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
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.

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

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

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

2024 Birthday Press Releases

The Cut Out around town

Stickers

2024 Press Tributes after he passes away

YouTube videos with captions

CorningTwang website

Stickers

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

2025

More stickers

Rotary Presentation and Music

Memorial at Grand Old Opry - Barbara attended shared music

Historical Marker collaboration with the City of Corning

Displays on Market Street/ Cut-out by David Higgins

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

"Frankly Speaking" Studio Window

April until September 2024

Playlist by Linda for the library Listening Post

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.

Visit from Duane's maternal cousin

Tributes

Stickers

Black version of our 3 inch sticker

White version of our 3-inch sticker

Sue

Research

Videos of Interviews -- In his words

Nashville visit for Duane Eddy Tribute by Circle member, Barbara Blumer

T-shirts by Ben Borkowski of Marich Music

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