Image Credit: FACEBOOK: Record City

Vernon musician Manfred Harter has been playing Buddy Holly songs for more than 50 years and is now bringing his quartet, Holly 101 to the live stage this weekend.

COVID protocols prevent an audience from watching the 77-year-old musician play in person, but the gig will be streamed live from Vernon's Record City allowing music lovers to tune in at home.

The live-streamed concert also gives those watching at home a unique opportunity.

"Pick up your guitar and play along," Harter said. "Follow along if you can... and sing along with me."

Harter's passion for the legendary 1950s pop star who was responsible for hits such as Peggy Sue, Rave on, and Not fade away, is abundantly evident.

"He lives in me," he said.

Harter remembers walking to school whistling Buddy Holly songs in the 1950s and one year after Holly died in a plane crash in 1958, Harter was playing his songs live in Northern Ontario. He busted on the streets of London during the swinging '60s and has shared the stage with Randy Bachman and was close to the late 1950s pop star Buddy Knox.

Since moving to Vernon in 1993 he's presented Shaw TV show Manfred's Guitar.

Harter has covered Buddy Holly off and on over the decades and formed Holly 101 two years ago. While the music is old, his fellow band members are not. The upright bass player and drummer are both just 18 years old.

The 50 year age gap between band members isn't an issue and Harter is thrilled and very passionate about encouraging young people to play live music.

"Holly 101 is a technique for beginners to fall in love with the music that was all about love songs," he said. "Holly 101 is a mental school of the basics of the guitar and the basics of singing and Holly was an innovator.

"A lot of songs today are in one chord, one key, they don't go anywhere, they don't resolve they start the same way they end, the words are monotone," he said. "(And) people are wanting to go back to the beginning back to the roots."

Holly 101 can be streamed live March 27 at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 to $10.

For more information go here.

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