Corning Native: Duane Eddy - Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Welcome to CorningTwang.com

What is the Corning Duane Eddy Circle?

Based in Corning, New York

Our goal is to build awareness of Duane Eddy being born in Corning, how great he was, and to establish something permanent to recognize him as an important Corningite. And have fun doing it.

Note: We began on April 4, 2024. Duane knew we had started the group and was enthusiastic, but sadly, he passed away not longer after. We chose the name Corning Duane Eddy Circle following in the footsteps of the long-established international Duane Eddy Circle based in the U.K. They have a popular Facebook group, website, publish a newsletter called Twangsville and hold an annual conference in May. Duane preferred the term circle for his fans and music lovers.

NEW DATES!

2026: Meetings will take place the 2nd Thursday of the month, at 3-4 pm at the Corning library.

✔️January 8

✔️February 10

✔️March 10

✔️April 9

✔️May 7

June 11

July 9

August 13

Sept 10

Oct 8

Nov 12

Dec 10

For more details, contact Linda Reimer at the Corning library: Linda Reimer

Acquisitions Librarian

reimerl@stls.org
607-936-3713 ext. 2412

Wish list:

Please spread the word that Duane was born in Corning
Stories you may have about Duane
or how his music made a difference to you
Did you learn to play guitar using one of his songs?
Were you at the Chemung County Fair in 1962 and heard him and his band play?
Did you go to school with him in Bath or Penn Yan?
Memorabilia you may have that we could photograph (or possibly display), like album cover or sheet music
A signature Duane Eddy 6120 Gretsch guitar
Support for stickers, signs and other fun things
To Donate, contact Frank Acomb at
Check out the Historial Marker which was installed on Sat Sept 20th 2025 at 2 pm during Harvest Fest in Corning's Centennial Park behind the Clock Tower off Centerway Square on the path to the walking bridge. For details, click here.

The Corning Duane Eddy Circle Organizers

2017 Duane with Frank Acomb and Rich Negri in Corning Centerway Square---(left to right) Past Corning Mayor Rich Negri, Duane Eddy, Frank Acomb, his host for the visit. Frank interviewed Duane over the years for his radio and TV show "Frankly Speaking" and they became friends. Frank advocated for Duane to be inducted into the Steuben County Hall of Fame, which he received in 2020. "He's not only a legend, he's a great guy." ---Frank Acomb, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Steuben County Hall of Fame 2020 Watch Duane's acceptance speech here.

Barbara Blumer, artist and local author of the recent People Wall book ---"Duane Eddy is another great example of the interesting people who have lived, worked or played in the Corning area. Duane's story is fascinating. He was a true change maker in the history of music." --Barbara Blumer, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Griffin Bates, our Steuben County Historian--Griffin says that in history circles right now, what's important is a sense of place. --Griffin Bates, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Linda Reimer, back in 1985, age 19 -- "I came to appreciate the founders of American rock and blues by a rather circuitous route - I first discovered The Beatles and other British Invasion groups; and in trying to learn all about the Beatles and their music, came across Eric Clapton and then listened to the music he created in the 60's and then, from reading what The Beatles and Clapton had to say about the musicians that influenced them started listening to American rock and blues masters like Chuck Berry, Duane Eddy, Muddy Waters, B. B. King etc. I do remember reading somewhere, sometime in the early 1980s, and I think it was in Guitar Player magazine, that Duane Eddy was born in Corning, and then consulting my trusty Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock n' Roll that confirmed that fact - and thinking, wow, that is cool! I still own the same guitar seen in the photo and even the same guitar strap." -- Linda Reimer, librarian and local history enthusiast, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Duane with Dick and Marilyn Puccio in Anaheim, California--"We met Duane and his wife at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) trade show a few years ago. He was at the Gretsch booth. When he saw Corning on our badge he gave us a big hug. He and his wife are very gracious people." -- Dick Puccio, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Marich Music is a blend of their names: Mar-ich for Marilyn and Richard Puccio, retired owners. They opened in July 1974. Marich Music recently celebrated 50 years in business.

Ben Borkowski, current owner of Marich Music store on Market Street in Corning, musician and music teacher ---"Guitar is the new piano." -- Ben Borkowski, Corning Duane Eddy Circle

Highlights from our first two years

Permanent Historical Marker in Centennial Park

Dedication ceremony with Poster, Proclamations, Program, Quotes from guitarists & Key to the City

Library display with handouts including lifesize cut out of Duane

Market Street window displays

Stickers

Miniature orange "Duane Eddy" Gretsch guitar key rings made on the library 3D printer

Website (CorningTwang.com)

Lots and lots of Research

Obtaining Duane's Rock &Roll Hall of Fame induction video and posting it on YouTube

YouTube videos with closed captioning of Duane's local interviews on Frankly Speaking and the Steuben County Hall of Fame acceptance speech

T Shirts at Marich Music Store

Presentation to Rotary International Corning Chapter

Press for Duane's birthday, his memorial and the historical marker dedication ceremony

Attendance of the Nashville Grand Ole Opry Duane Eddy Tribute

Participation in the annual online Duane Eddy Convention

Establishment of Duane Eddy archives in Corning library, thanks to donation of historical Twangsville newsletters

People Who Have Participated in One Way or Another

If I overlooked someone, please let me know who to add. ---Barbara

Dick Puccio, retired owner of Marich Music store

Dave Smith, owner of record store back in the day

Dr. John Wahlig, lived in Bath, knew him as a child

David Higgins, local artist and writer

Richard McAlpin, author

Linda Reimer

Barbara Blumer

Jon Carpenter, Haughey Memorials

Joy at Haughey

Mark Ryckman, City Manager

DPW, Josh Jayne, Dominic Morea, Matt Swift

Frank Acomb

Ken Crozier

Ben Borkowski

Brett Steeves, mural artist

JH Designs, Jeremy Hogan

Ginny Goon, Gaffer Brick Program manager, now retired

Nate Basch, Gaffer

Pauline Emery, head of the library/Rotary member

Robin Lash, library 3D printer

Marshall Hyde, PR Library

Griffin Bates, Steuben County Historian

Sue Benedict, attended his 4th grade assembly concert and had a crush

Kitty Rolfe, widow of Bob Rolfe, writer/The Leader

Steuben County Historical Society, Kirk House

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

C-PP Historical Society

Cortland Historical Society, Sophie and Tabitha

Chemung County Historical Society, Rachel

Yates County History Center, Jonathan

Avoca Historical Society, City Clerk,

Fred Fuller, in Kindergarten with him (confirm)

Marilyn Grigsby, Birthday party photo and article 1959

Rich Negri -- past Mayor of Corning

Bill Boland, past Mayor of Corning

Southside Neighborhood Association

Richard Avvampato

Steve Turner, cousin of Duane

Del Fenstermeister, owner of The Brick

Corning Rotary Club

Fox TV Station

Marich Music

Gaffer District

Arthur Moir

Jim McDowell

WETM Joe Mason

The Leader Jeff Smith

Annie Bickham, truck to pick up cut-out

Lin Gardner

Carolyn Satterlee and cousin, Barbara Shafer, 1962 Chemung County Fair

Haverling Schools, Jill Gandino

Alumni, Debbie Deatf Bottoni (sp)

Guy and Linda Reid, album

Mike Henry, Coolidge connection

Musical Instrument Museum in Arizona

Dan Aloi, writer, 1994 article

Paula Ksionsyk, came to meeting, 1962 Chemung County Fair

Brown's Cigar Store, poster

AJ's Hair & Makeup, poster

Michael Marks, Opry recordings

Ethan Banks, Gaffer

Catherine Price, Gaffer

Multi Media, life size cut out

Donors: Mark Ryckman, Linda Reimer, Barbara Blumer, Mayor Bill Boland, Kristin Swain, Gil Sweet, Lisa Brown, Larry Matysiak, SNA, Kay Nash, Lin Gardner, Dick Puccio, Robert Avampatto (sp), Ken Crozier, John Wahlig, Josh Acomb, Steve Acomb, Diane Bennett, Tom Blumer, David Blumer, Peter & Andrea Bocko, Deputy Mayor Jeff Clark, Vicki Hoover, Dr. Richard Kapral, Donald Levantovitch, Sharon McEathron, Alison Merkl & Darby Webster, Anne Jennings Paris, Assemblyman Phil Palmisano, Theresa Puccio, Bonnie Ellis Sprague, Cheryl & Denis Sweeney, John Ulrich & Lynn Pifer, Deborah Wade, Anonymous

Quotes: Ritchie Blackmore, JD McPherson, Tommy Emmanuel, Deke Dickerson, Albert Lee< Marty Stuart, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Greg Harris for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Arthur Moir for the International Duane Eddy Circle

Building Awareness

Displays on Market Street, Downtown Corning

This is what we call the Duane Eddy Cut Out, painted by local artist, David Higgins, April 2024

l to r: Frank Acomb, Barbara Blumer, David Higgins, the cut out, Linda Reimer

In the "Frankly Speaking" Studio Window

April until September 2024

In the Marich Music Window

October 2024 - December 2025

Playlist by Linda for the library's Listening Post (April 26, 2024)

See Playlist is provided by Linda Reimer, librarian, Southeast Steuben County Library, in Corning, New York. (And member of Corning Duane Eddy Circle.) It was published by the library on his birthday, April 26, 2024.

YouTubes of "Frankly Speaking" Interviews -- In his words

YouTube of Duane's acceptance of Steuben County Hall of Fame

Birthday Press Releases April 26, 2024

Hornell Sun

Linda's Local History post, 2024

Reaches over 2000?

Local Tributes (RIP April 20, 2024)

Stickers produced locally

Black version of our 3 inch sticker

White version of our 3-inch sticker

Created Corning Twang website

Condolences to Deed

Proposal to Mountain Home (did not happen yet)

Part of SNA Presentation (March 2025)

Presentation for Rotary International Corning Chapter (April 2025)

Linda's presentation goes here

We forgot to take photos except after we were done. Maybe Rotary has some?

Ben Borkowski played Duane Eddy songs

Linda Reimer gave a PowerPoint presentation

Rotary Andy Rochester

John Wahlig talked about how he used to play with Duane when they lived in Bath

T-shirts by Ben Borkowski of Marich Music

Dick Puccio in his Marich Music t-shirt

Ben made the t-shirts and this is his display in Marich Music

Linda's "From 2nd Street to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" display at the library (photos, memorabilia, handouts, life-size cutout)

3D Printer Mini Duane Eddy Guitars by Robin at the library

Need a photo of Robin making them on the 3D printer

Research & Collecting from People Who Knew Duane

Fred Fuller provides Kindergarten photo (Dec 2025)

1943-1944 Kindergarten. Photo courtesy of classmate Fred Fuller. Fred thinks Duane is "the kid in the 2nd row, next to last on the right, with his head slightly turned. " (We'll try to verify that.) Haverling School, Bath, New York

Probably a photo sent to his aunt after he moved to AZ. Maybe age 13. Still researching this photo.

Visit from Duane's maternal first cousin 1x removed, Steve Turner, to our meeting

These are the photos that he gave us from his grandmother's things. Steve's grandmother was Duane's Aunt Mary Granger Turner. They share a great/grandmother, Grace Granger.

Press photo c. 1962

Clipping from 1962

Contacted Rich McAlpine for his Duane Interview & Obtained Photos of Duane as a Young Boy

8th grade

Penn Yann Academy photos - provided by Yates County History Center

7th Grade

CoBakco Bakery Research --- Cortland Historical Society

Did George Harrison tryout for the Beatles on a Duane Eddy tune? The answer was no but he named his band the Rebel Rousers and was a big fan.

Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes Album (purchased) Liner notes

"The Day He Was Born" April 26, 1938 The Corning Leader newspaper clippings and PDF-- sent to Duane

Genealogy Duane family tree research

They lived at 389 East 2nd Street, near Park Ave, near Denison Park.

Shown here in 2023, the Eddy house (left) is blue and a rental, a duplex. Owners live in HH. Current tenant(s) unknown.

Duane's Newspaper Corner Store story

Dr. Wahlig Knew Him as a Child in Bath

Marilyn Grigsby Provides Age 8 Birthday Party photo and clipping (Jan 2026)

Where he lived in Bath and went to elementary school and his first performance

Sue attended his school performance

Later Sue brought all of her Duane Eddy 45s from her extensive collection and donated them to us.

Where he lived in Guyanoga and the last summer and his years at Penn Yan Academy

1959 Tour Rochester Stop and Bob Rolfe Interview

Jesse Colter

The 1962 Chemung Fair Headliner - Newsclippings and interviews

1994 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Archives of Twangsville at the Corning library (thx to Jim McDowell)

PHoto of Twangsvilles goes here

Connecting Beyond Corning

Frank speaks at the "Remembering Duane" Online Convention (May 2024)

Nashville visit for the Duane Eddy Tribute by Circle member, Barbara Blumer (April 2025)

Peter Frampton, x and Joe B.

The McCrorys (sp)

The Doctor Mark and Nancy who sent us copies of the music

Vince Gill with x

Frank speaks at the Online Convention (May 2025)

Frank speaks at the Online Convention (May 2026) - In Progress

Something Permanent: Historical Marker Project

Collected lots of statue examples (Dick Puccio) (maybe someday, but not now)

Explored Sidewalk Star options (with Gaffer and Haughey Memorials)

Sidewalk Star cost and feasibility (decided not best option)

Explored Sign Entering the City options

Explored Fountain idea (Bill Boland)

Explored Historical Marker options - easy to do and affordable

Richard Avvampato attends meeting and shares how SNA made their historical marker (Oct 2024) --

Meeting with City Manager Mark Ryckman - Barbara, Frank and Dick (Jan 14 2025)

Decision to make a historical marker (vs. sidewalk star or other options) (Jan 2025)

Noodling the wording for a marker (Nov 2024)

This was our computer mock-up that was a prototype. It turned out looking pretty much like this.

Catskill Castings order for sign (Jan 2025)

www.facebook.com/catskillcastings/

Frank Acomb sets up bank account and Venmo

DPW Installation of the Marker (May 2025)

Fundraising and Donations -- we exceeded our goal. Thank you.

"Undercover" Marker from May to September 2025 creating interest

Frank and Barbara promote the Dedication on TV Frankly Speaking

Thank you notes were sent to all who contributed. With a sticker.

Need a better photo of the notecards

Posters Around Town

Invitation Postcards

Program

Collected Program Quotes from notable guitar players & others

Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony

Swag Table

Frank's Speech (see video)

Proclamations from dignitaries

Key to the City of Corning

Mayor Bill Boland and The City of Corning presented the Key to the City to Deed at the Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony, then shipped it to home in Nashville.

Unveiling

Deed's Thank you

Press Afterwards

Return to Home

Installation by DPW

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