The City of Lubbock purchased the largest single collection of Buddy Holly memorabilia for $175,000 and in a partnership with the Museum of Texas Tech University (4th Street and Indiana Avenue), a portion of the collection will be exhibited through May 10, 1996. The collection includes Buddy Holly's Fender Stratocaster guitar, an original itinerary from his last tour (The Winter Dance party), a pair of maroon and black stage shoes, and the singer/songwriter's lyric book with handwritten lyrics and sketch notes. The notebook includess his classic 1957 hit, "That'll Be The Day."

The renaissance of Buddy Holly and his music coincides with the City of Lubbock's initiative to create a renaissance in the downtown district. The enterprise includes the creation of the Lubbock Center for the Arts. This unique facility will house a permanent exhibition of the entire Buddy Holly collection along with a Visitor Information Center and a Fine Arts Gallery and related programs. Approximately one-third of the money has been raised to create the $1.5 million Center.

Carolyn McCormic-Aliamus, Managing Director of Culture & Leisure Services for the City of Lubbock explained that, "The opening of Buddy Holly -- The Influence on September 7, will inaugurate the Year of Buddy Holly and will begin the City of Lubbock's crusade to make Lubbock the heart of culture on the South Plains."

For more information about Buddy Holly -- The Influence call (806)767-2241, or contact: