I Saw Miles and Miles of Texas
Up early and head into Amarillo TX. Breakfast at the Sonic Drive-In - everything smothered in cheese. To the Cadillac Ranch - a truly spiritual experience - works on all levels with no supervision, concession stand or anything else - just a bunch of old Cadillacs nose down in a field. On to the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian TX, half way along Route 66, and the lady owner rushes out to photograph the smart car in front of the midpoint sign. We backtrack a short way and head south on a straight deserted country road on the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. We receive a text message from Peter Flanagan. Past the massive feedlot at Bovina, TX with thousands of cattle penned up.
We head into Clovis, NM on the trail of Buddy Holly. You need an appointment to visit the Norman Petty Recording Studios at 1313 W. 7th Street but the 'just show up' philosophy works as we are greeted by Ken Broad, who will show us round after lunch. We go down the street to the Foxy Drive-In, "where Buddy used to hang out."
It hasn't changed a bit and we snack on a chicken burger waiting to get indoors at the studio. We photograph the Nor-Va-Jak sign at the studios as Ken returns. The studio is in a timewarp with all the original gear on display - I'm freaking out as I listen to Buddy through the original sound system while sitting in the chair in the control room - all the hits were recorded here. Roy Orbison was here and the hit "Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilmer and Fireballs, an NM band, was also recorded in this studio. What a blast!
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