The Geordies are coming!

(Above) The Baldy Holly Band will take part in Winter Dance Parties at the schools.-Submitted photo.

British Buddy Holly fans begin trek to ‘home away from home’

by Paul King

special to the Mirror-Reporter

The usual hardy contingent of British Buddy Holly fans at the Winter Dance Party will be swelled this year with it being the 60th anniversary of that fateful day.  Among them will be a party of no less than 28 “Geordies,” the name often given to natives of North East England.  They are flying over to Minneapolis together and renting three mini-buses to drive down to Clear Lake.

The ‘Geordies’ will be led by Jamie Bell, better known in Iowa as ‘Baldy Holly’, and his wife, Angela.  The Bells first came to the Winter Dance Party in 2016 and they were knocked out with the experience.  The following year they came again, but this time brought the rest of The Baldy Holly Band, performing at The Winter School Dance Parties at Garner and Clear Lake Schools and elsewhere.  The band caused quite a stir in 2017 and this time they will be six strong.  In addition to Bell, there will be drummer, Arron Overton, with his partner, ‘Dotty’ Dot Cieszko, bassist, Michael Newman and his wife, Angie (who just happens to be Baldy’s mother).  Overton and Newman came in 2017, too.

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Newcomers to Clear Lake will be band members Paul Cowan, Jordan Maddison and Arthur Higgins.  All are excited at the prospect of playing here in Iowa, they have heard so many good things about the music fans and especially the warm welcome they will receive here.

The Baldy Holly Band has a massive following in England, not only in the North East but increasingly throughout the country.

Keith and Janet Hannon are among Baldy’s friends and fans making the trip.  Keith became an Elvis fan at age seven, and Janet got into the music right after they met.  Keith is looking forward to sporting his Surf Ballroom painted shoes and the couple plans to renew their marriage vows at the Surf Ballroom on Feb. 1.

At age 35, Victoria Orange is one of the youngest visitors, but one who lives her life in the 50s.  She is friends with all the Geordies and regularly attends Rock ‘n’ Roll shows throughout the country.  She is proud to have appeared in various videos featuring The Baldy Holly Band and their recordings.

Perhaps the oldest ‘Geordie’ will be 77-year-old Barrie Braidford.  He is, however, literally ‘young at heart’ since he had a heart transplant 22 years ago and his new heart is 17 years younger than him.  Braidford was 17-years-old at the time of ‘The Day The Music Died’ and remembers it well.

Keen dancers John and Lorna Moore are active not only in the North East of England but throughout the world, specializing in Salsa, Modern Jive (derived from Rock ‘n’ Roll), Swing and other dances.  They are relishing the thought of dancing at the iconic Surf Ballroom.

George Wilson is a long-time visitor to The Winter Dance Party and will need little introduction.  Being a ‘Geordie’ himself, he will willingly act as interpreter to the group, as Iowans will initially struggle with the unique ‘Geordie’ accent.

John Cumberland has visited The Winter Dance Party many times, and his particular interest is in JP (The Big Bopper) Richardson.  He is dedicated to getting The Big Bopper inducted into The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and he won’t rest until it happens.  Both Buddy Holly and Richie Valens are already in it, he rightly feels that The Big Bopper should be too.

One thing is for sure, Clear Lakers will not know what has hit them when the ’Geordies’ arrive.  They are all dedicated Rock’ n’ Roll fans and they dress accordingly.  Expect spectacular 50s dresses for the ladies, and many of the men will be in ‘Teddy Boy’ clothing.  Popular in Britain in the 50s, pseudo Edwardian clothing was the chosen dress for many youths.  All of the group are avid music and dance fans and they will be keen participants in the dance competitions at the Surf Ballroom.

So, look out for the ‘Geordies’ in Clear Lake and beyond (they will be visiting Albert Lea, birthplace of another music idol, Eddie Cochran).  It will be an unforgettable experience not only for them but for you too.  As has happened with other ‘Brits’, some long-term transatlantic friendships are about to begin.

Catch The Baldy Holly Band, along with ‘Buddy’s Buddies’ and their other guests Iowa’s own Richie Lee & The Fabulous 50’s at The Winter School Dance Parties at Garner Elementary School gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from noon to 2 p.m., and Clear Lake E.B. Stillman Auditorium in Clear Lake on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 1 – 3 p.m.

Those who can’t wait are invited to check the group out on Facebook and their website.

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