After living in Clovis for 2 years, I have to say that I have never been to the annual Clovis Music Festival. I was given tickets through my employer, who is one of the sponsors for the event. This means that I got some swank seats at the front of the stage!
Clovis, NM likes to call itself the ‘The Biggest Little Music City in the World” because it’s home to the Norman Petty Studios and the Norman & Vi Petty Rock and Roll Museum. The Norman Petty Studios are pretty significant because an enormous amount of pioneering Rock n’ Roll music was recorded and produced within its walls. This studio would be known to produce the distinctive ‘Clovis Sound’.
I don’t normally listen to 1950’s Rock n’ Roll. As a matter of fact, I would have to say that my music tastes before this festival almost exclusively lacked any 1950’s flavor. However, after this festival, it’s become clear to me that this era in music production was one of the most important of all, and have promptly picked up some tunes from Amazon which I’ll share later in the post.
Just some of the musicians who became successful through the Norman Petty Studios are Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Bowen and many others. I remember my first favorite song from this era was ‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Buddy Holly, and that’s because in 4th grade I had to learn the lyrics! (Not too hard.)
So on to the show…first act of the night was Kevin Montgomery who can be found on Twitter as @kevinmontgomery and through his website HERE. He sang with Johnny Rogers, who is a Buddy Holly impersonator and whose website you can find HERE.
Here is a video I recorded of Johnny and Kevin singing Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson:
Next on the Saturday lineup were The Nelson Brothers and the Stone Canyon Band. The brothers, Matthew and Gunnar, are twin sons of 1950’s Rock n’ Roll legend Rick Nelson. If any of the readership likes vintage TV, then you would also know that Ricky is son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, and so there are three generations of hit makers.
David and I had the nagging feeling that we had seen Gunnar before, but where? Celebrity Fit Club 3! Admittedly, we weren’t avid watchers of the show, but apparently his face was memorable!
Here is a video I took of The Nelsons singing their 1991 hit song ‘(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection:
The Nelsons’ tribute to their father was very touching and informative. I had never seen Ricky Nelson before, but when we saw his photo up on the big screens, I couldn’t help but think that Chris Evans is surely Ricky Nelson’s doppelganger! Don’t you agree?
So the night was very awesome, David and I were very grateful to have ended up at a show we would have otherwise passed on. Makes me think about what else we’re missing!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I dig this writeup and video piece. Forces beyond my control did not allow me to attend this year, despite having 2 tickets to each night. Better luck next year.
I would like to see more of an alternative music festival develop that focuses on other up and coming local talents from different genres. Any thoughts?
This may never be seen since this is 2011. I was at all 3 nights of the shows that are mentioned in the article. I want to correct a statement: Rock Around The Clock was by Bill Haley and the Comets. Also, how can you mention Jimmy Bowen without a mention of Buddy Knox. They were both members of the Rhythm Orchids. Buddy had the first number one/million seller from the Petty Studio.
The Nelson twins were extremely good and I was most impressed with their taking time after the concert to talk to everyone that wanted to talk, take photos, and get autographs.
Another comment mentions an alternative music festival. As someone that loves the 50′s and 60′s and likes a lot of the rock of the 80′s, I must take exception to this. The festival is built on the music of the heydey of the Petty Studio and when attempts have been made to take it in another direction, the festival has nearly died on two occasions. If there needs to be a festival for other forms of music, it needs to be another time and seperate. Good luck. I promoted 80′s/90′s rock in Clovis for about 12 years and saw limited success.