Fan pays tribute to Crickets
Alex Chavez of Tucson Arizona, left, and Eric Harron of Lubbock look at Buddy Holly's Fender Stradocaster which is on display at the Buddy Holly Center Saturday afternoon. (A-Jphoto/Lara Meckfessel)
In 1996, Morford came to the Buddy Holly Festival looking to buy Holly’s 1958 Pontiac; however, the deal fell through. It was a twist of fate that led him to his current love: Holly and The Crickets’ 1955 Pontiac called ”The Cricketmobile”.
During that first trip, Morford met Peggy Sue Gerron, who helped him locate a man in San Marcos who owned the Cricketmobile. By Thanksgiving 1996, Morford had traveled to San Marcos to pick up his new treasure.
He spent several years restoring and refurbishing every part of the car, including rebuilding the motor and transmission.
”Everything here is original,” he said. ”This is the first time this car has been back in restored condition in 28 years.”
Morford said he doesn’t regret that it took four years to complete the project. In fact, he said, it makes it more special.
”You can’t restore these cars overnight,” he said. ”You have to do a little bit at a time. You make an investment.”
Morford said his motivation for restoring the car involved more than just being a huge Holly fan.
”We did it as a tribute to Buddy Holly and The Crickets,” he said. ”I give The Crickets a lot of credit because they’ve kept the music and the concept alive.”
For Morford, being a Holly fan requires more than just owning the car. The basement of his home in Marshalltown, Iowa, is filled with Holly memorabilia and other 1950s rock ‘n’ roll collectibles.
Morford and his wife also travel each year to Clear Lake, Iowa, for the Winter Dance Party celebration that honors Holly as well as late rock ‘n’ roll stars Richie Valens and J.P. ”The Big Bopper” Richardson. It was near Clear Lake where Holly, Valens, Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson perished in a plane crash on Feb. 3, 1959.
Three years after his first trip to Lubbock, Morford traveled back to take part in the festivities surrounding the opening of the Buddy Holly Center on Friday.
”I knew The Crickets would be here (for the opening), and this was the first time for them to view the restored car and they deserve it,” he said. ”I think the opening (of the Buddy Holly Center) was long past due. If I lived here, I think I would have done something 20 years ago.”
He also has attended, with the car, several of the concerts at the Crossroads of Texas Music Festival. The festival continues today in the Depot District with a concert of local bands at 1 p.m. followed by The Rankins at 6 p.m. and The Diamonds at 8 p.m. All concerts are on the outdoor stage.
Although the couple will head back home today, Morford said he’s glad they made the return trip to Lubbock.
”We wanted to be here to support this cause,” he said. ”I’m glad to have been a part of this nostalgic event.”
By ANDREA WATSON
Avalanche-Journal
