Jan 1, 2019 - Happy New Year!!
The Pickering's grandson, Zachary was awarded a 2nd year of a fellowship from the Department of Energy to study physics at the Los Alamos National Laboratories in Los Alamos, NM. Congratulations, Zachary!
Jan 3, 2019 - Vicky started the new year playing the piano for the Alief TX Chapter of AARP.
Jan 7, 2019 - The funeral service for Gary D.Tollett was held in Casa Grande, AZ, at his home church. The backup singer on "That'll Be The Day" and "Looking For Someone To Love" with Buddy Holly and the Crickets had died on December 26, 2018. Gary and John enjoyed many conversations on the telephone throughout the years remembering the fun days beginning in 1957 and music at the Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, NM. Condolences to wife, Ramona and family. Gary is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.
Jan 18, 2019 - On "Coast to Coast AM" radio program heard in Houston at 2:30 a.m. "Guest, author Gary W. Moore, discussed what happened 'the day the music died' and why many viewed the crash as suspicious. The fatal event, which occurred in February 1959 near Clear Lake, Iowa, not only killed the influential musician Holly, but Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and an inexperienced 21-year old pilot, working for the Dwyer Flying Service.
One of the long-standing rumors was that a handgun belonging to Holly had been fired aboard the flight, and was connected to why the single-engine plane went down. The weapon, Moore explained, was recovered by a farmer near the crash site when he was plowing his fields in the spring, and he impulsively fired off a shot to see if the gun worked. Once the weapon had been turned over to the Sheriff, it was recorded that the gun had been fired once but it wasn't noted that this had been done by the farmer, thus fueling speculation.
The woman who inspired Holly's song "Peggy Sue," Peggy Sue Gerron, said that Buddy had been threatened by the Mafia, who were trying to muscle their way into the music business. But rather than foul play, Moore concluded that it was the combination of deteriorating weather conditions and pilot error that caused the loss of control that led to the crash. One of the band members, Waylon Jennings, didn't get a seat on the plane (he gave his seat to the Big Bopper, who had the flu), and joked to Buddy "Well, I hope your plane crashes"-- a comment that haunted him for the rest of his life. The rock 'n' roll pioneer Valens reportedly "won" a coin toss with another band member, Tommy Allsup, to get a seat on the small craft. The Big Bopper's son, Moore recounted, believed the gun conspiracy theory, and had his father's body exhumed-- but they found no evidence of bullet wounds."
Gary W. Moore wrote Hey Buddy: In Pursuit of Buddy Holly, My New Buddy John, and My Lost Decade of Music.
Songs played during the show included, La Bamba, American Pie, Chantilly Lace and Peggy Sue. Vicky enjoyed commenting on Face Book with Gary and later Mike Anton. Vicky and John met Jerry Dwyer, (owner of the flying service in 1959), at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa in 2009.
Jan 23, 2019 - Remembering first Pickering daughter-in-law, Kathy. on the 4th anniversary of her death.
Jan 25, 2019 - Remembering Bill Pickering, 91, of The Picks on the anniversary of his death in 1985.
Discussions on social media and the Internet of Buddy, the plane crash and other facts, including one by the Clear Lake Mirror Reporter News.
"The 60th anniversary of the plane crash north of Clear Lake that killed rock and roll icon Buddy Holly and three others will be memorialized with a movie "Clear Lake" depicting Holly's 1958 music tour by Rick French and Patrick Shanahan." Article written by Clear Lake Mirror Reporter Staff.
Jan 27, 2019 - Article in Star Tribune, Pamela Huey about Buddy. Vicky emailed her and received a reply in which she asked to forward.
Article in Des Moines Register by Matthew Leimkuchler "Sorry, 'American Pie, ' but the music didn't died in Clear Lake. Just ask the fans." Vicky emailed Matthew.
Vicky posted the lyrics to John's 2 Holly tribute songs on Face Book, "Buddy Holly Not Fade Away" and "Forever 22".
Jan 29, 2019 - Feb 2, 2019 - https://winterdanceparty.surfballroom.com. Surf Ballroom schedule for 2019 with over 2,000 fans in attendance in the -30* and -40* winter storms.
Jan 29, 2019 - Pickering's friend. John Bowyer, Holly/Crickets music fan called to say he and wife, Georgia were flying to Iowa to attend the 60th Anniversary of the plane crash, their first trip. Terrible weather conditions in Iowa and northern states.
Feb 2, 2019 - First anniversary of the death of Dottie West, wife of singer, songwriter Joe Sonny West ("Oh Boy!", "Rave On")
Feb 3, 2019 - Remembering the 60th anniversary of the plane crash that killed singers, Buddy, Bopper, Valens, and pilot Peterson.
Feb 4, 2019 - Remembering the birth date of Bob Lapham of The Picks who died 4-4-2018.
Feb 7, 2019 - Vicky plays romantic songs for the "Valentine's Day" luncheon for Alief AARP Chapter including "True Love Ways" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" - song's recorded by John Pickering as well as "Buddy Holly Not Fade Away" and "Forever 22", the 2 Holly tribute songs John wrote.
Anniversary of the death of Joe B. Mauldin of the Crickets in 2015. Anniversary of Buddy's funeral 1959.
Feb 7, 2010 - On Decades TV Channel show "Through The Decades Profile" was Don McLean who mentioned Buddy Holly and song "Peggy Sue" from song "American Pie".
Feb 27, 2019 - Happy Birthday to Pickering's daughter, Paula.
Feb 28, 2019 - 8th Anniversary of the death of John Pickering.
Mar 7, 2019 - Happy Birthday to Pickering's son-in-law, Terry.
Mar 8, 2019 - Remembering John Pickering on his birth date
Mar 9, 2019 - Happy Birthday to Pickering's daughter, Lisa..
Mar 11, 2019 - Mary L. Lapham, widow of Bob Lapham of The Picks died in Abilene, TX.
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