Not Fade Away 

Musical Director Gary Rue weaves a tale of rock and roll history in reverse, performing a solo opening set of songs from Gene Pitney (who wrote “Rubber Ball” for Bobby Vee), Sonny Curtis (Crickets’ guitarist  and a great tunesmith in his own rite) to Bobby Vee (Bobby took Holly’s place at the Moorhead, MN Winter Dance Party concert after Buddy’s fatal plane crash on February 3rd, 1959). 

Mr. Rue was Music Director, arranger and duet partner with Gene ("Town Without Pity") Pitney, 1986 until Mr. Pitney’s death in 2006. Also played “a little piano” for Bobby Vee in the mid-eighties. Mr. Rue developed a ‘passing acquaintance-relationship’ with The Crickets who were touring simultaneously with Gene Pitney, which led to Gary’s music director position with History Theatre for Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story, and consequently to the Crickets’ attendance on opening night and their subsequent endorsement of the production. 

THIS SHOW: Gary Rue, Solo guitar and voice, along with “a whole lotta stories from the road, backstage, Carnegie Hall and then some.” 

Gene Pitney: 

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” 
“Only Love Can Break a Heart” 
“Hello Mary Lou” (written by Mr. Pitney) 
“Rubber Ball” (also penned by Gene Pitney exclusively for Bobby Vee). 

  

Sonny Curtis (Crickets' guitarist and writer the Holly-hit, “Ollie Vee”): 

”I Fought the Law” (for Bobby Fuller Four) 
“Walk Right Back” (for the Everly Brothers) 
“Love Is All Around” (Mary Tyler Moore theme song) 

Bobby Vee: 

“Take Good Care of My Baby” ( by Jerry Allison and Sonny Curtis)
“More Than I Can Say” (written by Jerry Allison, Crickets' drummer)

Buddy Holly:

"Wishing"
"That'll Be the Day"

Gary Rue: A Brief Biography 

A performer and composer, Gary has been playing music for audiences throughout the western hemisphere since the mid-sixties, beginning with various town halls in the upper Midwest and graduating to East Coast ‘tent’ tours that included the Big Apple (Carnegie Hall as music director and duet partner for Gene Pitney) and on to far flung points in Canada and the Caribbean. Early along the way, Mr. Rue began writing music of his own, and was rewarded with some of his songs being recorded by (among others) Nick Lowe and Helen Reddy, as well as many prominent regional artists. He is the author of nearly 90 scores for music theater (including The Stinky Cheese Man, which toured the US and China with Dallas Children’s Theater), is a 2010 Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Inductee and an active touring musician and educator. 

Composer (and vocalist/arranger/producer) for: 

Mall of America’s “There’s a Place For Fun In Your Life” 
Paul Wellstone’s 1996 campaign theme “We Can Do Better” 
Isaac Misrahi’s Target campaign “Cross Country" 
Hormel Co. “Pam, Don’t Take My SPAM” 

Awards 

1985 Minnesota Music Award, Multi-Media 
2010 Inductee Mid-America Music Hall of Fame 
2010 Inductee Minnesota Music Hall of Fame 
2012 IVEY Award, Music Direction, “Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story” 

PRESS 

“…graceful, plaintive melodies.  Gary’s music is…very melodic, very beautiful.” 
Minneapolis Star Tribune 

“…songs carry the craft  and know-how of someone who has listened to and learned from some of pop’s best lyricists and melody makers.” 
(Twin Cities) City Pages 

…vibrant, catchy, exciting melodies.” 
(San Francisco) Bay Area Express 

“…these songs are a clear cut above the usual…each one features at least one major-league moment, phrase or hook…” 
Minneapolis Star Tribune 

“Super songs…coarse, energetic poetry and unexpected vulnerability.” 
San Jose Mercury News 

"Some of the best music I’ve heard in eons.” 
Golden Gate (San Francisco)