FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 28, 2019

DEAR JERRY: It has been brought to my attention that one of your older syndicated columns suggested our Chamber office as a contact for information regarding the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. How right you are!

However, you were given incorrect information [by a journalist at an Iowa newspaper] about the marker at the crash site north of Clear Lake. It is made of steel — not stone — and it is in its proper place. It is not, as you were told, being repaired or cleaned, etc.

As you suggested, interested parties may feel free to contact us for information and maps with regard to either the crash site or the Surf Ballroom.

There is much going on in the Clear Lake area. Check us out!
—Mary C. Alexander, Director of Tourism, Clear Lake Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Clear Lake, Iowa

DEAR MARY: On behalf of many readers who will no doubt contact you and eventually visit Clear Lake (as I have), I thank you for writing.

DEAR JERRY: David Jansen, the actor who starred in TV's "The Fugitive," made an album that I heard just one time, around 1969. I believe the title to be something like "Enchanted Island," or "Forbidden Island."

Please give me the correct title and any other info you have about this.
—Robert S. Brown, Lutz, Fla.

DEAR ROBERT: Since I received a nearly identical inquiry from another Floridian — Ruby Martin of Lakeland — here's the lowdown on David Janssen's (note correct spelling) album for both of you:

On this mid-1965 release, titled "Hidden Island" (you knew it was some kind of island), David is the narrator of "Story of Love's Secret Moments and Tender Emotions." Music on the disc (Epic LN-24150 mono, or BN-26150 stereo) is provided by a band with the prototypical islandese moniker: the Tradewinds.

Though David Janssen didn't make the charts with his recorded effort, several who were TV and film stars first, who then made hit records — including Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan, Shelley Fabares, Paul Petersen, Mike Douglas, Bobby Sherman, John Tesh, etc.

However, the first TV celebrity to have a No. 1 hit, during the rock era, is Bill Hayes. He did it in early 1955 with the million-selling "Ballad of Davy Crockett."

Though Bill never had another Top 20 hit, he did continue his acting career, for many years in the recurring role of Doug Williams on the daytime soap opera, "Days of Our Lives."