Winter Dance Party (Night 1), Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, IA- 1/29/26

Winter Dance Party Night 1
Surf Ballroom
Clear Lake, IA
Jan. 29th, 2026

This is a "Midwest Sounds" recording (MWS403)

Lineage: Zoom H1Essential (32-Bit Float)

-Feel free to remaster, share freely anywhere else, or convert to MP3. Please don't sell it or profit from it in any way. If you enjoy this show, support the artist by buying/streaming their music, attending a show or buying merch.

More pictures here: Link

Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50s

http://www.richieleeproductions.com/

1. Intro
2. C'mon Everybody (Eddie Cochran cover)
3. Somethin' Else (Eddie Cochran cover)
4. Tallahassee Lassie (Freddy Cannon cover)
5. Palisades Park (Freddy Cannon cover)
6. Tossin' and Turnin' (Bobby Lewis cover)
7. Poor Little Fool (Rick Nelson cover)
8. It's Up to You (Rick Nelson cover)
9. In Dreams (Roy Orbison cover)
10. Crying (Roy Orbison cover)
11. Only the Lonely (Roy Orbison cover)
12. Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)
13. All My Love (Oh Boy) (Sonny West cover)
14. Peggy Sue (Buddy Holly cover)
15. Rave On! (Sonny West cover)
16. Chantilly Lace (The Big Bopper cover)
17. Come On, Let's Go (Ritchie Valens cover)
18. Donna (Ritchie Valens cover)
19. La bamba (Trad.) (w/ Connie Valens)
20. Great Balls of Fire (Otis Blackwell cover)

Archive.org / Google Drive

This show takes you back to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll history! Iowa-grown Richie Lee started performing at a young age, and over the years has shared the stage with many rock ‘n’ roll greats. The band stays true to the sounds of the original songs and their artists, including Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Elvis Presley, and many more.

Austin Allsup

https://www.austinallsup.com/

1. Intro
2. Not Fade Away (The Crickets cover)
3. That'll Be the Day (The Crickets cover)
4. Big Boss Man (Jimmy Reed cover)
5. Maybe Baby (The Crickets cover)
6. Raining in My Heart (Boudleaux Bryant cover)
7. Some Days
8. (You're the) Devil in Disguise (Elvis Presley cover)
9. Heartbeat (Buddy Holly cover)
10. Bony Moronie (Larry Williams cover)
11. White Lightning (The Big Bopper cover)

Archive.org / Google Drive

Continuing the family musical legacy started by his father, Tommy Allsup – who played guitar with Buddy Holly on the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour and was a regular at the Surf Ballroom himself –Allsup is an alum of NBC’s “The Voice,” and has cultivated his own gritty style as an original artist.

Jay and the Americans

https://www.jayandtheamericans.com/

1. Intro
2. Only in America
3. Let's Lock the Door (And Throw Away the Key)
4. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) (Frankie Valli cover)
5. Up on the Roof (Carole King cover)
6. She Cried (Ted Darryl cover)
7. Some Enchanted Evening (Richard Rodgers cover)
8. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Barry Mann cover)
9. Let It Be Me (Gilbert Bécaud cover)
10. Cara Mia (David Whitfield cover)
11. Stand by Me (Ben E. King cover)
12. Walking in the Rain (The Ronettes cover)
13. Such a Night (Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters cover)
14. I Saw Her Standing There (The Beatles cover) > I'll Be Back (The Beatles cover) > Day Tripper (The Beatles cover)
15. Just Like Me (Paul Revere and the Raiders cover) > Kicks (Paul Revere and the Raiders cover)
16. Come a Little Bit Closer
17. This Magic Moment (The Drifters cover) > Cara Mia (David Whitfield cover)
18. Outro

Sandy Deanne- Vocals
Marty Sanders- Vocals, Guitar
Jay Reincke- Vocals
Darren Dowler- Vocals, Guitar
Lenie Colacino- Bass
Rick Van Horn- Drums

Archive.org / Google Drive

One of the most enduring vocal groups to emerge from the 1960s, known for their unforgettable hits and smooth harmonies. With a blend of old-school charm and modern energy, the group continues to captivate fans of all ages.

**************************
Tapers notes: Night 1 of 3 of the Winter Dance Party 2026. The Winter Dance Party is always one of the highlights of the year for me, and it always delivers. It's a great week to catch up with friends I haven't seen since last year, eat at restaurants I haven't eaten at in a year, and see some great bands. Some of them are there annually and it's always good to catch up with them, as well as see some new bands I would have never gotten a chance to if not for the WDP. Richie Lee and Austin Allsup were solid as always, they've become staples of the WDP, and really seem to embrace their Clear Lake "family" as much as we embrace them. Jay and the Americans were great, a lot of these bands from the 50's have no original members left and tour as a cover band more than anything, but the band still has two originals left (Sandy & Marty). As with last years recordings, these are not perfect, I set my recorder in one place and let it go for the night. So, keep that in mind when listening, these are not being advertised as "A+" recordings or anything, just a document of a moment in time, flaws and all.

"Got a mind to ramble, got a mind to roam
I'm travelin' light and I'm slow coming home"