHS Class Reunion in June of 2013 in Lubbock.

Jun 20, 2012 - A friend, Ada, brought to Vicky's attention that Texas Monthly magazine issue had a story that mentioned Buddy Holly and Lubbock. On the Internet were the articles written by Joe Nick Patoski, writer, historian and Texan on "Last part of the stories behind my West Texas Music Drive, one of 16 drives featured in the June 2012 Texas Monthly Drives Issue." Included are "Lubock, Texas, Buddy Holly's hometown" and Norman Petty Recording Studios, Norman and Vi Petty Rock & Roll Museum, Clovis, New Mexico."

Vicky enjoyed a nice conversation with Joe Nick Patoski on Face Book. He had talked with John several years ago.

Jun 20, 2012 - Lubbock High School Class of '55 Grad - memorial service for classmate Rose Leftwich. The memorial service was online and the webcast video began with classmate Buddy Holly's recording of "True Love Ways" and ended with Elvis Presley's recording of "Amazing Grace". www.memorialdesigners.net . Rose had a short marriage to Buddy Holly's girl friend Echo McGuire's brother.

Holly historian, Bill Griggs funeral was held at the same funeral home on March 29, 2011. Vicky looked at the webcast video at www.memorialdesigners.net . The service began with the playing of "Maybe Baby" by Buddy Holly and The Crickets and The Picks. John Pickering was heard singing on "Maybe Baby". John was heard singing solo on "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". Bill Griggs had asked John many years before to sing that song at his funeral. John always answered him "If I outlive you, Bill". John died one month and a day before Bill. Sharon Griggs used the recording from a CD. Note: See March 29, 2011 listing

Paul Bean, former DJ, politician and radio station owner in Lubbock spoke. He said "Lubbock may not have been the birthplace of rock 'n' roll music, but it was the neo-natal unit that kept it alive."

Jul 10, 2012 - Happy Birthday to the Pickering's grandson #1, Garrett.

Jul 12 - Aug 13, 2012 - Pickering's son-in-law, Terry Robinson, Jr. was seen on TV at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Terry is the head trainer, a PT and an AT for the U.S. Diving team and assists other aquatic teams as needed. Terry stayed in the Olympic Village with the athletes. On Face Book you can follow his trip at Grapevine Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. www.grapevinept.com . Terry was interviewed live from London on the ABC TV station in Dallas and several newspaper articles were written. Great photos of Terry with 3 Gold Medal Winners - Sammy Lee (1948 and 1952), Greg Louganis (1984, 1988) and David Boudia (2012). Congrats, Terry.

Jul 12-13, 2012 - The 55th anniversary of the recording of The Picks backup vocals on Buddy Holly's solo version of "Oh Boy". Released as Buddy Holly & the Crickets. Recorded at the Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, NM. [See Oct 12-14].

Jul 19 - Aug 8, 2012 - Pickering's granddaughter, Rylie, left for a 3-week mission trip to MInnis Bay in England for the 3rd year.

Jul 22, 2012 - Holly music fan Stephen Tompkins sent an article on Holly music: http://www.library.unt.edu/music/special-collections/john-gilliland/index-to-pop-chronicles . Interview with Norman Petty. Thanks, Stephen.

Jul 22, 2012 - Hundreds of mentions, records and photos of Buddy Holly and The Crickets and The Picks can be found on the Internet, Face Book and other social networking sites and search engines - 55 years since the recording of the songs on "The Chirping Crickets" LP - Summer of '57.

Jul 26, 2012 - The Houston Chapter of the LHS Class of '55 met at Kelley's Restaurant in Stafford, TX for lunch and conversation, pictures and annuals remembering the fun 3 years at Lubbock High in the fifties. Plans are being made for the 58th reunion in June, 2013 in Lubbock. Some of the class had attended school together since the 1st grade.

Aug 30, 2012 - Pickering's daughter Lisa sent this note: "I just ran across the last part of Quantum Leap show and the man who leaps was a man on a ranch. He was looking for his pig, so he asked his son if he had seen the “piggy” and as he called the pig he said “piggy suey”, so the boy starts playing on his guitar and singing Peggy Suey to the tune of Peggy Sue, then the man tells him, “I think it would sound better as “Peggy Sue”, so the boy starts singing Peggy Sue. You may have already seen it but if not, here are the details of the show. You might could look it up. Quantum Leap; “How the Tess Was Won”-August 5,1956; Original Air Date-4/14/89. "

The Quantum Leap show on March 11, 1963 was named "Maybe Baby".

Sep 6, 2012 - Vicky Pickering played piano for the Alief TX AARP Chapter before the dinner and meeting.

Sep 6, 2012 - Joe South, singer, songwriter, died 9-05-2012. The Pickering Brothers - John and Bill, recorded his song "Don't It Make You Want To Go Home" in Nashville in 1970 on the Stop Records label.

Sept7, 2012 - Happy Birthday Buddy Holly. 09-07-1936 / 02-03-1959.

Oct 2, 2012 - Howard "Van Howard" Vandevender, 3-1-1929/10-02-2012. Van was born into a musical family near Clovis, NM. Van's family listened to radio station KICA in Clovis. At age 13, Van had his own radio show on KICA. He played his guitar and sang. He also sang for special events as well as school and church. Van had a career in country music many years with Ray Price. Van and the Pickering Family knew each other when they worked at KICA. Van recorded many CDs.

Oct 3, 2012 - Happy Birthday to the Pickering's grandson #3, Zachary.

Oct 4, 2012 - Vicky played a piano program of "golden oldies" songs at the Alief TX AARP Chapter dinner meeting. She has been requested to present a program of Buddy Holly and The Crickets songs for a future meeting.

Oct 9, 2012 - Happy Birthday to the Pickering's grandson #2, Landon.

Oct 12 - 14, 2012 - The 55th anniversary of the recording of 8 songs by The Picks in Clovis, NM and along with "Oh Boy" recorded in July made 9 of the songs on "The Chirping Crickets" Brunswick LP that was released November 27, 1957. [See July 12-13].

Oct 20, 2012 - Vicky attended a surprise 75th birthday party for LHS classmate, Charles "Chalky" Stogner". Chalky was a friend of Buddy and the Crickets.

Oct 21, 2012 - Vicky attended the 60th wedding anniversary celebration honoring Sadie and Bob Easley, classmates of John at John H. Reagan High School, Houston, class of '51. Friends heard "Oh Boy" on their car radio on the way to the party. At the party, Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" was played in the background. Robert "Bob" Easley was a member of the 1952 Texas A&M football team coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant. The team was known as the "Junction Boys" because they practied that September in difficult weather conditions near Junction, Texas.

Oct 22, 2012 - Happy Birthday to the Pickering's grandson #4, Jacob. a freshman at Baylor University.

Oct 29, 2012 - Vicky was glad to have visitors from Ohio, Holly music fans Pat and Jim Schuman. They were in town for the International Quilt Festival being held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. It is the largest convention held there. There will be 1,500 quilts and pieces of art shown. Vicky and the Schumans had lunch at the Tejas Restaurant for "real Tex-Mex" food in Alief, TX. Vicky joined them on Nov. 2nd to tour the convention and have dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.

On radio and TV commercials in Houston a plumbing company used the tune and title line to "It's So Easy".

Reports of Buddy Holly and the Cricket songs are being heard on radio in the Houston area.

Nov 1, 2012 - Ralph Dewitt of Lubbock reported a good show at the Austin Record Convention. He saw a 1969 "Pickering Brothers" picture being sold.

Vicky played a piano program at the Alief, TX AARP Chapter meeting. Musician Moses Rangel presented the musical program for the entertainment portion of the meeting. Every one enjoyed the program presented by Moses.

Texas Highways Magazine November 2012 issue had an article on Roy Orbison. In "Postcards" "Vernon's Music Legacy - Rocking (and more) on the Red River." A pictue was included. Roy was born in Vernon, Texas in 1936 and began his music career there. (Note: see February, 2013 listing on Roy and the University of North Texas award.)

Nov 18, 2012 - Vicky heard Buddy Holly singing and the Crickets playing on "That'll Be The Day" at a local store. Vicky emailed Gary and Ramona Tollett to say they are still sounding good after all these years! They responded "We are so glad to know that the "old" songs are still being played. Makes it all seem worthwhile!"

Nov 27, 2012 - Anniversary of the release of "The Chirping Crickets" Brunswick LP in 1957.

Nov 29, 2012 - The Houston area LHS Class of '55 grads met for lunch at Kelley's Restaurant in Stafford, TX. Buddy Holly classmate, Harrell Rudolph said he received a lot of teasing in 1949 when, "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released.

Nov 30, 2012 - LHS grad Don Boggus and wife Mary Lou, hosted a Christmas Caroling Party in their home. Guests included friends, neighbors and members of the LHS Lunch Bunch who all attended school with Buddy and the Crickets. Mary Lou and her daughter entertained with an enjoyable musical program.

Dec 1, 2012 - Seen on TV in Houston, the March of Dimes played a spot that is "Accompanied by Family of the Year performing the Buddy Holly song “Everyday,” the spot flashes the message “Don’t speed up your delivery date,” while its voice-over says, “Babies aren’t fully developed until at least 39 weeks, which means babies born even a few weeks early can have breathing, feeding and learning problems. If your pregnancy is healthy, wait for labor to begin on its own. A healthy baby is worth the wait.” The spot ends with the URL for the section of the March of Dimes’ Web site devoted to full-term pregnancies."

Dec 3, 2012 - Cartoon on Face Book "Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly" show elves nailing up Buddy Holly mannequins on a wall while Santa watches. Uncredited artist.

Vicky celebrated the birthday of her cousin, Lavoyda, with her husband, Leonard seeing the movie "Lincoln" and dinner at Gringo's Mexican Food Restaurant in Pearland, TX. When Lavoyda lived in Farwell, TX as a teenager, she took piano lessons from Vi Petty in nearby Clovis, NM.

Dec 4, 2012 - Vicky received the Rod Stewart Christmas CD, "Merry Christmas, Baby".

Dec 5, 2012 - For several days in the Houston Chronicle, Andrew Dansby had "Sounds of the Seasons" with stories of the writing of Christmas songs. On Dec. 11, "Darlene Love's song echoes her career" "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" (1963); Dec. 18, "Simple plea for peace resonates each holiday" "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (1962);Dec. 21, "A Keen Sense of Christmas" "Merry Christmas From the Family" (1994) Dec. 25, " 'The Christmas Song' was born on a very hot day" "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You") 1945.

Dec 6, 2012 - Vicky performed a piano program of Christmas music for the Alief Chapter of AARP Dinner Meeting. Sugar Land's newest Super Star, 16- year old Ericka Marks, performed an entertaining musical program. Watch for Ericka in the future!

Dec 8, 2012 - Vicky attended Houston's First Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra presentation of "Celebration - The Spirit, The Songs, The Story" directed by John E. Bolin, Minister of Worship and Arts. "Celebration" was made up of over 700 performers on and off stage.

Dec 9, 2012 - The son of the late Bill Pickering, Bob Pickering, sang in 3 productions of the Kingsland Baptist Church of Katy, Texas, program "You Came" in the Christmas Worship Services. Josh Stewart is the Worship Pastor in the Worship Ministry of the church. Josh sang the song written by the Pickering's longtime friend, Mark Lowrey's classic Christmas song, "Mary Did You Know?" while special guest painter, Kristen Duncan, painted a scene showing Jesus from the manager to the empty cross with "I AM" written on the canvas.

Holly music and friend of the Pickering's, Gordie Maxon, called from Battle Creek, Michigan. He was sorry to learn of John's death on 2-28-11.

Dec 12, 2012 - (12/12/12) Jim Meager, UK musician and arranger signed the Guest Book with very nice compliments of The Picks' overdubs with Buddy Holly music. Thank you Jim.

Dec 13, 2012 - Vicky drove to The Woodlands, TX where she celebrated an early Christmas dinner and opening of gifts with son, John, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Pickering. Vicky then drove to Dallas where she visited with her daughter's family.

Dec 14, 2012 - Vicky and her 2 granddaughter's attended the first showing at 12:01 a.m. of "The Hobbit". In a restaurant in Pueblo, CO the next morning, they saw place mats at the Denny's Restaurant advertising "The Hobbit" movie.

At 9 p.m. Vicky and daughter's family of 4 left Flower Mound, TX and drove 15 hours to Denver CO where they met with two grandsons, another daughter and grandson and the Rees grandfather (on Saturday the 15th).

Dec 16, 2012 - Vicky, the Rees and Robinson families attended the graduation of Vicky's first grandson, Garrett Rees, from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Garrett received a degree in Computer Information Systems. His class is the first with the University designation. The graduation was held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. John W. Pickering would have been very proud of his first grandson's graduation. Second grandson will graduate from the same school in May of 2013.

A posthumous honorary Bachelor of Art Degree was conferred for Jessica Ghawi who was killed in the movie theater massacre in Auroria, CO. in the summer.

Dec 18, 2012 - Vicky and the Rees family enjoyed a day in Winter Park, CO ski resort with the children snowboarding while the adults shopped and enjoyed the restaurants. Other family members had flown/driven back to Dallas and Houston.

Dec 19, 2012 - Vicky and the Rees family enjoyed being in a beautiful 6" snowstorm in Denver. They left Denver at 3 p.m. and had a 16.5 hour drive to Dallas traveling in 13 degree weather at times and following the snowplows and trucks scattering sand and gravel on the roads in order to be in Dallas for a 2 p.m. appointment with Kandy Bagley.

Dec 20, 2012 - Vicky enjoyed hearing radio Sunny 99.1 from Houston on the Internet in Dallas playing Christmas music.

In Dallas, Vicky enjoyed meeting Kandy Bagley, actress and songwriter affiliated with PDF Entertainment Group, Velocity Entertainment, and Million Voices Foundation. They shared their affiliation with the Buddy Holly music and mutual friends in the industry.

Dec 21, 2012 - Vicky saw a Buddy Holly CD at Target that included The Picks singing on "Oh Boy" and "Maybe Baby" and included two songs written by Sonny West, "Oh Boy" and "Rave On".

Doug Sparks posted on Face Book the YouTube site for Buddy Holly and The Picks "Crying, Waiting, Hoping". Other songs can be seen on that sight on YouTube. Thank you Doug.

Family enjoyed seeing "The Rankin Brothers - Classic Christmas" DVD. The Rankin's perform in Branson where the family saw them in September of 2011. They perform a Buddy Holly music set in their show. The Rankin's and John Pickering performed at the Buddy Holly Center one September.

Dec 22, 2012 - The "Never Say No To Panda" cheese commercials with Buddy Holly and The Picks singing "True Love Ways" on Pick Records has a combined viewing of almost 30,000,000 views on YouTube.

Dec 24, 2012 - The Pickering family enjoyed Christmas Eve Services at the Richardson First Baptist Church followed by fellowship with extended family at Lisa and Craig's home.

To immediate family members, Vicky presented a special gift that she had worked on for 4 months during the year. Vicky cut 1,000 six inch squares from John Pickering's collection of Gregg Norman "The Shark" golf t-shirts and made 10 Memory Quilts and 10 pillows for the family. She gave a quilt, she named "John's Shirts", to each of the 3 children and their spouse and one to each of the 6 grandchildren and one for herself. The family members were happy to receive the quilts to help them remember seeing their Dad/Poppy wearing the shirts. Vicky gave a picture to each person of John wearing one of the shirts and a history of the making of the quilt.

Dec 25, 2012 - The Pickering family celebrated Christmas Day with dinner and festivities with 22 extended family members (from Fort Collins and Denver, CO; Waco, Richardson, Allen, Wiley, Dallas, Rowlett, and Houston, Texas; and North Carolina) at Paula and Terry's home in Flower Mound TX. It snowed all day, giving them a real "White Christmas".

Pick Records, Inc. and the Pickering Family wished everyone a Merry Christmas as they celebrated the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dec 26, 2012 - The Pickering family enjoyed seeing the movie, "Les Miserables". A beautiful musical score as well as acting.

Dec 30, 2012 - Enjoyed a nice email from Warren Milner in Australia with an inquiry as to the status of John's book which is being typed and a planned published date in 2013.

Dec 31, 2012 - Happy Birthday to the Pickering's youngest granddaughter, Jansen, on her 16th birthday. The family and friends celebrated with Jansen into the New Year.

An email received from Terry Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum:

"Y’all,

For the past 14 years, I have been blessed to be here at the Rock Hall and play some small role in preserving the music that not only changed my life, but also altered the course of the culture and the history of the world. On this my last day, I wanna thank everyone here at the Museum, our Board, friends from around the world, and any I may have not bundled into these groupings for their assistance and guidance.I am thrilled to turn over the reins to my successor, Greg Harris, who will no doubt take this institution to the next level. Please give him your undivided support as the Rock hall embarks on new directions and takes on new challenges.

In hoping that I will not lose touch with any of you, I am forwarding my new email address…….terrystewart444@gmail.com and my cell number…216.225-1213.

I look forward to hearing from each of you and wish you all the best in 2013.

Peace & Soul…….Rock & Roll,

Terry Stewart| President and Chief Executive Officer
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME + MUSEUM
Collection Auto Group Plaza
1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard | Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1022"

Pick Records and Vicky Pickering say, "Thanks to everyone for their visits to our web site in 2012."

At any time - If you are looking for gospel or secular music to perform and/or record, please contact Vicky Pickering at John Pickering Music Company % Pick Records, Inc. 281-498-5249. John had written many songs that are in his catalog.