Events of 2018

Jan 1, 2018 - Pickering's grandson, Zachary, began doing research through a fellowship he was awarded to continue his study in physics at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

Jan 12, 2018 - Linda Ronstadt heard singing "It's So Easy" on Country Legends Radio, Houston.

Jan 14, 2018 - Buddy Holly mention in Patrick Taylor's 2017 book "An Irish Country Practice" "Nor was the look of compassion in the eyes of the man's wife lost on O'Reilly. As he closed the door behind him, words from an old Buddy Holly song ran in O'Reilly's head. "Love is strange." Chapter 32 "Justice Is Truth in Action", page 272.

Jan 23, 2018 - Remembering Pickering's late daughter-in-law, Kathy Landers Pickering. b.7-25-1957 /d.1-23-2015.

Jan 23, 2018 - Bob Lapham of The Picks son: John Mark Lapham on Facebook:: "I've started a new project with these 3 fellas, we call it MIEN. Our band features Alex from The Black Angels, Tom from The Horrors, Rishi from Elephant Stone and myself. We'll be making a racket about it for a good few months now so apologies in advance... www.mienband.com ".

Jan 31, 2018 to Feb 3, 2018 - Surf Ballroom 2018 Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake, Iowa. To commemorate the plane crash of Buddy and fellow musicians 59 years ago.

Feb 1, 2018 - Thanks for Kay Hall who gave Vicky a Houston Chronicle article from 9-7-2011 by Andrew Dansby. "Happy 75th Birthday Buddy Holly Will Not Fade Away".

Feb 1, 2018 - On the piano, Vicky played love songs, and Buddy Holly songs for the Alief Chapter luncheon of AARP as well as the patriotic music in the program.

Feb 2, 2018 - Very sad to report that Dorothy "Dottie" West, wife of Sonny West, died in Abilene, TX after a long illness. She was a lovely friend of The Picks and a great supporter of her husband, songwriter/singer Sonny who wrote "Oh Boy" and "Rave On" - 2 of Buddy Holly/Crickets songs, plus many more classic rock songs from the 50s. Dottie, who had a nursing career of over 40 years, will be missed very much. Funeral Services will be at the Abilene Funeral Home Tuesday, February 6th.

Feb 3, 2018 - The 59th anniversary of the death of Buddy, Ritchie, Bopper, and Roger. Fans gathered in Clear Lake, Iowa at the site of the plane crash, as well as in Lubbock, TX to remember Buddy and the stars.

Feb 3, 2018 - In Houston Chronicle "Looking Back: "1959 - Rock 'n' roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa."

Feb 3, 2018 - Curtis Peoples on "Music Crossroads of Texas" played Buddy Holly's music and talked about the artist on the KTTZ radio station available online. Vicky enjoyed hearing "Oh Boy" and "Maybe Baby" by The Picks. Vicky messaged with Curtis after the show and had a reply back from him.

Feb 4, 2018 - Happy 83rd Birthday to Bob Lapham, author, and singer with The Picks trio on the "The Chirping Crickets" 1957 LP and later overdubs of Holly solos making them Crickets songs. [See 4-4-2018].

Feb 4, 2018 - 12:01 a.m.on Coast-to-Coast A.M. with Richard Sryett from Canada, Gary W. Moore was interviewed for an hour. They discussed Buddy Holly's life and death and Moore's book "Hey Buddy: In Pursuit of Buddy Holly, My New Buddy John, and My Lost Decade of Music.". Vicky messaged Gary that she heard the show and he sent back a thank you.

Feb 4, 2018 - 1:05 a.m. on radio station KTRH AM in Houston on the news was a mention that Buddy Holly died 2-3-1959.

Feb 4, 2018 - Vicky sent Curtis Peoples of Texas Tech Archives a listing of songs on which the Tollett's,The Picks and the Roses sang on Buddy Holly solos, making them Cricket songs in 1957-1958. The Picks later overdubbed many more.

Feb 4, 2018 - Vicky's sister, Marilyn of Lubbock, was watching an episode of "Puppy Bowl" this morning. It is an episode naming and showing the 10 most unusual animal commercials, world-wide. Number Six was the Panda commercial with "True Love Ways" by Buddy Holly and The Picks, playing in the background. Look at Animal Planet Channel under Season 14 of "Puppy Bowl." Look at the 30 minute mark of the show.

Feb 6, 2018 - Funeral Services for Dorothy "Dottie" West, (Mrs. Sonny West) at the Abilene (TX) Funeral Home. Bob Lapham of The Picks was in attendance.

Feb 6. 2018 - Vicky's niece, Rhonda, a teacher commented "I introduced my students to Buddy Holly and The Picks yesterday in Social Studies. We are studying Lubbock’s culture! They absolutely LOVED it and asked again today to hear 'Oh Boy!' I may have teared up a bit!"

Feb 10, 2018 - Vicky met a lady at a Valentine Church Widow's luncheon today who was born in Puerto Rico. Said she loved Buddy Holly and his music especially since he married Maria Elena from Puerto Rico.

On the program was an Elvis impersonator, Danny Warner. Vicky told him she saw Elvis in about 1955 in Lubbock standing about 5' from her and John. Also that John sang on the Buddy songs.

Feb 12, 2018 - Pat and Jim Schuman from Ohio visited Vicky in Houston. Jim had pictures from the recent Surf Ballroom 2018 Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake, Iowa January 31st - February 3rd remembering the plane crash that killed Buddy and fellow musicians. A lot of talk about the Holly/Crickets music through the years. Jim showed Vicky his pictures of the Winter Dance Party. Vicky showed them her pictures of Great Britain and places Buddy Holly and the Crickets had played in England.

Feb 12, 2018 - Dorothy "Dottie" West, the late wife of singer songwriter Sonny West, was buried in Chillicothe, Texas.

Feb. 13, 2018 - Pat and Jim Schuman and Vicky met her 5 friends at Denny's for Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Conversation included music, travel, the Schuman Quilt Show experiences as well and the 'cold' weather in Houston and Ohio and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea where friend Jim White served in the Korean War. The Schuman's drove to Galveston to board a cruise ship on Wednesday for Mexico.

Feb 13, 2018 - Vicky's niece, Rhonda, said in her 2nd grade classroom today the students requested a Buddy song be played again today. One boy LOVES "True Love Ways" ! They didn't care for "Peggy Sue" because "We can't hear your uncle!". ["True Love Ways" by Buddy Holly and The Picks.] She said they are so cute! They said, "We love black and white music!" (Had a picture of Buddy on the screen).

Feb 13, 2018 - Vicky joined the Facebook page of Heights High School Friends which includes Jim and Kathleen White. Heights was named John H. Reagan High School in Houston when the late John Pickering was a classmate and graduate of the Class of '51.

Feb 16, 2018 - Vicky was hostess for John's Reagan High School Class of '51 in Houston for their bi-monthly luncheon. They all remember when John sang at the school functions. Luncheon was at the Carriage House Cafe and discussion were about the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Feb 19, 2018 - Text from my sister Marilyn 2-19-2018: From Icepop.com. “These people are the inspirations behind some of the most beautiful songs every written.” By Danielle Propheta 1-4-2018. Entertainment January 3, 2018.

#3. Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly (1957). “Buddy Holly took the meaning of ‘buddy’ very seriously. He helped out his drummer friend Jerry Allison and named his new hit song ‘Peggy Sue’ after Peggy Sue Gerron, the woman Allison was swooning over at the time. It also ended up securing Holly one of the biggest rock and roll hits of all time.

[ Note: Norman Petty played Peggy Sue and Oh Boy for The Picks July 12, 1957 and asked which song they would like to put backup vocals on Holly's solo recording. They said they thought Peggy Sue was OK like it was and they would like to try adding some harmonies to Oh Boy, which they did that night, thus making it a Crickets song released on Brunswick. The rest is rock 'n' roll history. Vicky.]

Feb 19, 2018 - Jim and Pat Schuman called Vicky from Galveston where they had disembarked from a cruise ship to Cozumel, Mexico and Progresso, Yucatan. They were driving back to their home in Ohio.

Feb 22, 2018 - Vicky's Lubbock HS Class of '55 met for bi-monthly luncheon at the Carriage House Cafe. The Trail Riders for the HLSR will be passing on their way to spend a night in Memorial Park before the parade in downtown Houston on the 24th for the rodeo.

Feb 27-2018 - Vicky saw Buddy Holly & the Crickets sing "Peggy Sue" on a re-run of The Ed Sullivan Show in 1957 on TV.

Mar 8, 2018 - Remembering John Pickering on his birth date, 3-8-1933. Happy 85th Birthday in Heaven.

Mar 8, 2018 - Daughter Paula said she heard a comment on a Dallas radio program of a list of 100 musicians from Texas and Buddy Holly was #2 on the list. Willie was #1. The d.j. played Buddy's "That'll Be The Day". Way to go, Buddy, and Gary and Ramona Tollett.

Mar 9, 2018 - The 100 Greatest Texas Musicians: Countdown 77 to 1. The Picks and/or Pickering's knew 15 of the musicians in the top 77 and 5 of those were in the top 13 and 4 in the top 4.

#13 Waylon Jennings - John and Bill Pickering knew Waylon from Lubbock. Bill and Waylon were buddies at KLLL radio.
#4 Kris Kristofferson - John and Vicky met Kris at an Austin City Limits filming. of a Crickets Tribute. Kris told John he learned to sing harmony by listening to The Picks' 9 songs on "The Chirping Crickets" '57 LP.
#3 Roy Orbison - The Picks met Roy and his wife at the Petty Recording Studio in Clovis, NM, in 1957. The Picks put backup vocals on the Crickets "You've Got Love", and "An Empty Cup (And A Broken Date)" recordings of songs written by Roy.
#2.Buddy Holly - Vicky was in Lubbock HS with Buddy and the musicians, class of '55. The Picks sang on "The Chirping Crickets" LP.
#1 Willie Nelson - The Pickering Brothers, John and Bill, performed on a show when Willie was in Houston in 1969 when they had released "Proud Mary" in country music.

In addition to the above 5, here are 10 more. #77 Jimmy Dean - The Pickering Family Singers knew the Jimmy Dean family from Plainview, TX. #76 - Dale Evans - The Pickering Family met Dale Evans (and Roy Rogers) at KTRH radio where they had performed their daily show. #75 Tex Ritter - Vicky, John and Bill Pickering met Tex Ritter at the CMA Board Meeting at the home of songwriter Ted Daffan (Born To Lose) in Houston in the early 70s, and Vicky and John met Tex in Nashville and had dinner with him and his sister and her husband from Houston at Tex's restaurant. #61 - Charley Pride - The Pickering Brothers sang on stage at Charley Pride shows in Corpus Christ and the Houston area in the early 1970s when they had "Proud Mary" on the charts. #47 ZZ Top - Vicky was in a Bible Study with the mother of a member of the group. #45 Roger Miller - Vicky's uncle, Eldon Hendrix of Erick, OK, played in a high school band with Roger and Roger was a friend of their family. His brother-in-law was Sheb Wooley whom Vicky and John met in Nashville. #38. Kinky Friedman - Vicky and John met Kinky at a book-signing in Lubbock along with William Kerns of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. #37 Delbert McClinton - Vicky and John met Delbert in Lubbock at his induction in the Walk of Fame. #35 Mickey Gilley - John and Bill Pickering sang on Mickey's TV show in Houston and other venues in town. #28 Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel - Vicky and John met at an Austin City Limits filming on a Crickets Tribute. Thanks for the memories

Mar 10, 2018 - Lisa Pickering Rees mentioned "That'll Be The Day" heard on TV show "This Is Us" episode 23, January 2018.

Mar 25, 2018 - Vicky played piano at a Bible Study Department Assembly at her church.

Apr 3, 2018 - Friend Diane at Vicky's breakfast club said her husband enjoyed learning what John and The Picks had done in their music careers.

Apr 4, 2018 - Bob Lapham of The Picks died in Abilene, Texas. [See 2-4-2018]. Postings on Facebook.

Lisa Pickering Rees and husband, Craig, soon after receiving the news of Bob's death, heard his voice with The Picks trio singing on a Buddy Holly/Crickets song in a Wendy's restaurant in the Dallas area. The Picks are singing together again.

Apr 5, 2018 - Vicky played piano at the Alief Chapter of AARP and played "Oh Boy" and "Maybe Baby" in honor of the late Bob Lapham and John and Bill Pickering.

Apr 5, 2018 - The birthday of the late Bill Pickering born on 4-5-1927, 91 years ago.

Apr 6, 2018 - Congratulations to John Mark Lapham, son of the late Bob Lapham. "Happy to say that after what seems like an eternity, our MIEN album finally surfaces today [4-6-18] thanks to Rocket Recordings . Featuring Alex Maas from The Black Angels, Tom Furse from The Horrors, Rishi from Elephant Stone and myself. There are a couple of different colored vinyl variations kicking around if you’re into that sort of thing. I believe the one we’re selling off mienband.com is orange and really quite beautiful. Thanks to Marc Spicer and Rosey Trickettt for their lovely designs! http://smarturl.it/MIEN

Apr 6, 2018 - Bob Lapham's Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/bob-lapha"m-obituary?pid=188662123 . Bob Lapham, 83, the last surviving member of the 1950s pop and rock 'n' roll vocal group The Picks, died on April 4, 2018. A memorial service and interment will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018, at First Central Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Clifford Stewart and Dr. Janice Six officiating.

Apr 7, 2018 - William Kerns of the Lubbock A-J reported on Facebook that "the Lubbock Mayor and City Council labeled today - Saturday, April 7 - Bob Lapham Day in Lubbock." Many thanks to Lubbock.

Apr 8, 2018 - LHS Class of '55 classmate of Buddy Holly and musicians, Shirley Gist, told Vicky that her son in Mountain Home, Arkansas just texted her that he and his wife were attending a performance of "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" by a touring Broadway Group. He says they're very good. She texted how much fun we had at the performance by the Cypress Woods HS kids. I can't imagine the pros could be any better! The enthusiasm of the kids portraying those 'kids' was fantastic! [The Cypress Woods kids won state honors for the musical. See September and October, 2017.]

Apr 11, 2018 - My niece, an elementary school teacher, said one of her young students came in to class and said, “You know what, Ms. Brown, we went to a restaurant in Lubbock and guess who was on the wall? I went over there and said, oh, look, it’s Buddy Holly.” My niece said he wouldn’t have known this if she had not taught him about Buddy Holly [and that her uncle sang on the records]. It wouldn’t have mattered at all to him who was on the wall. He said “I walked over and touched it and said, yeah, I know that guy, that’s Buddy Holly. Ms. Brown taught me all about Buddy Holly.” The class still likes to hear Buddy Holly & The Picks songs.

Apr 16, 2018 - Vicky and Colin Davies corresponded about both having lived in London, England and Washington, D.C. Colin was preparing an obituary for Bob Lapham and Vicky assisted in some memories. Vicky told Colin that when John was at Fort Hood, Texas, Elvis and Buddy Knox were also there in the summer of 1958.

Apr 20, 2018 - Vicky heard Buddy Holly singing "Mailman Bring Me No More Blues" on TV show "Hawaii Five-O".

Apr 21, 2018 - Robert H. Orbach on 'Buddy Holly' Facebook page had a picture of Buddy Holly painted by artist Roberto Parada. Vicky had corresponded with Mr. Parada in October of 2013 when she first saw the excellent picture of Buddy. Mr. Parada emailed her back. She again emailed him to say that his picture was again being enjoyed by fans on Facebook. Roberto Parada 'Buddy Holly Legends, Icons and Rebels'. Vicky sent the information to the web page 'Buddy Holly'.

May 14, 2018 - Pickering's grandson Landon and bride, Rebecca from New Zealand, had a beautiful Hawaiian Wedding on the island of Kauai, HI on May 14th.Vicky and family and friends from the USA and New Zealand were in attendance. The wedding was on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Landon owns a guitar made by Sonny West and enjoys playing it.

May 24, 2018 - Happy Anniversary to Pickering's daughter, Paula and spouse, Terry.

May 31, 2018 - Fifties music fan, Jerry Schutts called Vicky and gave her a report of the February activities at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. The 60th anniversary of the 3 stars deaths will be in 2019. Jerry also told Vicky that "Buddy Holly: Rave On" will be on PBS stations on Sunday, June 3rd. Check your local listing for date and time in your area.

Jun 16, 2018 - Music fan and friend, Jim Schuman called Vicky inquiring about Gary Tollett. She told him about Gary's health problems and where he was in rehab. Wife, Pat and daughter and granddaughter were on a 3-week trip to Europe. She was Facebooking with Vicky.

Jun 24, 2018 - Houston Chronicle article about Lubbock area. In Escapes "In the Texas High Plains, wineries - and tourism - are budding on the vine. Cotton, Cattle and Cabernet." Pictures, 1. A vineyard near Levelland exemplifies the Mediterranean-like climate of Texas' High Plains. 2. McPherson Cellars is part of urban Lubbock's landscape. 3.The Buddy Holly Center pays homage to Lubbock's most famous native son. 4. McPherson Cellars sits between the old Cotton Exchange Building and the Buddy Holly Center. "We have seen a big uptick in visitors," Kim McPherson says. Picture 5. Llano Estacado Winery is the largest in the state. If you go - Where to stay - The Pioneer Pocket Hotel: A 1920s Hotel Lubbock building, within walking distance of the Buddy Holly Center, McPherson Cellars and the Cactus Theater. Rates from $138 per night; pioneerpockethotel,com More information: visitlubbock.org. The article is a full page by Jennifer Simonson who is based in Austin. Email: travel@chron.com

Jun 28, 2018 - The Houston LHS Class of '55 had lunch at the Chavez Mexican Cafe and enjoyed a lot of talk about school in the 50s and about their musician friends. Pictures were taken and placed on Face Book. Guest was Houston D.J. and radio personality, Andy Waldrop who is a fan of the 50s music.

Lisa Pickering Rees and Paula Pickering Robinson attended the "Donny & Marie" show in Grand Prairie, TX. They got pictures and Paula touched Donnie as he walked down the aisle by her seat on the 3rd row. They first met them in 1971 at the Houston airport at a private meeting and got autographs; then saw them a couple of years ago at an Oklahoma casino; and on this date in Grand Prairie, TX.

July 12, 2018 - The 61st anniversary of The Picks recording "Oh Boy" over a Buddy Holly solo making the song a "Crickets" song.

Vicky's friend Amber told her of a performance in Livingston, TX September 22, 2018 of "Not Fade Away: The Ultimate Buddy Holly Experience" with Jared Mancusco starring as Buddy. Vicky corresponded with Jared.

July 16, 2018 - Vicky saw "The Will" a TV show on Reelz Channel Comcast 102. Tonight was "Family Secrets Revealed - Richie Valens' Will". A dispute involving the will of Richie Valens is spot lighted. (2017). John and Vicky met several of the people in the show including Connie, Irma, Bob and Mario Valenzuela siblings.Met last at the Surf Ballroom 50th Anniversary of the plane crash. Author Larry Lehmer was interviewed on the TV show. Larry visited in our home in Houston when he was writing his book "The Day The Music Died" about Buddy Holly. We appreciated his including John's interview in his book. The Valenzuela family had many conflicts with manager Bob Keane for decades over payment and royalties. Thanks to friend Amber Reed, wife of LHS class of '55 grad, the late Bobby Hughey for the notice of the show.

Aug 2, 2018 - Vicky enjoyed playing piano at the luncheon for the Alief Chapter of AARP today. She selected songs from the "Best of Buddy Holly" (c) 1977 songbook. Six of the songs were ones on which The Picks trio sang backup vocals on the 1957 recordings.

Aug 10, 2018 - Vicky emailed Joe Holley of the Chronicle saying she had missed his “Native Texan” column last Saturday.

Here is his reply: Hi Vicky, I was visiting my daughter and family in the little town of Ely, England, where the community center this evening features Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly impersonators. My grandkids were mystified. “Native” should be in the paper this weekend. Joe.

(Note: Aug 13, 2018: Vicky sent Joe: "45-years ago, August of 1973, “American Graffiti” movie was released. John Pickering and his trio, The Picks, are heard singing “Maybe Baby” with Buddy Holly in the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC5ORTK-fKg ".

(Note:"I [Joe] sent the recording to granddaughter Elsa in England, since she had never heard of Buddy Holly. Thanks for the note, Joe.")

Aug 10, 2018 - In an article in the Houston Chronicle, Preview Houston section, is the cover story, "The 50 Greatest Texas Musicians". #4 is Buddy Holly (The Picks did backup work for Buddy.) #1 is Willie Nelson. The Pickering Brothers, John and Bill, opened for Willie in Houston in 1970 when they had a recording of "Proud Mary" playing on radio at the time. Beyonce is #2 and she attended school in the Alief ISD in which the Pickerings live. #21 is the Dixie Chicks - Vicky has family in Lubbock who lived near and were friends with the Maines. The Pickering family knew the first generation of singing Maines family. #23 is Roy Orbison. John and Bill met Roy and Claudette in Clovis at the Petty Recording Studio in 1957. The Picks recorded backup vocals on songs Roy had written and Buddy recorded. Roy and Claudette had ridden from Odessa, TX to Clovis on Roy's motorcycle. Story by Andrew Dansby, Joey Guerra, Cary Darling, Syd Kearney, Chris Gray and Robert Morast.

Aug 14, 2018 - Houston's John H. Reagan HS Class of '51 Dollar Club (John's class) had 25 for lunch in Jersey Village at Backyard Grill today. Lots of reminiscing about the good ole days in the early 50's. A member brought several of the photo albums that have been saved through the years of activities in which the Dollar Club has participated. Vicky enjoyed seeing pictures of John, some when he was singing at reunions. Great memories.

Aug 27, 2018 - William "Bill" Frank Sandy, Lubbock HS, Class of '55 died in Houston. He will be greatly missed by the Houston LHS '55 lunch bunch classmates and friends. Rest in peace, Rise in glory. [Note: See September 22.]

Aug 30. 2018 - The LHS Class of '55 met at Valley Ranch Grill & Barbeque for lunch hosted by Shirley Gist.

Aug 31, 2018 - Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary to Vicky's cousins, Lavoyda and Leonard Williams. John sang at their wedding in Farwell, TX in 1958.

Sep 1, 2018 - Vicky attended the 60th Wedding Anniversary Reception of the Williams in their home in Houston, Texas.

Vicky and Buddy Holly's LHS Classmate '55 Carma Jean Spuhler mentioned on Facebook: "Just watched Pastor Kerry Shook from The Woodlands Church. He mentioned Buddy Holly, and “ the day the music died”. He really gets his messages across to you ! Buddy was a neighbor of my family and also in my high school classes. Karl and I both graduated in 55 . Buddy lived on fifth street and we lived on sixth. He came to my house some and played his guitar with Bobby Montgomery ! " The sermon was from a series of Classic Rock (1) "The Day The Music Died". and (2) "Stairway To Heaven".

Sep 6, 2018 - Vicky played piano for the Alief Chapter of AARP. Longtime friend, Buddy Griffith, lead the Eagle's Trace Strummers in a variety of songs. Buddy taught Paula Pickering guitar 40 years ago and lead a trip to Great Britain where her church group performed and played guitars and sang Texas/American themed songs in Texas/western costumes.

Sep 7, 2018 - Buddy Holly's 82nd birthday. Vicky was invited to attend the "Buddy's Birthday Bash" in Lubbock at the Buddy Holly Center. She met Buddy at Lubbock HS in their sophomore year, 1953 and they graduated in 1955.

Sep 9, 2018 - Andy Waldrop's "Solid Gold Sunday" KSHN radio show was dedicated to Buddy Holly and music played in honor of Buddy's 82nd birthday on 9-7-2018. The 3-hour show was streamed online on www.KSHN.com. He played some songs on which The Picks were doing the backup vocals including the song written by Sonny West, "Oh, Boy!". Thirty-one Holly songs were on the show with other classic songs from the 50s played between Buddy songs. Another Sonny West written song was included, "Rave On".

The "Country Legends 97.1" KTHT-FM in Houston often plays cover songs of Holly records as well as some Buddy songs.

Sep 10, 2018 - Manuel Villuendas sent Vicky a picture of The Picks, 1957 in the Petty 7th Street Recording Studio with Vi Petty on piano; George Atwood on bass; Bo on drums; and singer Ramona Locke who was there to record using The Picks for backup vocals.

Sep 22, 2018 - William "Bill" Frank Sandy, LHS Class of '55 memorial service was held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Houston at 11 a.m. [Note: See August 27th.] Members of the Houston LHS Class of '55 and friends attended the service.

Sep 24, 2018 - On "Dancing With The Stars" Buddy Holly was mentioned that Ryan looked like Buddy with his glasses.

Sep 25, 2018 - On "Live With Kelly and Ryan" Kelly mentioned the DWTS show and showed a re-play of the scene.

Nov 1, 2018 - Happy Anniversary to Pickering's daughter Lisa and spouse, Craig.

Nov 1, 2018 - Vicky went to AARP Alief Chapter and played piano for 30 minutes while the crowd gathered, then during the meeting for the National Anthem, Texas, Our Texas, Happy Birthday/Anniversary, and God Bless America. She enjoys playing for the meetings each month.

Dec 5, 2018 - LHS '55 grads enjoyed a Christmas Luncheon at Steamboat House restaurant hosted by Amber and Carole.

Dec 6, 2018 - Vicky presented a program of Christmas Carols Sing-A-Long at AARP Luncheon.

Dec 8, 2018 - John V. Pickering and Rayena Kusch were married in a beautiful country wedding in the woods of Montgomery County, Texas. Many friends and family attended including John's sisters, spouses, nephew and friend along with Rayena's mother, brother and family. A table displayed pictures of the deceased fathers of John and Rayena. During the son/mother dance, John had selected a song written and sung by his late father, John W. Pickering "From My Heart To You".

Dec 26, 2018 - Gary D. Tollett, backup singer for Buddy Holly & The Crickets on "That'll Be The Day" with his wife, Ramona, died in Casa Grande, AZ at age 86. Gary also recorded as a soloist.

Dec 31, 2018 - Happy 22nd Birthday to the Pickering's granddaughter, Jansen.