Jan 9, 2010 – John visited with Ray Price at the Stafford Center after Ray’s 84th birthday (1-12-10) show and celebration. In 1970 the Pickering Brothers appeared on stage with Ray Price and band. Gave Ray picture of the Pickering Brothers in 1969 and a CD and web site home page and birthday greetings.
Jan 11, 2010 – Facebook contact with Gordon Payne, formerly with The Crickets.
Jan 11, 2010 – MySpace contact with Van Howard, Dallas, TX – singer from Clovis days of 1940s.
Jan 23, 2010 – John enjoyed a visit in his home with music fan of over 30 years, Gordie Maxon.
Feb 20, 2010 - Received the West Texas Music Hall of Fame 2006 Pioneer Award (Texas shaped) for Bill Pickering.
Mar 3, 2010 – Heard “Oh Boy” on Bill Bennett’s “Morning in America” live radio show about 6 a.m.
Mar 3, 2010 – Saw a Buddy Holly poster in a resale shop of the “The Buddy Holly Story” musical in Houston in 1992 with a name plate for Hard Rock Café.
Mar 5, 2010 – Buddy Holly historian, Bill Griggs, was hospitalized with cellulitis on his leg.
Mar 18-20, 2010 – Had a booth at the Austin Record Convention/South By Southwest Show. Smokey Robinson and Val Kilmer (reportedly a Holly music fan) came by the booths. Gary "Gee" David Bryan Ealey and his business partner, singer/songwriter named Scott with the group from Bristol, England called “Malachai” visited with us. They were Buddy Holly music fans. Larry Garland gave John a copy of the original sheet music for “Oh Boy”. Visited with Garry Shrum from Heritage Auction Galleries. He gave Pickerings a copy of the next auction catalog with Buddy Holly items. Elvis’ auction will be in Memphis this year.
Mar 24, 2010 – John was interviewed on Houston radio station KTRH as an “Alumni” to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the station being on the air. John’s family “The Pickering Family Quartet” had a daily music program on the station from 1948 to 1951. He segued into the Holly/Crickets/Picks recordings in Clovis in 1957.
Mar 26, 2010 – John had a dream that he visited with Buddy Holly. Buddy was looking for some songs. This is the first time John has dreamed about Buddy Holly in the 53 years since they did the recording for him.
Mar 29, 2010 – A friend called to say Michael Savage “Savage Nation” radio program was playing Buddy Holly songs. Pickerings heard “Oh Boy” when they tuned in.
Mar 29, 2010 – You Tube has a cute rendition of “Oh Boy” and “Everyday” on Doo Wop.
Apr 3, 2010 – Vicky celebrated her birthday with friends and family as a guest of friend Erv at the Chart House at Kemah on the Boardwalk. It has been rebuilt since Hurricane Ike.
Apr 5, 2010 – Received Alan Clark’s book “The Life and Times of Buddy Holly and the Crickets” with story and mentions of The Picks.
Apr 12, 2010 – The Daily Crossword in the Houston Chronicle has a question on Buddy Holly. On 25 across, 8 spaces for “1957 hit for Buddy Holly and the Crickets”. The answer was “Peggy Sue” but actually that was a Buddy Holly solo. The Crickets were the instrumentalists.
Apr 19, 2010 – Jay Richardson, Big Bopper Jr., had heart 4 by-pass surgery. Bill Griggs still hospitalized.
April 26, 2010 – Bryan Herrera “Buddy Holly “A Piece of the ‘American Pie’. A Guide to the Delmar Rogers Collection 1987-1994 “Student Papers” Box 4Za1. FA 350, “Music In Texas,”: Spring, 1987. “Student Papers” Box 4Zal.
May 7-8, 2010 – 55th Lubbock High School Reunion of the Class of ’55 in which Buddy Holly and other musicians and Vicky Pickering were grads.
May 11, 2010 – Sister and niece met Holly fans from North Dakota and Mississippi. Pickerings sent web site addresses to them.
May 18, 2010 – Mick Jagger on Larry King Live. Larry King asked Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones if he was influenced by other artists. Mick said that a couple of blues singers influenced him early on, especially on guitar including 12-string. When asked about American artists, he mentioned, among a few others, that Buddy Holly had influenced a lot of British artists including the Rolling Stones. He said that Buddy especially influenced him with songwriting – Simple easy-to-play songs with only a few chords. He said the Beatles were also influenced by Holly as evidenced by Paul McCartney buying Holly’s catalog.
May 19, 2010 – Holly music historian, Bill Griggs, still recovering from his illness.
May 19, 2010 – Pickerings mentioned in “Jim Rose Remembers Radio” site http://news.jimroseremembersradio.com/
May 21, 2010 – Interview with a writer and Sarada, daughter of Sherry Davis (of Sherry Davis “Humble Heart” and “Broken Promises” with The Picks backup vocals - 1957). A book is being written about Sherry Davis and John will share his memories of the recording session in 1957.
May 23, 2010 – John featured special guest at the Richard Quintana Spring Music and Memorabilia Show in Dallas.
June 1, 2010 – In movie, “Extraordinary Measures” the name “Peggy Sue” is mentioned.
In a meeting with John and Aileen Crowley when John Crowley asks Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) if it is OK to call him Bob) he answers, “If you’ve got me a check for half a million dollars you can call me Peggy Sue.”
June 3, 2010 – Sharon and Bill Griggs 6th wedding anniversary.
June 7, 2010 – “Buddy Holly” movie on TV. Wish Buddy’s voice had been used.
June 12, 2010 – Pickering’s grandson, Zachary, graduated from high school and is enrolled for college in Colorado.
June 13, 2010 -The Pickerings were sorry to hear that singer/songwriter Jimmy Dean had died. While John was restricted to the post at Fort Belvoir, VA in the Army’s “BOMOP” (basic officer military orientation program) in 1958 for 2 weeks, Vicky would watch the "Jimmy Dean" TV variety show out of Washington, D.C. while she stayed at the YWCA before renting an apartment when John got out of “BOMOP” and finished his 3 months there.
Jimmy's Dad wrote a song and brought it to the Pickering Family Quartet in Lubbock in about 1952 and asked them to sing it on the radio which they did. John said Mr. Dean was a very nice man and loved gospel music.
June 17, 2010 – Happy Birthday to Bill Griggs. Civic Lubbock announced that it will induct Bill Griggs into the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock at the Buddy Holly statue on July 30th.
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday that the late Buddy Holly, a Lubbock native, will receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lubbock Avalanche Journal.” Seen in the Houston Chronicle June 18, 2010.
July 21, 2010 – Sent packet of Holly/The Picks information to sister’s Dr. Lavery in Allen, TX.
June 30, 2010 – Buddy Plitt from Maryland called and visited with John. He also hears from Scot Dennin, Jerry Schutts and other fans and musicians including engineer/producer A.V. Mittlestedt.
July 3, 2010 - "It's So Easy" was performed by Garrison Keillor on the Prairie Home Company radio show.
July 4, 2010 – Visited with Holly/Crickets music collector John and wife, Georgia Bowyer at a local restaurant.
July 9, 2010 – Sent letter of congratulations to Bill Griggs for upcoming induction into the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock with pictures of the cruise with Bill and Sharon.
July 13, 2010 – Jeanie Flaherty called from California with news that husband Michael will be inducted into the Minnesota Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame September 16th. Congratulations Michael!
July 15, 2010 – Ordered Sandi Patty’s Christmas Live DVD/CD. John and Vicky and family saw the show she performed November 30, 2001 at the First Methodist Church of Richardson, TX in their new sanctuary. The show was re-created in June of 2009 and the DVD/CD released in October. The Pickering’s son-in-law’s mother, Nancy Robinson, is listed in the credits for the work she did through the church music department to assist in the filming as well as singing in the choir.
July 18, 2010 – Attended the First Methodist Church of Houston-Westchase, with friend Ada Palmer, for the “Hymn Sing!” directed by the former music director of Houston’s First Baptist Church, Gerald Ray. World-traveler, Scot Cameron was guest soloist. The audience was very moved by his rendition of “I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy”.
July 30, 2010 - Happy Birthday to Sonny West! Enjoyed a visit with him on the telephone.
July 30, 2010 - Bill Griggs inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock, TX at the Buddy Holly statue. After 30 years, his plaque was the last one presented before the statue and plaques are moved and will later be placed at the Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Park, near the Buddy Holly Center. Congratulations Bill! Pictures and story in the www.lubbockonline.com. John's comments included in the story and in a following William Kerns blog.
July 30, 2010 – Pat and Jim Schuman called from Lubbock where they were there to attend the induction of Bill Griggs. The Pickerings enjoy contacts with fans worldwide on Email, Facebook and My Space.
July 31, 2010 - Facebook clip from Ryan Vandergriff of Lubbock - "American Hot Wax" mention of Buddy Holly. Also one of "The Buddy Holly Story" movie with Gary Busey singing "Oh Boy" and instrumentalists pretending to sing the backup vocals like The Picks did on the records.
July 31, 2010 – Attended the Charley Pride Show at the Stafford Centre. His son, Dion, also performed and joined Charley in a duet. Saw Gerald Ray and golfer, Doug Sanders. John gave Charley a signed picture of The Pickering Brothers from 1969 when they appeared with Charley three times in Texas. They had the country version of “Proud Mary” on the charts at that time.
August 1, 2010 – The extended Pickering family has had a busy summer with trips to China, Canada, India, England and various states in the USA. Grandson Zachary will be leaving for University in Fort Collins, CO.
August 11, 2010 – Granddaughter Rylie returned from a 3 week church mission trip to England.
August 18, 2010 – ATT/BlackBerry commercial uses Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”. John and Vicky knew Buddy since the 1950s and their daughter is a computer software engineer for BlackBerry RIM out of Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow7SBaQTjlo
August 22, 2010 – Happy 80thbirthday to Houston radio DJ Paul Berlin who retired in 2004 after 54 years on the radio. In 2010, he returned to KSEV 700 AM on Saturday nights from 6 to 8 pm with his “Golden Oldies – Great Music” show. He has an infinite memory bank of personal anecdotes about musician and songs. http://www.ksevradio.com/saturday.asp
Article is in the Clovis (NM) News Journal “Music Source of Community Pride” about music found in the history of Clovis by Clyde Davis. Pickering’s notified him of the history of The Pickering Family singing there in the 1940s. http://www.cnjonline.com/articles/week-29777-community-getting.html
August 26, 2010 – Article by Bob Fischbach in Omaha World-Herald “Rave On: The Living Legends”. Sonny West (pictured) and Tommy Allsup appeared with Billy McGuigan (as Buddy Holly) at the Omaha Community Playhouse for 4 shows. http://www.omaha.com/article/20100826/LIVING/708269973
August 29, 2010 – Vicky and John and Lavoyda and Leonard enjoyed an anniversary dinner in Galveston for their 53rdand 52ndwedding anniversaries, respectively.
August 30, 2010 – Correspondence with Joe Spetch of McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, he is a collector and historian of Texas music and musicians. http://www.cnjonline.com/articles/week-29777-community-getting.html
August 30, 2010 - Correspondence with Molly Mayeux, producer of the movie “Alive and Well” starring Jon Heder. The Picks are looking forward to hearing their backup songs with Buddy Holly. http://www.indiegogo.com/Buddy-Holly-is-Alive-and-Well?i=pite Buddy Holly Is Alive And Well Motion Picture ( 2011 )“The enduring magic of the 1950s rock ’n’ roll icon Buddy Holly and the visual and emotional excitement of action/sci-fi/fantasy films will be the attractive mix of BUDDYHOLLY IS ALIVEANDWELL.Based on the popular book BUDDYHOLLY IS ALIVEANDWELL ON GANYMEDE by BRADLEYDENTON(http://www.bradleydenton.net), The film depicts the story of Oliver Vale, a common young man suddenly called to unexpected adventures when TV screens go blank across the world and the 1950s rock pioneer Buddy Holly is alive again, performing from Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter.”
September 7, 2010 – Walton & Johnson – The Radio Gawds show on 93.7 FM Houston acknowledged Buddy Holly’s 74thbirthday. http://www.waltonandjohnson.com/
September 12, 2010– The Gruen Transfer TV show in Australia showed the Egyptian Panda Ads, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A10iPA0jAy0, and corresponded with John
September, 2010 – The Houston Geological Bulletin magazine featured a story on Vicky Pickering in the “Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council (HPAC) News, edited by Winona LaBrant Smith, HGS Liaison. www.hgs.org
September 21, 2010 – The Picks voices were found on the Panda Cheese commercials that originated in Egypt and played in the Middle East countries and placed on the Internet which includes their version of “True Love Ways” (Pick Records) as Buddy Holly and The Picks. The commercial “Never Say No To Panda” won the Silver Lion Award at the 57thCannes Lion International Advertising Festival (the company’s first win in 56 years). Creative Director of Elephant Cairo, Ali Ali said, “There was a great round of applause when the ads were shown.” “A momentous year for Egyptian TV and a well deserved one when you consider that we have to work 10 times as much in Egypt to produce a half-decent ad.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X21mJh6j9i4&feature=player_embedded
Some of the ads on the Internet include the complete song by “Buddy Holly and The Picks”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzLmiMvVh-E There have been several million viewers on the Internet on all the sites.
September 22, 2010 – Screwattack.com and DJGrandPa listed and discussed their Top 10 Buddy Holly songs which included The Picks backup vocals on “Oh Boy” and “Maybe Baby”.http://screwattack.com/blogs/Rebel-Without-A-Blog/DJGrandPa-and-GameXmasteRs-Top-10-Buddy-Holly-Songs
September 24, 2010 – ABC news showed “Creepy Panda Becomes A Web Hit”. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/panda-cheese-ads-become-internet-hit-11712772
September 2010 – Gary Clevenger published his book of interviews with people who knew Buddy Holly before and after his success in the music industry. “Words of Love 1959 to 2009”. http://wordsoflove1959-2009.spaces.live.com/ [Note: Vicky and John received their autographed complimentary copy of Gary’s book on October 12, 2010. Thanks Gary, the book is great!]
October, 2010 – The Pickerings completed an extensive study and creation of a database of the paleontological data from over 700 oil or gas wells in the counties in the north half of the Texas Gulf Coast, nearby waters, and offshore Texas. This database is a companion to their PalCon Database of 3,000 wells in 22 counties along the south half of the Texas Gulf Coast. www.southtexaspaleo.com
October 6, 2010 – The Pickering’s visited the art studio of friend Ada Palmer’s son, John Ross Palmer in the Heights area of Houston. They had a private tour of the studio and John’s home in the restored and enlarged Cottage Craft home on Heights Boulevard. http://www.johnpalmerart.com/index.php.
The Pickering’s then drove by John Pickering’s high school, John H. Reagan High School and homes where he lived in the Heights on East 14thStreetin the late 1940s and 1950s when his family, The Pickering Family Quartet sang on KTRH radio studio on the top floor of the Rice Hotel in downtown Houston.
October, 2010 – John Pickering recorded liner notes for Giel Aarts in The Netherlands for his radio show. www.paulmateki.com/dj.htm; SUC6 Radio -Holland.
October 10, 2010 – 10:10 am/pm on 10-10-10.
October 11, 2010 - Article in "Welcome to Jim Rose Remembers Radio". http://news.jimroseremembersradio.com/
October 11, 2010 – John Pickering E-interview for article in Smalltok.com, “a global magazine about what REALLY MATTERS in just about any topic you might think of”. “The Picks - true legends of Rock (I)" Featured Posts for October 13. www.smalltok.com Thanks Celso.
October, 2010 – Read that the Beach Boys “Christmas Time is Here Again” was adapted after Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” and recorded in the 1970s and released in 1998.
October 2010 – Visit this web site “Catalog” page for ideas for Christmas Gifts for fans of the 1950’s to 2010 music. http://www.pickrecords.com/products.html
October 13, 2010 – Thanks to web master Paula for updating the web site.
October 14, 2010 - The Pickering's music lawyer, Al Staehely was interviewed along with his brother, John and friend Mark Andes on radio KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston.. The three are members of the music group "Spirit". www.KPFT.org . Al is also a well known songwriter. www.music-lawyer.com/
October 15, 2010 - Al Staehely & Friends, The Staehely Brothers, and Mark Andes, formerly of "Spirit" played at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar in Houston.
October 16, 2010 - Black Tie Affair at the John Palmer Art Studios in the Heights in Houston, TX. John Palmer's "Escapism 2010" show was preceded by his creation of an art work as the guests viewed it. Other works shown were by Kelley Devine, Ryan Fugate and Edgar Medina. www.JohnPalmerArt.com
October 21, 2010 - Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall of Fame + Museum(R) Trivia Challenge 2010 Daily Calendar question - Buddy Holly's last studio session took place in what state in 1958? California, New York, New Jersey? Answer: New York.
October 23, 2010 - On YouTube can be heard Buddy Holly & The Picks singing on videos of "Bo Diddley", "True Love Ways", "Well Alright", "Love is Strange", "Baby I Don't Care", as well as the 9 songs on "The Chirping Crickets" 1957 LP. John Pickering and The Picks can be heard on the tribute songs John wrote, "Buddy Holly Not Fade Away" and "Forever 22". The Picks sing with Gary Dale Tollett on "Honey, Honey".
The Picks are on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Picks/114114788598553.
October 24, 2010 - On NPR's Prairie Home Companion radio show Garrison Keiller introduced Joe Ely and mentioned that he had lived in Lubbock - the home of Buddy Holly. The show was from Lubbock the past week.
October 25, 2010 - Holly/Cricket/Picks music fan, Walt Reynolds of R.I. sent photos from the Bill Griggs' Buddy Holly Music Convention held in Lubbock in 1986. Photos included the late Niki Sullivan, Bill and Beth "Mom" Pickering. Also Gary and Ramona Tollett, Pat Boyles, Walt, 2 TV announcers and John and Vicky. 24 years ago and everyone really looked young! Thanks, Walt.
November 1, 2010 - Enjoyed a visit with Pat and Jim Schuman from Ohio. The 50s music fans are in town for the International Quilt Festival.
November 2, 2010 - Pickering's enjoyed a visit on the Internet with a friend they met at the Austin Record Convention in March. Gary "Gee" Ealey from England. Glad to make contact again. Watch for his new album coming out in February 2011. Check out "Snowflake" on My Space on Malachai. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDTrg3viaTM
November 4, 2010 - There were lots of mentions of Buddy Holly during the day. 1. Michael Berry, radio announcer on KTRH radio in Houston, TX mentioned Buddy Holly's glasses. 2. John and Vicky attended a dinner party where John was introduced as a singer on Buddy Holly/Crickets songs. He sang "Oh Boy" and "Maybe Baby". He was invited to return for the Christmas Party in December and present a musical program. 3. After the dinner, a game was played with question number 13 being "In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, 'the day the music died'. This was a tribute to ____." The Pickerings answered with the names of the three musicians as well as the name of the pilot and the date of the plane crash, thereby winning the contest! 4. On the TV show, "The Mentalist" a character said, speaking of another character, "he bought the propeller off the plane that Buddy Holly died in." (This was a fiction comment.) 5. During the show, the commercial for ATT/BlackBerry was on with Buddy Holly singing "Everyday". Several videos and comments from music fans were on the Pickering's Facebook during the day. 53 years and the music goes on...
November 8, 2010 - Buddy Holly and The Picks heard singing "Oh Boy" on web site: http://upchucky.com/JukeCity/1957/player.html .
November 10, 2010 - Second E-interview of John Pickering on Smalltok.com: http://www.smalltok.com/the-picks-true-legends-of-rock-ii
John was interviewed by Ken Buckner of Lubbock radio station KLLL-FM on the stations's 52nd anniversary celebration. The late Bill Pickering and Waylon Jennings were DJ's on KLLL-AM in Lubbock, TX about 1956. Buddy Holly brought in a copy of "Blue Days, Black Nights" and asked Bill to play it, which Bill did. It was the first radio play of the song. Bill and Waylon did remote live shows at businesses in Lubbock talking, singing and playing guitar. John and Bob Lapham were college students and worked part time a bank in the same building as the radio station and would frequently go visit Bill and Waylon.
November 11, 2010 - John and Giel Aarts, DJ from The Netherlands visited on the Facebook Chat Room. John and Celso of Smalltok Global Magazine visited by email. John and George M. Murphy of the stage show and musical production "The Chirping Crickets" visited by email.
November 12, 2010 - John and Chris Redmond visited by email. Chris plays Joe B. Mauldin in the show "Buddy - The Musical 2011". Dan Graham is the drummer, Glen Joseph and Roger Rowley share the title role. Best wishes for continued success in the show.
November 13, 2010 - John and Joe Pickering, Jr. www.kingoftheroadmusic.com visited by email. They say they are possibly distant cousins, at least they hope so.
November 15, 2010 - The Liverpool FC fans celebrate after Maxi Rodriguez scores winner 31/10/10 by chanting to the tune of "Heartbeat", the version by Buddy Holly and The Picks. The fans chant "Maxi, Maxi Rodriguez run down the wing for me. Da, da, da, da, da; da, da, da, da, da,...Maxi!" The Picks sing "Pa, pa, pa, oom pa; pa, pa, pa, oom pa..." The "pa's" sound like a heartbeat. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdnqHhm5kMI and several other YouTube locations. The Wigan Athletic's supporters sing "Victor, Oh Victor Moses, run down the wing for me...".
John was mentioned in the Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council's newsletter "HPAC Happenings" concerning his voice and The Picks on the award winning Panda Cheese commercials in Egypt and the Middle Eastern countries with Buddy Holly on "True Love Ways".
November 17, 2010 - You can view a video from Pakistan TV web site: http://www.pakistan.tv/videos-buddy-holly-the-picks--%5BE7qCihGcxEs%5D.cfm . There are several albums of Buddy Holly and The Picks on www.oldies.com/artist-view/Buddy-Holly-and-The-Picks.html.
November 20 & 21, 2010 - Prairie Home Companion radio show with Garrison Keillor originated from Houston Saturday night and was replayed on Sunday on National Public Radio. He introduced mezzo-soprano Susan Graham from Midland. He jokingly said that Midland was a suburb of Lubbock, and Lubbock was where Buddy Holly was from. Susan sang "True Love Ways". Garrison said, "Susan from Midland, Buddy from Lubbock." The show The
November 25, 2010 - Vicky and John enjoyed Thanksgiving Holiday in Spring, TX with their son and daughter-in-law. While there they watched the mockumentary 2007 movie "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story". Frankie Muniz played Buddy Holly in one scene. Buddy mentioned in another scene. Various other movies or TV shows including Buddy are "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: Stories of Stephen King - They Got a Hell of a Band." (2006) with Kristian Schmid. "Clone High U.S.A. - Plane Crazy Gate Expectations" (2002) Neil Flynn. "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll - The Alan Freed Story" (1999) - Joe W. Davis as Buddy. "Nothing Like a Royal Show" (1990) Paul Hipp as Buddy. "Quantum Leap - How the Tess Was Won - August 5, 1956" (1989) with Scott Fults as Buddy. "Screen Two: Words of Love" (1989) Pancho Russell as Buddy. "La Bamba (1987) with Marshall Crenshaw. "The Young One - 'Oil' " (1982) Ronnie Golden as Buddy.
Bon Voyage to Sharon and Bill Griggs who boarded a cruise ship for a month's travel through the Caribbean. We wish Bill continued recovery from his health problems. We will hear from them after Christmas.
November 27, 2010 - At the Texas Tech vs. University of Houston football game in Lubbock a segment was included showing points of interest in Lubbock. A picture of the Buddy Holly statue was shown. The actual statue is in storage to be refurbished and moved to a park near the Buddy Holly Center in the near future.
November 29, 2010 - The Panda Cheese commercials on YouTube with Buddy Holly and The Picks singing "True Love Ways" have over 8 million views.
November 30, 2010 - http://www.talkingstreet.com/The_Picks
December 1, 2010 - Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall of Fame + Museum(R) Trivia Challenge 2010 Daily Calendar question - "On December 1, 1957, what television show featured performances by two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, each making their debut on national television, Buddy Holly and Sam Cooke?" """""" Answer " Answer: The Ed Sullivan Show. Buddy and the Crickets (without the live backup vocalists) performed "That'll Be The Day" which was labeled on the record released as by "The Crickets"; and they performed "Peggy Sue" which was labeled on the record released as by "Buddy Holly" - which meant that the same performers were two different groups in name. The backup vocalists on the records made the distinction of who each group was. Sam Cooke sang "You Send Me" and "For Sentimental Reasons".
December 2, 2010 - Lubbock High Class of '55 in the Houston area met for Christmas lunch. Vicky took Gary Clevenger's new book "Words of Love 1959 - 2009" for class to see their comments and comments of friends who knew Buddy Holly and the Crickets. That evening John sang at the Christmas dinner party of Reagan High School Grads at Denis' Seafood.
December 3, 2010 - Vicky and John enjoyed celebrating birthdays of cousins Lavoyda and Leonard at Tejas Restaurant and shopping in Ann's Fine Gifts.
The Picks were honored to receive the news from Casey Monahan of the Texas Music Office, Governor's Office that Buddy Holly's "Not Face Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More" album ( including the nine songs on which they sing vocals with Buddy Holly) has been nominated for the 2011 53rd Grammy Awards. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences has nominated "Note Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More" as Best Historical Album. Their nine songs first appeared on "The Chirping Crickets" Brunswick 1957 LP. (John Pickering, Bob Lapham and the late Bill Pickering).
December 6, 2010 - Thanks to Sonny West for sending the web site for Charlene Condray Hancock and the announcement of her CD "Do You Remember?" which has The Picks singing backup vocals. http://www.akashicrecordings.net/supernaturalxmas2010.html and www.facebook.com/pages/365-Things-To-Do-In-Lubbock-Texas
December 10, 2010 - Jim Rose Rembers Radio included a mention of John being on the Grammy nominated album of Buddy Holly for Best Historical Album. See above. http://news.jimroseremembersradio.com .
December 16, 2010 - Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall of Fame + Museum (R) Trivia Challenge 2010 Daily Calendar question - "In 1971, Don McLean released his eight-minute-plus version of what single?" Answer: "American Pie". (With reference to "The day the music died".)
Thanks to the Buddy Holly Center of Lubbock for the Christmas Card signed by the staff.
December 18, 2010 - Bill and Sharon Griggs returned to Lubbock after a month's cruise in the Caribbean. It was a good trip for Bill as his health is improving and they were lucky in the casino with Texas Hold'um.
December 23, 2010 - A Christmas Card arrived with a picture of the late Bill Pickering's 2nd son, Michael and his wife Sue. They have relocated to live in Texas. Welcome back to Texas, Michael.
Congratulations to Glenna Bell - Houston based singer who was selected for the "Favorite Houston Albums of 2010" by Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle. Joey says, "Perfectly Legal: Songs of Sex, Love and Murder by Glenna Bell. The ominous title of Bell's CD effectively sums up these eight songs, recorded in 'four acts' throughout Texas and Pennsylvania. The mood is pensive and often chilling (The Southern Gothic Wedding Waltz is a stunner), but she makes room for humor, too, via The Cougar Anthem ('He's 19 years old and hot!'). Her spare vocals amplify the lyrics."
Thanks to all the many friends around the world for the cards, calls and emails celebrating Christmas.
December 25, 2010 - John, Vicky and The Picks wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your support of The Picks this past year.
December 26, 2010 - Our sympathy to Gordon Payne and his family in the death of his 52 year old brother, Lloyd, on Christmas Day. Lloyd died in his sleep.
December 28, 2010 - The Pickering's enjoyed a phone visit with Rita Box Peek, sister of the late rocker David Box. Then they enjoyed listening to some of David's records on the Internet. David was a superb singer and musician.
"Mean" Gene Kelton, 57, a veteran Houston blues guitartist and singer, was killed in a head-on collision with a Crosby Texas ISD bus Tuesdy night. He was scheduled to play a New Year's Eve Day Party in Crosby, TX. Gene had a role in the movie, "The Passage" due to be released in 2011. He his book "Gigs From Hell", a book chronicling his life on the road was released in 2009. The Pickering's had known Gene for several decades.
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