Generally, members of the Crickets could be heard on both Brunswick and Coral recordings but there was often shuffling of musicians and substitutions. Ironically, Holly and company would learn that another R&B group had recording back in 1953 as “The Crickets”. The group, along with Petty, had already confronted the restriction of Buddy not using his name with another label and after brain storming names came up with “The Crickets” – Allison’s inspiration for this choice was a black vocal group who recorded for Imperial – “The Spiders”.

The boys did well enough with Petty to gain the attention of producer Bob Thiele who would would sign the boys to Brunswick Records. He would be accompanied by Jerry of course, along with Larry Welborn once again on bass and noq adding a 19-year old he would meet in Lubbock, Niki Sullivan. Clovis and Norm Petty & the “Classic Crickets”Īfter the Decca session, Sonny Curtis and Don Guess would move on from Holly and so Allison and Buddy would work for a time as a duo in Lubbock – not performing often but jamming at Buddy’s home constantly.Īfter witnessing the success of two Texas musicians, Buddy Knox (“Party Doll”) and his band mate from The Orchids, Jimmy Bowen (“I’m Stickin’ With You”) Buddy decided to head out for Clovis to meet producer Norman Petty. Down the road when Buddy took off – Decca would release four additional tracks and an LP as well. Initially, three singles would be released by Decca. Buddy was disappointed in the lack of control in the studio:ĭecca would place stipulations on the separation: Buddy couldn’t record the Decca songs again for another label and he couldn’t perform for five years using “Buddy Holly”. In Nashville Buddy was accompanied by Jerry Allison, Sonny Curtis and Don Guess – Holly, Curtis and Guess were being called “Buddy Holly and the The Two Tones” – Decca would change that to be “The Three Tunes”.īradley in Control of Buddy at DeccaThis was 1956 and going into 1957, Decca would terminate Holly’s contract as neither the label or Holly were enthralled with the progress being made. The Decca experience wasn’t a good one for Buddy and apparently Decca was looking more for a traditional country artist. So it was off to Decca to record with the noted producer Owen Bradley.

But Montgomery insisted that Buddy make the trip to possibly realize his dream. This nearly caused Holly to pass on the invitation. And it was this same producer who would misspell Buddy’s name from Holley to “Holly” a mistake which would stick forever on.ĭecca wasn’t interested in bringing Montgomery to Nashville. It was at the Bill Haley concert in 1955 that Buddy was spotted by a record producer and talent scout, who would recommend Buddy to Decca Records in Nashville. Decca Era – Holly – Allison – Sonny Curtis – and Don Guess (on stand-up bass)

Without a song buddy