CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Center stage at the renowned Surf Ballroom, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee gave the bass guitar all he had: "Born to be Wild" followed by "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." Tweens, meanwhile, snapped cell-phone pictures of the 52-year-old candidate and occasional rocker.
"We're celebrating a lot of things," he said excitedly from the stage. "Get on your feet." The former governor of Arkansas was playing his dream venue Friday night, surrounded by friends and adored by the crowd.
Huckabee kept his campaign at the forefront, saying things are on a roll, with staff members raising more money than ever. They even had to hire more people to answer the phones, the candidate said between songs.
Since Oct. 1, the campaign had raised more than $800,000 - small change for some of the other candidates perhaps, but significant bucks for one who has had trouble breaking out of the second tier.
Outside, cars were still pulling up to the Surf Ballroom, with many concertgoers driving several hours to hear the candidate play with his band, Capitol Offense.
Chuck Laudner, executive director of Iowa's Republican Party, was tapping his foot to the music.
"Events like these help," Laudner said. "It's not your typical event but they'll be talkingabout it long after it's over."
From the stage, Huckabee reminded the crowd that it was important to show that "conservative Republican Christian believers can have as much fun as everyone else."
"He's a conservative but he can bring in wider support," said Adam Freed, 31, a Huckabee fan. "This could also help bring in young people." Still, not counting those who had their children with them, Freed was among the youngest in the crowd.
By 8:30 p.m., people began to head out.
"We've got other things to do," said John Laflin, 71, apologetically, as he sneaked out with his wife, Shirley. "And it's not really my speed. I'm a Frank Sinatra fan."
Huckabee's band has opened for Willie Nelson and Percy Sledge and played at President Bush's inaugural balls in 2000 and 2004. The band members worked in Huckabee's Arkansas administration during the dayand practiced in the basement of the governor's mansion at night.
It was Huckabee's longtime dream to play at the Surf Ballroom - a venue revered throughout the Midwest. Chuck Berry played the venue as did Jerry Lee Lewis and Ike and Tina Turner. Buddy Holly famously played his last concert at the ballroom on Feb. 2, 1959. The following day, Holly was killed in a plane crash along with performers Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson and the pilot.
Front Section, Pages 16 on 10/28/2007