Winter Dance Party

2000

This year for the first time in 9 years we opted NOT to attend the Buddy Holly Weekend (or whatever they're calling it now) at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Why? Basically because this years lineup had nothing whatsoever to do with Buddy or his music. And we thought a change of pace might be good anyway. So we attended the Winter Dance Party Tour 2000 at the Kato Ballroom in Mankato Minnesota.

John Mueller, who plays Buddy in the stage production of the Buddy Holly Story has put this tour together and plays the role of our musical hero. He is joined by J.P. Richardson Jr, the Big Boppers son, and the guy who plays Ritchie Valens in the stage play as well (darn I wish I could remember his name). Also joining them at certain stops along the tour (which follows as closely as possible the original Winter Dance Party tour of 1959) were Niki Sullivan (an original Cricket) and Carl Bunch (who was the real drummer on the road with the tour in '59). There were a few other guests slated to turn up as well. At first I didn't think too many folks were going to show up but I believe by the time the show started the ballroom was full. The opening act if you will was a cat whose name I can't recall, solo with an acoustic guitar doing a few straight roackabilly numbers. He played maybe 15 minutes to an appreciative crowd. Then he introduced Buddy and the boys, who took the stage in their white sport coats and bow ties. I need to mention that everyone (except the MC) were completely in character throughout the performance. None of this "Hi, I'm John Mueller and I'm playing buddy" stuff, it was "Hello Mankato..I'm Buddy Holly". I couldn't for the life of me remember their opening tune, but suffice it to say it hit home right off the bat. This cat IS the living breathing reincarnation of Buddy. I must say for the first couple numbers I sat there in amazement thinking this guy IS Buddy. I've seen enough film and heard enough of Buddy to know this cat's got it right on. He had the voice, the accent, the mannerisms, and the licks and it all came so natural it was downright spooky.

The band with him was equally excellent. Upright bass (who changed to bass guitar later in the night) a guy who looked an awfully lot like Niki, drums of course, and a sax player. Outstanding musicianship all around. After a while he introduced the Bopper who came out and did his Dad's act and this fella looks and sounds just like his Dad. He did a couple tunes in the first set and a couple in the second. (The show was made up of two sets about an hour long each, and an encore of about half an hour where the performers broke character a bit, doing Johnny B. Goode, and a tribute song John wrote for Buddy and a rousing encore of Labamba along with a few other tunes). Naturally the Bopper did Chantilly Lace in the second set and also did That's the Truth Ruth and a couple others.

Ritchie did a great job as well, and I wish I could remember the performers name. Keep in mind that we went to this more to enjoy ourselves rather than to document the event like I do when we go to the Surf, so I wasn't paying as much attention to the details and instead could actually be found on the dance floor. But he was damn good. Played guitar too even though he's not in the photo.

Bopper Jr. took time to chat with me a bit and posed for a snapshot with my lovely wife Ronna. A great guy to carry on his Dads legacy.

I guess I'd have to say the show was excellent. The Kato Ballroom was considerably smaller than the Surf but I think very well kept up and friendly. The tour will be making a few more stops this year (2000) and I'm sure they'll do it again next year. For more information I recommend visiting John Meullers web page and also the Big Bopper Jrs. web site for information about the tour next time around and a whole lot more. Oh..and if ya feel like it click here to e-mail me.