Ricky Nelson given tribute by twin sons

Saturday night at the Clovis Music Festival a third generation music family rocked at least three generations of music fans.

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson brought their musical tribute to their dad, “Ricky Nelson Remembered” to the Clovis Events Center in front of what organizers say was possibly their best crowd ever for a Clovis festival.

The twins, who achieved musical success themselves in the early 1990s said they originally shied away from doing their father’s music. But once the time was right, they embraced it.

“This is a show we play because we love to, not because we have to,” Gunnar said. He added, “We’ve got the world’s best archive of home movies,” referring to episodes of the “Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” that aired on television in the 1950s featuring their grandparents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, their father and uncle David.

Ozzie and Harriet had been successful musicians during the “Big Band Era” of the ‘40s.

They showed a few scenes from the show and launched into their father’s repertoire which includes hits such as “Travelin Man,” “Hello Mary Lou” and “Garden Party” in which Ricky Nelson made his return to the charts later in his career with the hit that thumbed his nose at the music industry.

While folks in attendance at the festival didn’t necessarily all remember Ricky Nelson’s music, most remembered the television show and could remember the hits as they were performed.

Steve and Jessica Caisse of Farwell had their three children Elva, 2, Samantha, 6, and Joshua, 8, at the concert. As the rock and roll beat started during various parts of the evening the little girls were dancing in their seats along with their mother.

Asked what she remembered about Ricky Nelson, Jessica replied, “Not a whole lot.”

Her husband reminded her of the television show.

“Ozzie and Harriet was a little before your time,” he said. “Actually it was a little before my time.”

David and Wendi Bryant of Clovis were also among a younger generation that came to hear the Nelsons.

“My parents got me started in it (CMF) several years ago,” said David. “I’ve always enjoyed 50s and 60s music and even still listen to it on the radio a lot. My wife’s mother, though, was a big Ricky Nelson fan.”

“I remember when he died,” said Wendi, “my mom was devastated. She used to play his music for me all the time.”

Dianna Thompson, who was working as the merchandising volunteer at the Clovis Chamber booth said she to was a little fuzzy on Nelson family trivia.

“I remember that their family had a TV show and their sons were real cute and Ricky would sing a song after every show,” said Thompson. “Even though the music wasn’t fresh when I was growing up it was still around and I enjoyed it.”

The former teen idol and musician not unlike Buddy Holly, was killed in a tragic plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1985.

During the break before the Nelsons hit the stage, Shelly Morrison of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was on hand to present the festival with an award honoring Norman and Vi Petty for their contributions to the music industry.

“Petty’s work helped steer the music industry in a new direction,” Morrison said.

Kenneth and Shirley Broad, who have managed the Petty Studio since Norman Petty’s death, were also honored.

“You started out saying you would do this for one year,” said CMF Vice-Chairman Randy Petty. “Now 25 years later you’re still rockin’ and rolling.”

Charlie and Lorraine Peters from Amarillo were on their third night of the CMF and visiting Charlie’s father in Clovis at the same time. It was their first year to attend but they said it had been great.”

“Last night (Friday) The Little Richard guy and the Jerry Lee Lewis guy tore it up.”

Peters also tipped his hat to the Pettys.

“They were way ahead of the game for the sound and the technology.”