'Hee Haw' Co-Host Buck Owens, 76, Dies

[johnnie]

LOS ANGELES - Singer
Buck Owens, the flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped the sound of country music with hits like "Act Naturally" and brought the genre to TV on the long-running "Hee Haw," died Saturday. He was 76.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060325/ap_on_en_mu/obit_owens

[killerbush]

1. Damn!!!

I liked Buck in Hee Haw. I guess he's playing country music for God now.

:cry: :cry:

[DanCa]

2. Sad day .

I hated Hee Haw but I liked Buck Owens. Back in the day when country was worth listening too and before the Toby Keith's of the world ruled the C&W world.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

3. Aw, HELL.

I grew up in a household that played Chet Atkins (also in C&W Heaven), Buck, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline...all the legends, all the greats.

I always loved the story of how Dwight Yoakam orchestrated Buck's comeback in 1988 with the duet "Streets of Bakersfield." He essentially marched into Owens' office and announced "You're making a record."

Owens said that he admired Yoakam's swagger, and the reason he agreed to do the song was that he reminded him of himself when he was younger.

At one early point in Buck's career with the Buckaroos, he was harshly criticized by the Nashville music critics for sounding "too rock and roll" and "not country enough." Owens took out an ad in the trade papers, apologized, and renewed his commitment as a country artist.

His next single was Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

R.I.P., Buck...you broke the mold. Say hi to Chet for me.

:toast:

[ronnykmarshall]

16. Go BUCK!

There were so many assholes in the whole "Nashville" gang. If you didn't record or sound a certain way ... you weren't "country".

Buck showed their asses. He wrote some fantasic songs. People like the Beatles and Ray Charles recorded them.

I'm proud ol' Buck called Bakersfield his home. He was really our hometown boy.

[mitchum]

54. Buck's "Johnny B. Goode" screw you to Nashville has always been...

one of my favorite "screw you" gestures.
Rest In Peace, Buck

[tularetom]

4. When I was a kid I had a job

on a survey crew that laid out all the driveways and walks for a house he was building near where my uncle lived. I remember he brought us lemonade one time. Sorry to see him go.

[mongo]

5. So sad...

Buck was a pioneer in his own right. I'm not a music theologian or anything, but he invented a sound that I think at the time was called "California Country".

He will be missed.

[Frank Cannon]

6. Growing up in my home town, you either watched "Hee Haw'...

or you just didn't watch TV on Saturday nights, because we only had one TV station in town. And so I grew up with Buck, Roy, Junior Samples and the Hager Brothers.

This is sad.

[catzies]

55. Yes, everyone who grew up with Hee Haw is sad.

Shucks, even in South Florida in the 70s, we loved Hee Haw, I've always remembered it fondly, and know he was a giant.

And I now I live 100 miles south of Bakersfield and know what he means around here.

Godspeed with love, Buck Owens. O8)

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. I remember Buck appearing on Danny WIlliams' show in OKC as a kid

And singing:

I got the hungrys for your love
And I'm waitin' in your welfare line.

RIP, Buck. Act Naturally!

Am sure Danny is thinking of you even now...

[OKNancy]

8. 3-D Danny

That brings back memories.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. That and the Circle 4 Ranch with Foreman Scotty

I hear Danny is on KOMA in the AM now

[hollowdweller]

10. Austin City Limits had a tribute to the Bakersfield Sound

Had all thes young bands playing good music. They were doing old buck proud.

[cureautismnow]

11. Looking (Sadly) Out My Back Door

"Doo doo doo Lookin' out my back door.
There's a giant doing cartwheels a statue wearin' high heels.
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.
A dinosaur Victrola list'ning to Buck Owens."

-J. Fogerty

R.I.P., Buck

[Uncle Joe]

12. I liked Buck,

"Tall Dark Stranger" was my favorite song of his.

[flygal]

13. Oh no - I remember listening to him

My Grandpa - RIP loved him. RIP Buck

[ronnykmarshall]

14. It's like losing a family member to me.

I grew up in Bakersfield and Buck was always very cool when you'd see him around town. I remember a celb baseball game w/ the Bakersfield Dodgers when I was a kid. We were yelling at Buck and doing his wave (both hand up and wiggling your fingers and smiling), Buck's face just lit up and waved the "Buck wave" back at us.

One time I was working for a record store and need copies of the top 40 hits from his station (he had both a C&W station and a top 40 station) .... I went to the station and Buck was there in talking to the receptionist ... he said "Well, hi ya partner!". Even with my big ol' frizzy Lindsey Buckingham hair and Rolling Stones T-Shirt on, Buck didn't care. He really was a nice guy.

RIP Buck. :cry:

[lolly]

29. Ahh, Bakersfield

Hey, Ronnyk, what years were you in Bakersfield? I left in 78 and haven't been back much since then.

I grew up there too. Played in an orchestra with the sister of Owens' fiddle player--the one with the blue violin. How many degrees of separation is that?

I believe the country station at that time was KUZZ--but that may have changed later.

[ronnykmarshall]

40. 1961 - 1972 then 1977 - 1986

What schools did you go to?

[lolly]

47. 1960-78

West High School.

Emerson Jr. Hi

Roosevelt Elementary--damn, that seems like 100 years ago.

[ronnykmarshall]

49. WHS Class of 1979.

We're the Vikings of the Valley,
Standing true and bold.
Bravely waving are our colors,
Shining green and gold.

Friendships we will cherish always,
Upward our goals will lie.
To you we proudly sing our praises
Hail all Hail
West High.

[lolly]

50. Thank you, Coke Smith

Our first band teacher

For that immortal alma mater

Wonder if he's still around?

[ronnykmarshall]

62. I'm not sure if he's still there.

Did you grad in '78 or '79?

You probably remember my big car crash in 1978 during finals in 1978.

I was the guy in the green Camero.

[stevedeshazer]

44. I'm a huge Buck Owens fan. This is a really sad day for me.

What a great guy. He was my hero.

I'm going to go hug my Fender Telecaster right now in memory of Buck, and Don Rich too.

Great photo. :(

[leftofthedial]

15. bummer

he was a giant. Especially back in the old Buckaroos days when Don Rich was alive.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

17. Other Hee-Haw cast members that have passed on....

-Haw Cast that have passed on
<http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=pr&FSctf=139>

History of Hee-Haw
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hee_Haw>

Bio of Buck Owens
<http://www.heehaw.com/Cast-BuckOwens.htm>

[Frank Cannon]

56. Weird how 'Grandpa' Jones outlived the other deceased...

by more than a decade, and he was just a couple of weeks older than Archie Campbell!

[Ilsa]

18. Buck Owens and Roy Clark were excellent musicians.

Sorry to hear he's gone.

While visiting my dad, I saw Lorie Morgan singing a PAtsy Cline song on GOO. Not that anyone could do a PC song justice, but she wasn't that good of a singer. But she had breasts that defied gravity in a lovely halter dress, so at least 50% of the audience liked her.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

21. Roy Clark was playing for major country singers by age 16...

...and had mastered the guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Here's his bio:

<http://www.heehaw.com/Cast-RoyClark.htm>

[Solly Mack]

19. Oh damn

:(

[Roland99]

20. Sa-lute!

:(

[ronnykmarshall]

22. The Baron of Bakersfield

http://www.salon.com/bc/1999/02/23bc.html

[CreekDog]

23. I'm heartbroken to hear this

But I guess Buck and Don Rich are reunited again in heaven and that must sound pretty nice up there.

The other thing I liked about Buck was that he'd always have Don Williams play at the Crystal Palace, even though Don hasn't been played on most country radio in 15 years. But I guess Buck knew how that goes.

RIP Buck!

[ronnykmarshall]

27. You'll love this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHeUxzN0Qag&search=buck%20owens

[ronnykmarshall]

28. My mom said he performed last night

I guess every friday night, Buck would perform at the Crystal Palace. Mom was getting her nails done (she lives in Bakersfield) and the girl doing her nails said that Buck sang last night.

[johnnie]

32. Yeah

I heard a friend of his on the news earlier and he said Buck played last night, but they could tell he wasn't feeling well.

[Bridget Burke]

57. After Don Rich died, Buck's music lost a lot of its fire...

Don played guitar & sometimes fiddle; & he sang the high parts. Then he died in a motorcycle accident in 1974.

I enjoyed Hee Haw, too. But Buck & the Buckaroos were HOT in their day.

[Elwood P Dowd]

25. Thanks for the link

That was a "must read" article.

[DarbyUSMC]

24. It's "Cryin' Time" but maybe he's "Together Again" with String,

Grandpa, Junior et al. "Hillbilly Heaven" is gettin' full.

[Bigmack]

26. I grew up in Motown...

... during "those years"..... but I knew & loved Buck Owens, Roy Clark, "Chit Akins", and Flatt and Scruggs, too.

I hear "Proud to be an American" or "Independence Day" and I puke.

[lolly]

30. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs?

Damn, I though my mom was the only one in the world who had a Flatt and Scruggs album. Whatever happened to them? Is either one still alive? I heard something about some feud arising in their later years.

And Tennessee Ernie Ford.

And who was it who sang "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley / Hang down your head and cry / Hang down your head Tom Dooley / Tomorrow, you're going to die."

Heard that over and over again in our house.

[johnnie]

31. Flat and Scruggs are legends

Lester died in the 70s, but Earl is still alive. A few years ago he had a semi-hit with a remake of Foggy Mountain Breakdown.

[Penndems]

33. Earl Scruggs is 82 and still touring with his own band

Lester Flatt passed away in May 1979.



************************************************************************************
"Tom Dooley" is an old ballad. It's been recorded by many artists, but the most famous rendition is by a folk group called The Kingston Trio.

Link: http://www.thekingstontrio.com/

[Media_Lies_Daily]

34. Scruggs is still alive and performing...his wife died recently....

...here's some background on Scruggs...

<http://www.earlscruggs.com/>

...and here's a CD he released in 2001...note the artists on the cover...it's a great CD!

<http://www.earlscruggs.com/1701892.html>

[rucky]

37. Kingston Trio did "Tom Dooley"

at least the version I know.

[Bigmack]

51. Whippersnapper!!

Tom Dooley was done by the Kingston Trio.... About 1959.

Flatt's dead, but Scruggs was alive in 2003 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"Come and listen to my story 'bout a man named Jed...."

[lolly]

52. Ah, I wasn't born yet

Not for one more year--

But my mom played that old album on our big clunky "record player" over and over again.

Actually, it may have been from some sort of collection thing--Time Life greatest country hits or something.

[Bake]

60. No Lester and Earl feud, to my knowledge

Earl left the band to play with his sons years ago, but I'm not aware of any feud between them.

Now there was some serious ill will between Lester and Bill Monroe, after Flatt & Scruggs left Monroe's band, The Blue Grass Boys, to form their own group. Big Mon didn't speak to Lester for YEARS; but they smoothed it over after years, when Lester performed with Monroe at Beanblossom.

And to get back on topic, RIP Buck. He was a good 'un and will be missed.

Bake

[Stephist]

35. Country Music has been dead for years...

so to lose another one of our legends right now that reminded us just how great this music once was is really devistating. Thankfully many of his great albums are now on CD (thank you Buck and sundaized) Thank you so much Buck. You will be missed:cry:

[rucky]

36. "....and PPPFFT! you were gone."

we'll miss ya, Buck.

[CatWoman]

38. I'm a pickin'

and he's a grinnin'

[lolly]

48. More memories bubbling up

Where, where, are you tonight
Why did you leave me here all a-loone
I searched the world over and I thought I found true love
But you found another and . . .

[Stephist]

39. I just read where Cindy Walker has also died this weekend.

Just as sad and just as significant (what a lousy weekend for country music.)
(I don't normally ever recommend going to CMT's website because the last thing they know about is country music but the article is here about Cindy Walker)
http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1526976/20060324/walker_cindy.jhtml?headlines=true

Cindy Walker, one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in the history of country music, died Thursday (March 23) in her hometown of Mexia, Texas, following a lengthy illness. She was 87.


Born July 20, 1918 in Mart, Texas, Walker had the unique ability to write hits in a wide variety of musical styles ranging from hard-core country to pop. With some 500 songs to her credit, the hits include Bob Wills' "Bubbles in My Beer," "Cherokee Maiden" and "You're From Texas," Ernest Tubb's "Hey Mr. Bluebird" and "Two Glasses Joe" and Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)."...


In 1954, Walker and her mother moved back to Texas, and Walker began spending more time in Nashville. Although Arnold's 1956 recording of "You Don't Know Me" only reached No. 10 on the charts, their co-write is acknowledged as one of the greatest country classics of all time. Walker had additional success with Hank Snow's "The Gold Rush Is Over" and "The Next Voice You Hear" and George Morgan's "I Love Everything About You." Other Walker hits include Gene Autry's "Blue Canadian Rockies," Jim Reeves' "Distant Drums" and "Anna Marie," Sonny James' "Heaven Says Hello" and Jerry Wallace's "In the Misty Moonlight."...

What an awful weekend for country music:cry:

P.S. Willie Nelson's last CD was a tribute to Cindy Walker.

[stevedeshazer]

45. NOOO!!!

I didn't know this.

Cindy Walker was the most underrated songwriter there is.

Jeez, Buck and Cindy in the same week. :(

[mvd]

41. RIP

Traditional country music will live on because of people like him.

[arwalden]

42. Oh No! I Always Liked That Show!!

So long, Buck!

[Greylyn58]

43. That is so sad

Was a big fan of his and loved watching him on Hee Haw!

RIP Buck...

[HughBeaumont]

46. Doom, Despair, and Agony on ME!

I watched Hee Haw all the time with my parents in the 70s. That show was loved by a great deal of people just like Sesame Street and Peanuts. You will be missed, Buck. Say hi to Minnie.

[mitchum]

53. Rest In Peace, Buck...I'm gonna go crank up the Twin in memory of you

[yellowcanine]

58. Tiger by the Tail, by Buck Owens

I've got a tiger by the tail it's plain to see
I won't be much when you've got through with me
Well I'm losing weight and I'm turning mighty pale
Looks like I've got a tiger by the tail

Well I thought the day I met you you were meek as a lamb
Just the kind to fit my dreams and plans
Now the pace we're living takes the wind from my sails
And it looks like I've got a tiger by the tail

Well every night you drag me where the bright lights are found
There ain't no way to slow you down
I'm about as helpless as a leaf in a gale
And it looks like I've got a tiger by the tail

[libnnc]

59. When I was very little, we watched re-runs of

The Buck Owens Show. I think it aired just before Hee-Haw on Saturdays. I loved Buck Owens, (especially his guitar). He was an important part of my childhood. Porter and Dolly too.

[martymar64]

61. Godspeed Buck

Say hi to Minnie, Junior and Grandpa for me!