Texas Musician Top Ten: Buck Owens (#8)

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Oh, is that infuriating. I could’ve been somewhere else this entire week! The civilian allergist called about 24 hours before my appointment and canceled it because they hadn’t notified the VA that my referral had expired. At least the VA isn’t at fault this time. I’ll contemplate things while giving you another great Texas singer. And, Linda? If I have to tell you “no!!!” just by the mention of his name, you deserve the migraine. #8: Buck Owens A dinosaur Victrola Listening to Buck Owens (CCR, “Lookin’ Out My Back Door”) Robbie Fulks said that, when he released his song called “The Buck Starts Here,” Buck Owens thanked him by sending him a t-shirt that said “Buck Owens’,” possessive apostrophe included. He said he preferred that to the red, white, and blue guitar Owens sent John Fogerty in gratitude for the above-quoted reference. You know Buck. If you think you don’t, just remember that the Beatles covered one of his songs (“Act Naturally”). The fact that he had to wait until 1996 for his Country Music Hall of Fame induction speaks volumes to the anti-Bakersfield bias (he was eligible in the 80s, based on the 25-year career start rule). That’s okay, he didn’t need Nashville. Bakersfield needed him more, so he was exactly where he needed to be. Country music was much better because he and Bakersfield gave us a viable alternative to the “Nashville Sound.” Buck Owens Born Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. August 12, 1929, Sherman Died March 26, 2006, Bakersfield (heart attack) (age 76) HALLS OF FAME: Country Music, Nashville Songwriters Buck does bluegrass! “Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms,” featuring Buck’s right-hand man Don Rich on the fiddle: