About Me
Please Note: This is a fan site and not an Official Norman Petty My Space.
This site is a tribute to one of America’s pioneering Sound Engineer’s & Independent Music Producer's, Norman Petty, who was responsible for recording most of the hits produced by Buddy Holly & The Crickets. He is also known for his work with The Fireballs, Jimmy Gilmer, Tommy Allsup, Buddy Knox, The Picks, The Roses, The Rhythm Orchids, Jimmy Bowen, Sonny West, The String-a-Longs, Roy Orbison. Other Clovis Session artists recorded at the studio were, Don Lanier, Weldon Rogers, Niki Sullivan (with Gene Evans & recorded under The Hollyhawks) Charlie Philips, Carolyn Hester, Bobby Fuller, Terry Noland, Sherry Davis, Trini Lopez, Jim Robinson, The Bowman Brothers, George Atwood (session man, played on Buddy Holly sessions with Tommy Allsup) The Nighthawks, Earl Henry (Earl Sinks), Rick Tucker, Wes Bryan, Don Webb, Fred Crawford, to name a few.
These Sessions produced some great Rock & Roll songs. Above are some of the Clovis Sessions recordings by other artists who used the studio.
Listen for yourself, to the quality of these recordings. First up is The Nighthawks with "When Sin Stops". For Buddy/Crickets fans, listen to Buddy (amazing guitar work), JI & Joe B on Gary Tollet’s (aka Gary Dale) Honey, Honey (which should have been a hit - Gary & Ramona Tollet sang backing vocals on That’ll Be The Day & I’m looking For Someone To Love with Niki Sullivan). New songs uploaded are "Whatcha Gonna Do" by Earl Sinks, excellent lead vocalist with The Crickets (in 1958 - I Fought The Law, A Sweet Love) and Jack Huddle singing on "Starlight", with Buddy on Lead Guitar and JI & Joe B on Drums & Bass on the latter.
Some great songs were recorded then, capturing a great era. This is a tribute to one of America’s innovators in Music Production/Sound Engineering and one of the best Recording Studios, which has contributed hugely to the history of American Popular music. It’s also a tribute to the early Pop & Rock music of West Texas & Clovis. The studio may still open for visits/tours, but prior enquiry’s must be made. For more info, go to www.superoldies.com or Bill Griggs www.rockin50s.com
As a Special Feature, to pay tribute to Buddy Holly and the 50th Anniversary of his death (1959-2009) "KEEP ON SHINING ON", a song by "PETE CARROLL & THE CRICKETS SOUND PROJECT" has been uploaded and is the only Buddy Holly Tribute song to mention "The Crickets".
Incidentally, Norman sold Buddy an Ampex Tape Machine, which Buddy used to record at his New York apartment (The Apartment Tapes). Buddy was Home-Recording "50 years before" it was common practice for songwriters/musicians !!! it's only now that it's common practice !!!!
