Maria Elena Holly to receive 15 percent of Holly-related merchandising
Maria Elena Holly, the late rock ‘n’ roll star Buddy Holly’s widow, will receive no portion of the $3 admission charge to the Buddy Holly Gallery inside the Buddy Holly Center, opening today with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at 1801 Ave. G.
Instead, said Connie Gibbons, City of Lubbock director of cultural arts overseeing the center, “We’re operating under the same contract the city has had for some time with Maria Holly, in effect a licensing agreement for merchandise.
“The $3 ticket price goes to support, protect and preserve the Buddy Holly collection.”
Payments to Maria Holly are connected only to souvenir sales, said Gibbons.
Holly’s widow plays a major role in working with Gibbons and the city on design and production of Buddy Holly souvenirs even before they reach the manufacturing process.
Gibbons said that the center’s gift shop includes a wide array of Buddy Holly merchandise, ranging from T-shirts and tote bags, to key rings and computer mouse pads. She explained, “Maria receives a financial percentage of anything sold that uses Buddy Holly’s name or likeness or image.
“She receives 15 percent of all sales here at the center.”
Buddy Holly merchandise is not separated from merchandise related to the visual arts at the center’s gift shop. However, Maria Holly’s percentage is calculated only from sales of Buddy Holly items.
The City of Lubbock, however, was unable to use Buddy Holly’s name this year as part of its festival held on a weekend close to the late Lubbock-born rock star’s Sept. 7 birthday.
It was a breakdown in negotiations with Maria Holly that found the name of this weekend’s annual music festival changed from the Buddy Holly Music Festival to the Music Crossroads of Texas West Texas Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival.
C. David Sharp, president of Market Lubbock Inc., said that the city’s final offer to Holly’s widow for rights to use the late rock star’s name, likeness and image for the festival totaled “$50,000 in cash and 15 percent of the gate from any concerts and events connected with the festival.
“That is significantly more than she has made at past festivals (in Lubbock).”
Maria Holly mentioned in June that she “definitely” would at least attend the opening of the Buddy Holly Center and related activities.
However, Gibbons said that she recently was informed that Holly’s widow has opted not to visit Lubbock at all this weekend, choosing instead to conduct business in California and then attend Paul McCartney’s invitational Buddy Holly Celebration Tuesday in New York City.
By WILLIAM KERNS
A-J Entertainment Editor
