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From Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Wednesday, June 9, 1999

A sour note for Holly festival: Dispute leads to name change

By WILLIAM KERNS
A-J Entertainment Editor

A breakdown in negotiations with Buddy Holly's widow will result in the name of September's annual music festival being 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 the city's final offer to Maria Elena Holly for rights to use the late rock star's name, likeness and image for the festival was ''$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).''

Contacted at her Dallas home, Maria Elena Holly said, ''I think it is obvious, from them staging this festival at the same time of year, that it is still a Buddy Holly Festival or, at least, the city is taking advantage of past Buddy Holly Festivals.

''If they do this (stage a festival with a new name), it could become ugly.''

Music Crossroads of Texas Ð so named after a state legislator labeled Lubbock just that — is expected to revolve around two fall concerts:

— The Everly Brothers, The Rankins and Johnny D & the Rocket 88s on Sept. 4 at the Municipal Auditorium

— Nanci Griffith and The Crickets with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 3 at the Civic Center Theatre.

Every performer has been tendered a contract offer, said Sharp, but no signed contracts have yet been returned.

On Thursday morning, the Convention and Tourism Bureau will request $30,000 from the Lubbock City Council to be used solely to cover the cost of booking and staging a concert by The Everly Brothers, currently a tentative event.

The council's agenda indicates that the Convention and Tourism Bureau feels that the ''festival will attract visitors from all walks of life, many of whom may be involved in organizations and associations, generating an interest in hosting events and conventions in Lubbock. ... (It) is an opportunity to reach out to the travel trade. Many participants of motor coach tours grew up in the 1950s era and this type of event would be key to draw tour operators to put together overnight programs.

''The CTB plans to promote this event worldwide.''

Sharp confirmed that the $30,000 being requested will pay only for The Everly Brothers concert. ''The rest of the money for the festival will come from the CTB budget,'' he said.

He added that this year's festival will retain a 1950s feel because of the already announced Sept. 3 opening of the Buddy Holly Center, exhibiting art and the city's collection of Holly memorabilia.

Also not yet confirmed are two separately proposed sock hops to be sponsored by local car clubs.

Future Music Crossroads of Texas Festivals could concentrate instead on jazz or blues music, said Sharp, and no longer will be locked into a weekend near the late Buddy Holly's Sept. 7 birthday.

Sharp further explained the necessity to change the festival's name: ''We sat down and started talking with Maria in February, trying to pull this festival together. We wanted her to agree to grant Market Lubbock Inc. the rights to use Buddy's name, likeness and image for the festival. When I left, her attorney and my attorney were meeting in Dallas, and I thought everything had been settled.

''But then different issues kept popping up relating to a variety of different issues, such as whether the Cactus Theater could take part or not, who would be allowed to buy advertising in programs, who could sell advertising period.

''About three weeks ago, we ended up making an offer of additional money to expand the license agreement. But in my personal opinion, it all came down to a control issue. She (Maria Holly) was not willing to grant us the latitude that we needed without us having to constantly go back with what I call 'Mother, may I' questions.''

Maria Holly countered, ''I already have a contract with CMG merchandising, and I've let things slide to help Lubbock for the past three years and taken my chances with CMG. But the amount of money they (Market Lubbock Inc.) offered would not be enough to even cover my expenses if CMG decided to sue me.''

She noted that she still plans to be present for the opening of the Buddy Holly Center.

Don Caldwell, general manager of the Cactus Theater, indicated that he, too, plans to stage a theatrical event during the festival, either a revival of ''Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story'' (performed during the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Buddy Holly Music Festivals) or a new play called ''Buddy and Friends.''

If he stages the latter, Caldwell indicated he will need to negotiate a new contract with Maria Holly. Mayor Windy Sitton was out of town and unavailable for comment.

William Kerns can be contacted at 766-8712 or wkerns@lubbockonline.com