Everclear, The Marshall Tucker Band to headline Clovis Music Festival

Rock ’n’ roll legend Buddy Holly changed the world of music in the 1950s, crafting a sound unlike anything the world had heard before, and many of his songs were produced by Norman and Vi Petty in Clovis.

Since then, the city has held an affinity for the music genre, celebrating the sounds and legacy Buddy Holly brought to New Mexico.

Since 1987, the city of Clovis has brought attendees and performers together for a two-day musical festival to kick off spring and to remind residents and tourists alike that the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll resides inside New Mexico.

The Clovis Music Festival runs Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, at the Curry County Events Center.

“In rural communities, the biggest complaint is that there’s nothing to do,” said Robyn Snowberger, chairwoman of the Clovis Music Festival. “This is a great opportunity to be able to provide some entertainment for Clovis and the surrounding areas.”

When organizing the event, Snowberger and Ernie Kos, executive director for the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce, look for musical performers who are up and coming to let attendees get a taste of new music they might love.

This year, performers include Everclear, The Marshall Tucker Band, Saliva and Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers.

“Hopefully this will give them the opportunity to make it big in the entertainment industry, but it’s all about who would draw the crowd to come in and who people would want to see,” Snowberger said.

To highlight the event, Clovis will also host a Clovis Music Festival Street Dance. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 12, the Main Street of Clovis will come alive with local bands, food trucks and a costume contest from Grand Avenue to Eighth Street.

“What I’m really loving about this year’s festival is that we have more of an emphasis on local bands, so we’re gonna rock local,” Kos said.

Food trucks will also be on the scene to serve food and drinks, and guests will be able to participate in a costume contest, themed around Hollywood and musical stars like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and of course, Buddy Holly.

“We’re able to provide a festival that has a culture nobody else has,” Kos said. “A lot of rock ’n’ roll hits have happened right here in a studio on Seventh Street, and we want to celebrate the history of rock ‘n’ roll that happened right here over 50 years ago.”

Everclear, The Marshall Tucker Band to headline Clovis Music Festival