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Later I studied law at Lamar College, and was a member of the band and chorus. During this time I worked part time at KTRM radio, where in 1949 I was hired full-time and left school. In 1952 I married Adrianne Joy from Montegut, Louisiana; in December 1953 our daughter, Debra Joy, was born. Earlier that year I was promoted to Supervisor of Announcers at KTRM. In March 1955 I was draftedinto the United States Army. My basic training was at Fort Ord,California after which Ispent two years as a radar instructor at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon my discharge at the rank of Corporal in March 1957, I returned to KTRM radio, where I held down the "Dishwashers' Serenade" shift from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

One of the station's sponsors wanted me for a new time slot and suggested a gimmick for the show. I noticed all the college kids doing a dance called The Bop, so I decided to become known as "The Big Bopper". I kicked off a new radio show from 3 to 6 p.m., and soon The Big Bopper became the station's program director.

In May of 1957, I broke the record for continuous on-the-air broadcasting by eight minutes. I went a total of five days, two hours and eight minutes, playing 1,821 records and taking showers during five-minute newscasts. During the marathon I lost 35 pounds (16 kg). KTRM paid me $746.50 for my overtime and I quickly hit the sack for 20 hours.

Then things changed, I had a number 1 hit with "Chantilly Lace", hooked up with Buddy Holly and took a wonderful but short plane ride...

I told Buddy that I thought taking the BUS was a better idea because the weather was really bad...

"No JP, let's take the plane it's faster!", he said.

Well he had a point, we hit the ground so damn fast you wouldn't believe it!!