Gold Records in Clovis, NM

Norman Petty is known throughout the world as a recording pioneer hidden away in Clovis NM.  Country and rock artists who recorded at Norman's studio include Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox, Jimmy Glimer, Waylon Jennings, and Buddy Holly just to name a few.  Tune into Talon's Tips and Tales on Friday May 19 at 11 am MT on KMRD-FM 96.6 Madrid and www.kmrd.fm/listen for the story and music of this independent music producer who in the late 1950s and early 1960s created and shaped modern pop music as we know it today.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Lookin' for Buddy on US HWY 60

Out in eastern New Mexico old US HWY 60 runs across the grass covered plains as far as the eye can see.  A classic two laner.  Ridin' with the wind.  Lookin' for Clovis NM on the horizon.  Why Clovis?  Heard Buddy Holly cut his records there.

Stop for gas in Vaughn, NM.  Old stations resting along the road.  Been a while since they have been pumping gas here.

In Fort Sumner meet Derk from Canada.  Both of us looking for gas.  He's been on the road for two months zig-zaging across the US.  "Been in some really F@#%ing  bad weather, F@#%ing wind, F@#%ing rain...but sure having a F@#%ing good time".  So few words, so many meanings.

 Kickstand down in Clovis.  No wif-fi last night.  Morning breakfast at the Foxy Drive-In.  Three generations of the same family since 1958.  Heard Buddy Holly hung out here.  Must be getting close.

Just down the street from the Foxy spot the Norman Petty Recording Studio.  Meet Shirley and Ken Broad.  They promised Norman and Vi Petty to keep the original spirit of the studio alive and intact.

Walking into the studio is a step back into the 50's.  This is not a museum.  Feels like Buddy just finished a session.

If only the mike could talk.  What a story to tell.  Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, The Roses, Bobby Vee, The Fireballs.  All their music filling the studio.

Keyboards ringing out Peggy Sue.  Fender Stratocaster guitars filling the air with rock and roll.

Buddy Holly's original Fender amp.  How many gigs it traveled to.  How many fans yelled, screamed, and danced to the music it shared.

Norman Petty recorded it all on original reel to reel tape decks.  Single track recordings.  Complete takes.  No edits. 

David Bingham of The Roses sitting in the control booth.  He sang and played with Buddy and many of the best in the country.  So many stories he shared.

Down a narrow hallway, behind the studio, a small apartment with kitchen. Norman wanted all the recording artists to feel comfortable.  To be able to relax after a session.  Recording was done from around midnight to sunrise.  Why, no traffic on the streets.  Only the sounds of real rock and roll coming from the studio.

In search of Peggy Sue.  Found it all in Clovis NM along a two lane highway called US HWY 60. New Mexico's best-kept secret.  Norman Petty's recording studio home of the "Clovis Sound".

Headin' west from Clovis back to Santa Fe.  Open road.  Peggy Sue ringing in my ears.  Only in New Mexico.

be strong, be safe, Talon
 

Sonora Rally 2017 - David Pearson

 

David Pearson started riding in Canada when he was 14 years old.  He talked his dad into purchasing a moped.  He immigrated to the US over 25 years ago.  In his 20's he started off-road motorcycle racing.  Nearly 30 years later, he continues to race enduro and off-road rally events.  This past March David finished 4th overall at the Sonora Rally 2017.  The Sonora Rally is a four day grueling rally race across Mexico.  Tune in Friday, May 5, at 11 am MT to Talon's Tips and Tales streaming at www.kmrd.fm/listen when David will share the thrill, challenge, and breath taking moments of this demanding rally.  You won't want to miss it!

be strong, be safe, Talon

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

   
Robert M. Pirsig, who inspired generations to road trip across America with his "novelistic autobigraphy," Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, died Monday at the age of 88.

Part road-trip novel, part treatise, part open letter to a younger generation, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” unfolds as a fictionalized account of a cross-country motorcycle trip that Mr. Pirsig took in 1968 with his 11-year-old son, Christopher, and two friends. 

Tune into Talon's Tips and Tales tomorrow, Friday April 28 at 11 am MT  on KMRD-FM streaming at www.kmrd.fm/listen for an in depth story and tribute to this iconic writer.

be strong, be safe, Talon 

Elvis and his Harleys

Elvis purchased one of his first Harleys in1955 with the proceeds from his original Sun Records contract.  It was just the beginning of a life long love affair the King had with motorcycles.  The myth today surrounds a missing1971 Harley which Elvis granted to Priscilla in 1972 at their divorce.  Where is it?  Does someone, somewhere, own this famous bike?  Tune in Friday, April 21 to Talon's Tips and Tales at 11 am MT on www.kmrd.fm/listen to hear the story unfold.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Flattest Camera in the West

Tune in tomorrow, April14, at 11 am MT for Talon's Tips and Tales on KMRD.FM/Listen
for some hot tips on using you phone camera.  Several years ago while working on a commercial photography assignment I was asked a question which has stuck with me ever since. The question? What’s in your tool kit? In other words, what do you need to get the job done? A camera is a tool, and a powerful one at that.  It’s not so much about the camera, but how it’s used. Good photographs require the photographer to slow down, see, and personally express the world in front of them.  How do you do this traveling on a motorcycle? The answer is simple. Keep it simple. Travel light.  A basic set of tools can generally meet most challenges you may encounter on the road.  Chances are the phone you carry comes with a pretty good camera. Here are a few tips for using your phone camera to capture your next ride. 

Like a copy of the tips and techniques for making photographs with the Flattest Camera in the West?  Click here for a free copy.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Lady Bikers

Did you know there are 1.2 million lady bikers in the US?  Did you know Bessie Stringfield was the first black woman to ride a motorcycle across the US in 1930.  Did you know Debby Pearson of Santa Fe, NM rode the Hoka Hey Challenge riding over 14,000 miles across the US in three weeks?  Tune in Friday April 7 at 11 am MT to KMRD-FM 96.9 or streaming on the web at www.kmrd.fm/listen to Talon's Tips and Tales for amazing stories of lady bikers and a live interview with Debby Pearson.

be strong, be safe, Talon