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    Texas Heritage Songwriters

    Sonny Curtis on songwriting, West Texas simplicity and Buddy Holly

    Arden Ward
    Feb 16, 2013 | 11:00 am

    The tale of Sonny Curtis unfolds as any great Texas songwriter’s should, with equal parts simplicity and the stuff of legends. Starting with West Texas sandstorms of mythic proportions and featuring the likes of Buddy Holly and The Clash, Sonny Curtis’ story has itself become a piece of Texas folklore.

    But, like any good-hearted Texan, Curtis (who now resides in Tennessee) tells this tale with charm and light laughter, showing that even a legendary career of six decades can’t water down a poetic West Texas soul.

    Sonny Curtis was born in Meadow, Texas — 25 miles southwest of Lubbock — in 1937. “Forever the sign, the city limits sign, said ‘Population 408.’ I always thought that was kind of overstating it,” he says with a laugh.

    “I used to write songs on the tractor, you know, in my head,” Curtis says. “I got started that way.”

    Growing up as the son of a farmer, what Curtis wanted to be most in life was a country singer — a “big star kind of country singer,” he says. Songwriting was not a path he chose but rather a craft he developed “out of necessity” to combat the lonely West Texas landscape.

    “I used to write songs on the tractor, you know, in my head,” he says. “Nothing came much of those songs, but when you’re riding a tractor all day long, you have a chance to think some long thoughts, and I got started that way.”

    For Curtis, songwriting became a way to pass the long hours, to find solace in the juxtaposition of a small town and the big Texas sky.

    “When you live in a small town like that and the sand’s blowing outside, it creates some lonesome moments, and I used to use those moments up writing songs and picking my guitar,” he says.

    It was Curtis’ Aunt Mary who taught him to play guitar as a child, and her brothers — The Mayfield Brothers — became large musical influences in his early years. Although they were all lovers of bluegrass music, brother Ed Mayfield played with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys in the 1950s.

    “Sadly, he died on the road with Bill Monroe," Curtis recalls. “But he was a big influence on me. And I had a personal relationship with him, which I think helped me an awful lot.”

    “I think my biggest influence as a guitar player was, of course, Chet Atkins,” Curtis says. “I just picked like Chet every time I got a chance.”

    Outside of family, influences for the young Curtis were vast and of legendary proportions, ranging from the aforementioned father of bluegrass to Hank Williams, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

    “I think my biggest influence as a guitar player was, of course, Chet Atkins,” Curtis says. “He was just magnificent, and I used to listen to him on Saturday nights on the Grand Ole Opry. He always had a spot on the Prince Albert Show, which was syndicated, and I could get it real clear on my radio. And, of course, I listened to it religiously just to hear him play.

    “I used to think there were two guitar players playing, and one day a friend of mine — he became a friend — he showed me what that lick was like, Chet Atkins’ lick. It kind of stemmed from Merle Travis. (They call it the Merle Travis style.) When I learned that lick, that’s all I did, man. I just picked like Chet every time I got a chance.”

    In the 1950s, Curtis began picking with a little band now known as The Three Tunes, which metamorphosed into The Crickets, a rock and roll legend helmed by none other than Lubbock’s Buddy Holly.

    “I played with Buddy Holly actually before The Crickets were formed, and we recorded in Nashville,” Curtis says. “The first records were recorded in 1956, and I was in the group — The Three Tunes it was called — it was Buddy and myself and another guy called Don Guess who played bass. I played lead guitar on those records.”

    After a stint on the road with Slim Whitman, Curtis “joined back up with The Crickets three or four months before Buddy got killed. … That would have been in the last part of ’58,” he says. “So, I’ve been a Cricket ever since.

    “You see a lot of bands that have changed a lot through the years, but we’re the same Crickets now as we were then,” Curtis says of the band that still tours occasionally. “Well, we’ve got the same name, we look a little different, but other than that we’re the same.”

    “You see a lot of bands that have changed a lot through the years, but we’re the same Crickets now as we were then,” Curtis says of the band that still tours.

    Curtis’ career as a songwriter is just as legendary as his lifelong membership of one of rock and roll’s most influential bands. During the course of nearly six decades, he has penned some of modern music’s most recognizable songs, across genres.

    In 1989, he co-wrote Keith Whitley’s “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.” While living in LA, Curtis wrote the Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song (“Love Is All Around”). And, in true, rebellious West Texas fashion, he’s also the voice behind 1958's “I Fought the Law,” first recorded by the Bobby Fuller Four, then transformed into a punk rock anthem by The Clash.

    These days, Curtis has hung up his serious songwriting hat, proclaiming himself “semi-retired” for the past 15 years. “I’m not saying I don’t write,” he says. “I do pretty much what I want to these days, and I have some projects I’m interested in which include writing arrangements to my songs. I don’t know if I’ll ever complete them, but it keeps me busy.”

    In March, Curtis will be inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, adding one more well-deserved accolade to an already legendary career.

    “I was surprised, to tell you the truth,” he says of the award, “and it’s really an honor to be in such good company with, well this year, with Ronnie Dunn and posthumously Roger Miller, who, by the way, was a good old friend of mine.”

    Curtis says he’s sharpening some old skills ahead of his return to the Lone Star State, which will include a rare live solo performance at the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame Awards Show. “Other than playing with The Crickets, I don’t do this sort of thing too much, and all of a sudden I realized I’ve gotta get those songs out and dust them off and try to rehearse them and relearn them and all that.”

    Though he hasn't called Texas home since 1960, Sonny Curtis still embodies all of the charm from his poetic West Texas upbringing — something he'll surely bring to the stage this March as he pays homage to his humble — but strong — roots.

    “It’s funny, when you write a song and it sort of fades into history, you don’t find yourself singing it all that much,” he says. “But this is gonna be something different, and I kind of want to be on my toes, put my best foot forward.”

    ---

    The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame Awards Show is March 3, 2013 at ACL Live.

    In 1989, Curtis co-wrote Keith Whitley’s “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.”

     
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    Weekend Event Planner

    These are the 14 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

    Alex Bentley
    Jun 19, 2025 | 6:00 am
    DRUMline Live
    Photo courtesy of DRUMline Live
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    This weekend across Dallas will be one to celebrate Juneteenth, pride, top golfers, music, theater, and more. Choices include a major golf tournament, four concerts, three theater productions, a big block party, two comedians, a special drum performance, and the final days of a unique immersive audio experience.

    Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

    Thursday, June 19

    Dallas Historical Society presents “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” opening day
    Leading off the many Juneteenth festivities around DFW is "Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom," which explores the historic origins of Juneteenth and its lasting impact. The exhibition features two components: the “Historical Track,” which includes firsthand accounts of emancipation shared by formerly enslaved individuals, and the “Celebration Track,” which invites visitors to recording their own stories and sentiments. Also on display is the Dallas Historical Society’s Juneteenth Order No. 3, the only remaining copy of those hand-delivered to Texas in 1865 to declare that enslaved people were free. The exhibition will remain on display through October 19 at the Hall of State in Fair Park.

    KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
    The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the most prestigious and second-oldest women’s Major Championship, will be the first in its over 70-year history to be played in Texas. The Championship showcases the best female players in the world, including 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion Amy Yang. The tournament takes place through Sunday at Fields Ranch in Frisco.

    Bibi in concert
    Unlike most music exports from South Korea in recent years, singer/rapper Bibi has never been part of a K-Pop group. Like most of them, though, she was part of a reality music competition, The Fan, on which she finished second in 2018. After a couple of EPs, she released her debut album in 2022, and she is now touring in support of her second album, the new Eve: Romance. She'll perform at The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

    Shakespeare Dallas presents Othello
    In this Shakespearean tragedy, Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice's greatest general but also husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly-but-brilliant enemy. This Shakespeare in the Park production from Shakespeare Dallas will get a modern twist, set in an alternate history version of the 1990s in which the Venetian empire is the predominant political, military, and economic power. It will run in repertory with The Importance of Being Earnest at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre through July 20.

    Friday, June 20

    Dallas Arts District Pride Block Party
    To celebrate Pride Month, Dallas Arts District will partner with its three museums - Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Museum of Asian Art - to present a Pride Block Party. There will be pride-themed tours, performances, films, artists, gourmet food trucks, makers, Dallas artists, informational tables, activities, and more.

    Mo Amer: El Oso Palestino Tour
    Mo Amer is a Palestinian-American stand-up comedian and actor who grew up in Houston. He is known for his Netflix comedy special Mo Amer: The Vagabond and as a member of the comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny. Amer also appeared in the Hulu sitcom Ramy for two seasons. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

    Luke Bryan in concert
    Country singer Luke Bryan has been one of the top artists in the genre since his debut in 2007, scoring nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country charts, success that has allowed him to up his profile by appearing on The Voice and, since 2018, serving as a judge on American Idol. He'll play at Dos Equis Pavilion in support of 2024 album, Mind of a Country Boy.

    The Hopeful Theatre Project presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid
    In the beloved Disney classic The Little Mermaid, King Triton's youngest daughter Ariel wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. The production, running through Sunday at Kalita Humphreys Theater, will benefit Turtle Island Restoration Network.

    AT&T Performing Arts Center presents DRUMline Live
    DRUMLine Live is an international tour based on the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition. The stage show, a synchronized musical showcase of the HBCU experience, features original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits. The performance takes place at Winspear Opera House.

    Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Pride Night with DSO
    Pride Night with DSO is an evening celebrating love, identity, and community. Conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the special performance will feature vocalists Christian Dante White, Maiya Sykes, and the Turtle Creek Chorale. The program will include Broadway hits, movie classics, and disco favorites. The concert takes place at Meyerson Symphony Center.

    Saturday, June 21

    Teatro Dallas presents Entre Páginas
    Entre Páginas is a musical for children and teens, written by Jorge Cogollo, in which six actors on stage give life to the story of a girl who loses the final page of a story. In search of her happy ending, she embarks on a magical journey in the library trying to find a writer to help her complete the end of the story. The production, featuring four performances through June 29, is performed in Spanish with an English synopsis.

    Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra in concert
    Thee Phantom combines the energy and passion of hip-hop, with the beautiful, sweeping sounds of live orchestration featuring strings, horns, woodwinds, and a pianist. Add to that a soul songstress, a crowd controlling DJ and a fire breathing MC and that is still but a fraction of what you'll get when you catch Thee Phantom & the Illharmonic Orchestra in action. They'll perform at Winspear Opera House.

    Majestic Theatre presents Sheng Wang
    Comedian, actor, and writer Sheng Wang, originally from Houston, has released one Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, in September 2022. He was a featured stand-up comedian on HBO’s 2 Dope Queens special and also wrote for the ABC show Fresh Off the Boat. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

    Sunday, June 22

    AT&T PAC & Realscape Productions present Darkfield: Séance, Flight, and Coma closing day
    After three months, the immersive audio experience Darkfield - located at Sammons Park - will come to a close. It features three experiences: Séance, Flight, and Coma, each of which is staged within a custom-built shipping container. The pitch-black environments utilize 360-degree binaural sound and innovative sensory effects to create immersive worlds that challenge perceptions and evoke deep emotional responses.

    DRUMline Live
      
    Photo courtesy of DRUMline Live

    AT&T Performing Arts Center presents DRUMline Live at Winspear Opera House on June 20.

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