Tinker Carlen: An Original Cricket

By Truman Godwin

This is a short biography of Tinker Carlen, a guitarist and singer in the world-famous Cricket band. It is a story of the origin of the Crickets and Tinker's involvement from the very beginning when Tinker, Buddy Holley, and other young musicians got together to "make music and entertain."

It is Tinker's story, not a copy of anything that's been written about the evolution of the Crickets, its individual members, or of their successes and failures. Some of Tinker's life experiences are related as he remembers the challenges of pursuing a musical career. Also included are many experiences of the band---some funny, some sad---as each member faces the problems of growing up and the unexpected cultural problems from people who didn't approve of their "rock-a-billy" style of music.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mathis B Rogers
• Release date: Jan 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466017368

Truman Godwin

Truman D. GodwinAUGUST 17, 1931– DECEMBER 4, 2020Truman was born in Vernon, Texas in 1931. After graduating from Lubbock High School in 1948, he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he majored in Electrical Engineering and Economics. He also studied British Literature and Business Law at the University of Texas. Truman was a Korean War veteran, and he was in the Telecommunications business for 52 years before retiring. He leaves behind his wife, Nancy, six children, and ten grandchildren. His favorite diversion was golf.His published works include: The Heritage of Luke, 666, and The End of the Row; a book of short stories, The Treasure of Chama Valley; a book of poetry, Beyond the Hedgerows; other miscellaneous magazine publications.He received the rights back to some of his books, and re-released them on his own and published them in Kindle and eBook editions also. Some of them he changed the names and covers.Find all of his books listed below.

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TINKER CARLEN: AN ORIGINAL CRICKET

By Truman Dayon Godwin

Copyright 2007 by Truman Dayon Godwin

Smashwords Edition 2012

Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

1946 & 1947

1948

1949

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955-1959

February 3, 1959 and Afterward

Epilogue

Endnotes

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The data for Tinker's story was collected from numerous taped interviews with him, plus additional personal memory notes he wrote specifically for my use. All facts regarding his life are from this material or by his personal testimony. References for all other material and sources are shown in the end notes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Buster Jones, a great musician, a well-known artist, and my friend, introduced me to Tinker and proposed this book. He also attended some of the interviews and asked questions related to music that were helpful in my research. I appreciate his contribution and thank him for his valuable input.

Preface

1937 was a year with many noteworthy events and circumstances. Many Americans were still suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, and money was tight. Besides the devastating economic problems of the times, there were other tragic and discouraging occurrences written in 1937's history: the dirigible Hindenburg exploded and burned when it arrived at Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 people; in the Far East, Japan invaded China and sank the U. S. Gunboat, Panay, in the Yangtze River; the German leader, Adolph Hitler, and his Gestapo became so powerful that no one, not even the courts, dared to interfere with their activities; religious suppression was common, and Jew-hating was encouraged; Germany, Italy, and Japan became allies, and this Alliance formed a foundation that would eventually consume the world in a dreadful war. On a more personal level, America's beloved and heroic Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot became lost over the Pacific Ocean during an attempt to make a round-the-world flight; they have never been found.

There was good news, too: the Golden Gate Bridge was finished and opened up to traffic; Walt Disney completed his first full-length animated file, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, and it was shown for the first time, much to the delight of everyone who saw it; the New York Yankees won the World Series for the sixth time and took the lead in total championships won; the Kentucky Derby was won by War Admiral; a drug called antihistamine was produced, which gave the medical profession potential for allergy treatment.

But the most important event for Jim and Irene Carlen occurred on January 1l, 1937: the birth of their fourth child, Hugh Carlen. They never imagined that this new child would someday be a prominent musician whose career would include composition, or that he would take part in the development of the Rock-and-Roll form of music, a genre that would sweep the world and cause immeasurable social changes. The impact of this type of music would be felt in the fashion world, in people's attitudes and lifestyles, and in their personal habits. It would also create new career opportunities for some, which would lead them to riches and notoriety.

Yet, there is a broader view of success, stardom, and fame that must be understood for one to appreciate the relative achievements of lesser known artists; for every musician that attains stardom status and an enviable pinnacle of fame and fortune, there are many others who assist them in their successful quest only to be lost to the public somewhere along the way.

Adoring fans often forget the talented musicians that supported their star during their early, unknown years, and who worked with them on their upward journey to fame. Usually, these important men and women become minor figures whose contributions are not recognized in proportion to their worth. In many cases, they and their works are forgotten completely.

When fans and music lovers listen to their favorite star perform, they normally don't think of the unknown musicians that dwelled tin that star's past, even though their talents influenced particular melodies, or created nuances of style, or produced different and meaningful chords that in mysterious ways became part of the star's repertoire and fame. To the credit of the forgotten people, and mainly because of their love of music, they continue in the field—some as teachers, some as composers, some as little known participants in the music world, and some as advisors to other aspiring artists.

This book spotlights one who has dedicated his life and musical genius for the enjoyment of others by sharing, teaching, and promoting those techniques and qualities he found to be good and enjoyable. Perhaps this abbreviated account of Tinker's life and experiences will lead readers to a greater appreciation of his contributions to the industry.

1938

Tinker's recollections of this year come mostly from his brother and sisters who especially remember the Depression years. They had chickens and a garden, like most people of those times, and they recall how Hugh would accompany his mother to the hen house. While she worked, he used a cotton stalk to chase the chickens around