The Buddy Holly Story - review by Jimmy (Sticks) Valencia

The Buddy Holly Story

Born: Charles Hardin Holley (Buddy changed it to Holly when on an ad it was misspelled and he kept that version)

Director:  Excellent Choice in Primary Cast and ensemble crew.  Production depicted the era changes
with decent accuracy as well as showing the steadfastness of Buddy character.  (Stubborn)

The stage set was cleverly created to allow for quick and graphic settings from stages to sound studios giving the audience a true flare for the nuances of show biz back then.  i.e. dated props, reel to reel recorders.  Big microphones for vocalist.  A radio sound booth for radio announcer "HiPockets Duncan" was a special touch.

Local Jazz Drummer Jimmy Valencia performing at San Carlos Art & Wine Festival

Copperopolis Drummer Jimmy Valencia’s ‘Cool Jazz’ band will be playing the San Carlos Art & Wine Festival October 8, 2011 from 12:00 to 2:30. The ‘Cool Jazz’ band consists of percussionist Jimmy Valencia, keyboard Bob Johns, bass Hal Bigler, lead guitar Dr. Bob Navarra and vocalist Bernadette Soubirou.

Jimmy began playing drums at the age of 16 under the watchful and helpful eye of his older brother and experienced percussionist, Eddy.  When Jimmy entered the Air Force the higher-ups caught wind of his drum skills and Jimmy was immediately placed in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Not only did he get to play all day long he also managed to skirt KP duties with this gig. While in the military Jimmy made friends with a few musicians who conveniently played sax, piano and bass. Soon thereafter they applied to work at a local night club and the rest is history.