Your Buddy John

Robby Vee is a guitar slinging rock and roller from very good stock, his father being the one and only Bobby Vee who had many hit records including "Devil or Angel," "Take Good Care of My Baby," "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," "More Than I can Say," and many others.  In this episode Robby discusses his father filling in for Buddy Holly on a very fateful Feb 3rd, 1959, how Bobby got his career started, what it was like being raised in Bel Air, California when your father is a major recording star, working with the Shirelles, Bo Diddley, and getting invited to jam and hang with Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones.  Robby also talks about his weirdest, most hilarious gig ever, his upcoming projects and much more!

Dickie Harrell was the original drummer of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps who were inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2012.  Dickie recounts that night, how he first got hooked up with Gene Vincent, some wild stage antics involving firecrackers, recording at Capitol records, the time he met Elvis and a whole lot more.  

Sonny West, a rockabilly hall of fame inductee and west Texas walk of fame is perhaps best known for being the main writer on two of Buddy Holly's very beloved songs, "Oh, Boy," and "Rave On."   Sonny discusses his background, working with Buddy's producer Norman Petty and how he felt when he heard the news about the "day the music died" and much more. 

John interviews his fellow Winter Dance Party performers Ray Anthony and Linwood Sasser on their humble beginnings, favorite memories of the tour, memories of Jay Richardson, the Big Bopper's son and much more.

Billy Vera has written songs recorded by Ricky Nelson, Barbara Lewis, Fats Domino, the Shirelles and even Dolly Parton's "I really got the Feeling." Billy himself had a smash #1 hit in 1987 with his song "At this Moment." He worked with Atlantic records great Jerry Wexler and was later signed by Warner music publishing and then got a record deal with Capitol records.  Somewhat of a renaissance man, Billy has acted in movies and TV shows, does lots of voice over work and won a Grammy award for his extensive album notes for a Ray Charles Box set and has his own memoir book out about his life called "Harlem to Hollywood" and there is also a documentary out about him with the same title. Hear his great stories, career highlights and more here!

Connie talks about Ritchie Valens's legacy and how he was like a father figure for her when she was growing up, her relationship with her mother, how Ritchie's spirit is still with her, how the "La Bamba" movie impacted the family, where his first guitar came from, Ritchie's induction ceremony to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, her involvement with the community in Iowa and her annual speech she gives for at risk youth at Forrest Ridge plus a whole lot more!

David Bigham sang backing vocals on Roy Oribison songs, Buddy Holly songs, Buddy Knox songs and more. He also toured in the fall of 1958 with Buddy Holly and the Crickets and many other stars on Alan Freed's Fall show of stars and worked quite frequently at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, NM where Buddy recorded most of his popular songs. He has lived next door to the studio for over twenty years and still to this day will conduct a tour of the studio.  Enjoy his unique rock and roll recollections.  

Maria Richwine's very first film audition was for the part of Maria Elena Holly, Buddy Holly's wife in "The Buddy Holly Story" with Gary Busey and she nailed the audition and got the role. This led to other great opportunities including "Three's Company," "AKA Pablo" and many other film and TV roles.  Hear firsthand her experiences as an actress, working at the Playboy club as a Playboy bunny and much more. A class act still going strong in Hollywood today. 

Greg Martin, lead guitarist for the Kentucky Headhunters talks about never leaving your 1957 Stratocaster in an unlocked vehicle, his musical influences, his musical beginnings, how the band Itchy Brother morphed into the Kentucky Headhunters, his new True Fire Guitar lesson and his love of radio and his own weekly radio show the "Lowdown Hoedown" on WDNSFM.com.  Lots of great stories and laughs here with this super cool Kentucky fried guitar picker.  

There's a lot more to Freda Payne than just her smash hit "Band of Gold." Listen in as Freda recounts her life in full and the people she worked with including Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland team, Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Jerry Lewis and Eddie Murphy.