West Texas two-step

 

This weekend I conducted some thesis research at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. After grueling work with microfilms and listening to oral histories, I managed to visit museums of two musical legends. While they are separated by 35 miles, each are connected eternally: Buddy Holly, who along with his group the Crickets made Rock n Roll history and Waylon Jennings, who became Buddy's bassist later on, and eventually developed a strong career as a Country and Western performer. By coincidence (or not) they happen to be two of the most popular requests in my truck.

The morning began with a plan to simply visit the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock before heading back to Denton, so I can relax before performing some more research. However, the road-a-holic in me decided to veer northwest along US 84 and see what I can discover. After passing along grain elevators and broken hearted filling stations, I got off TX 430 in Littlefield, which, according to the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), was named for rancher George W. Littlefield, where I veered right until I reached a historic gas station (uncertain to its history),

 

However, the mind was set on finding the museum. A few blocks later, I got out of the truck along a residential street then walked up a block. I passed by a garage where a mechanic with reddish facial hair caught in between a 5 o'clock shadow and a Civil War beard glared at me like I was General William Tecumseh Sherman ready to conduct more violence. His eyes pondered what I needed. After speaking of the Jennings museum, he directed me down the road several blocks until I got onto Waylon Jennings Blvd or Farm Road 54. As I approached the intersection with US 385 I found Waymore's Package Store, which also offers fans of the Outlaw legend glimpses of his life.

 

The nerves crept up slowly, is the place open? Am I going to meet Waylon's brother? Got out of the truck, left the keys in the ignition as the engine continued to run, not something I would suggest. At which point, I scrapped the gravel until I went around the corner where I met a blonde women with pale grey eyes and a Waylon t-shirt. "Is this the liquor store/museum his brother James runs?" She said yes as she opens the door. Immediately to the left was a room full of spirits and wines while straight ahead were some of the pint size drinks guests can purchase. However, along the walls about are a plethora of albums and other Waylon related material.  "Where is his brother James?" She replied that he was not in. Slightly disappointed, I pondered aloud, did you know Mr. Jennings? "I am his niece." Of course the first words to pop out of the mouth were "What was Waylon like?" Ask simple questions you get a straight response, "Just like everyone else."

As I perused around some more, she spoke of her desire to be in Fort Worth so she could be in the Stockyards, while the guest stated his love for the Panhandle and West Texas. As I walked back to see if the truck was still sitting, she suggested to come back in July for a Country and Western show in Whiteface, less than 40 miles southwest. Looking forward!

 

Next stop: Lubbock and the Buddy Holly Center.

After exploring the community a bit, I got back onto 84 and headed towards Lubbock. Time was on my side, yet I wanted to get there as soon as possible. After 40 minutes, the truck got off 84 and went east on 19th Street, aka US 62. The ignition stopped and sitting along parts of what used to be the train depot to the South Plains division of the Fort Worth to Denver Railway was the Buddy Holly Center.

 

Walking across wooden planks felt like an eternity as the heart wanted to pay its respects to a Rock n' Roll legend. Inside, I encountered a Baby Boomer with chocolate brown hair decorated with specs of grey. After telling her I was a UNT gradate student she was glad to inform me that my student id earned me a $3 discount on the ticket. One piece of bad news, no photography was allowed.

(At this point I will interject and make a confession. I visited the museum five years ago. Once more, I wrote about the museum for Hubpages. Buddy Holly  It has a couple of photographs that I snapped during that visit, when they weren't looking for cameras.)

As classics like "Rave On" and "Not Fade Away" serenaded the guests, it was about time to thank Mr. Holly for his contributions to music and start heading back towards Denton.