A trip to Cleveland crystalizes how Buddy Holly, Lubbock and West Texas massively impacted rock ‘n’ roll

I didn’t really understand Buddy Holly’s impact on rock ‘n’ roll before moving to Lubbock in 2006. I learned how he and the Crickets influenced the Beatles and many others. The Beatles then influenced almost everyone who followed. All from West Texas … where you have space to breathe, think and dream, Then a trip … Continued

Did Centennial Champion look a little nervous is his Saturday debut? Yes … but ‘overall it was a positive experience’ … ‘none start out perfectly’

If you’ve been watching Fearless Champion sprint down the field at a Texas Tech football game these past seasons, it was obvious the Masked Rider’s new mount – Centennial Champion – ran slower Saturday (seen above). Then, the new horse seemed nervous when the Masked Rider brought it out after one of Tech’s many scores … Continued

Roosevelt High’s historic postseason run brought back 50-year-old memories of last time Eagles flew to unprecedented heights

Their season ended on a bitterly cold night against Childress in 1971. For 50 years, though, it was the greatest football season in Roosevelt High School history until this year’s Eagles came within one game of playing for a state title. For the 1971 Eagles, the 2021 season brought back wonderful memories of a group … Continued

Texas Tech is doing just fine with Mark Adams … so when its former coach comes to town, silence will be golden

February 1 is on a lot of Texas Tech sports fans’ calendars. It’s the day fans can scream at Chris Beard for leaving Lubbock last spring to lead the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball program. The game’s sold out. People will boo, yell insults and hold up signs to protest Beard bailing on Texas Tech, Lubbock, … Continued

Thoughts after watching magical kick: What Jonathan Garibay was thinking … perseverance … poor Longhorns … letting Pirate go … what is elite?

A bunch of random thoughts the day after: The magic returned to Jones AT&T Stadium. Those bad calls. Why it must really suck to be a Longhorn. Why you’ll die if you keep holding your breath waiting for the resurrection of the Pirate on the South Plains. What does elite mean? ‘We’ve got to throw … Continued

Brad Ralston’s building Red Feather Golf & Social Club in south Lubbock. It’s private, expensive … but you can bring your flip-flops

Picture above: Brad Ralston stands on what will be the 10th tee box at Red Feather. Judge Smails and Brad Ralston would not be golfing pals. Smails – from the movie “Caddyshack” – represented the stuffy, formal, rules-laden country club chief who’d melt on the spot if he saw Ralston’s vision for a chunk of … Continued

It’s long past time to share the well-endowed Texas PUF with more than two arrogant schools … Burrows, Perry take aim

In early 2007, then-new Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance visited the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal editorial board. I’d been editor a little more than six months. But I’d heard about the Permanent University Fund – the PUF – and asked Hance why it only benefitted the University of Texas and Texas A&M. Could that be changed? “Terry, … Continued

Snow, ice, record cold? No problem, I lived in North Dakota. No water in the house? Big problem

As I sit here Monday morning, it’s 2 degrees outside … wondering if it’ll get colder inside if we get hit with the rolling blackouts going across Texas because of the record cold weather affecting the state’s power grid. After that, I’m waiting for the locust and plague. Wait … we’ve been dealing with our … Continued

Rave On: Buddy Holly Hall a feast for eyes and ears … thanks to all who got this stunning showplace done

I walked into the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences for the first time on Saturday night, January 23. After having my temperature taken. Since plans were announced for the now fully sprouted “Holly Hall,” I’ve been excited about going to an event. Odds were it would be a Lubbock Symphony Orchestra concert … Continued

Embarrassment at the Capitol is just ‘another’ last straw

I’m always impressed with America’s presidential transfer of power, whether I agree or disagree with election results, The outgoing  president is part of the inauguration process. Over the years, it told me we’re different than countries where bloody, violent coups take place or the power structure never lets go. Think Russia’s Vladimir “Oppose me and … Continued


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