Buddy Holly And The Crickets

Rockin' the Ames Straw Poll

Iowa's Ames straw poll is a major test of organizational strength for GOP presidential candidates. The winner can expect a bump in the polls and fundraising numbers, while the losers could see their entire candidacies die . With so much on the line the campaigns work extremely hard to get their supporters to come out to the straw poll.

They'd prefer not to call it a bribe, rather simply "incentivizing."

Free transportation from just about anywhere in the state. Free burgers, barbecue and ice cream. Free tickets to the straw poll, which run $30. Often there's even free lodging, and there is always room for top-shelf entertainment.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann , for instance, is bringing in country star Randy Travis .

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum had to shush an audience member at a town hall in Ames Monday morning when she almost spilled the beans about his entertainment roster.

Later in the day Santorum's camp blasted out an email playing to Iowa's heartstrings by bringing in the Crickets, Buddy Holly's famous backup band from the 1950's.

Buddy Holly died in his prime back in 1959 when the small prop plane he was riding on with fellow musicians The Big Bopper - whose son will also play for Santorum -- and Richie Valence went down near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Don McLean immortalized the day Holly died in the song "American Pie."

This is an event that has great sentimental value for many Iowans.

However hard-boiled it is to point this out, the memory of Buddy Holly's tragic plane crash might not be the best political metaphor for a candidate who has found it tough going to get his campaign off the ground.

The Big Bopper JR. and The Crickets to Entertain Santorum ...

Former Senator Rick Santorum announced today he and his family will culminate their “Courage to Fight for American Values” tour with a summer dance party that will bring the best of Iowa to the Ames event on Saturday, August 13th.

Headlining the “Santorum Summer Dance Party” at the Ames Straw Poll will bethe famed band of Buddy Holly, “The Crickets,” and the son of Rock-and-Roll legend “The Big Bopper.”  Known as staples in Iowa, particularly the community of Clear Lake, both “The Crickets” and “The Big Bopper Jr.” will take the stage throughout the day of the Ames Straw Poll. Each year, Clear Lake celebrates a Winter Dance Party to commemorate the last concert of Buddy Holly and the Crickets, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.

In addition to these family-friendly, Iowa fan-favorites, the Santorum’s will be offering straw poll attendees Iowa pork burgers for lunch.  To add a little touch of home, the Santorum’s will be handing out samples of their homemade “Presidential Peach Preserves” to all guests.  Prior to traveling to Iowa, the Santorum’s picked over 600 peaches from their family’s peach trees, peeled them, and made jam for all attendees to enjoy. The Santorum children will be handing out samples to attendees. In addition, the Santorum tent will have games for children and adults, and also feature additional Iowa musical talent.

“After three weeks of traveling across Iowa and meeting thousands of Iowans, we are excited to cap off our family trip with a day of fun in Ames,” said Senator Santorum.  ”We are all looking forward to eating, singing, and dancing along with the traditions that make summertime in Iowa the epitome the heart of the American experience.”

A more detailed line-by-line of entertainment and activities will be released later.

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