18th Annual Buck Owens Birthday Bash Wednesday at the Continental Club
Back in the day (around 1951, to be specific), a young Buck Owens found himself in the midst of a burgeoning country music scene in Bakersfield, CA, where his own success would last several years. He got his first record deal there with Capitol Records in 1957, moved away when his first single didn’t do so well, but returned in 1959 with hits like “Second Fiddle” and “Under Your Spell Again,” and soon formed his own band, The Buckeroos.
Years later, in 1969, Owens teamed up with Roy Clark to host the popular, long-running syndicated country variety show Hee Haw. He left the show in 1986, although it continued on through 1994. Owens hit a slow spot in his career in the 80s until longtime admirer Dwight Yoakum asked his idol to record “The Streets of Bakersfield” with him.
In 1996, he was elected to both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Owens passed away on March 25, 2006.
Local musicians will gather this Wednesday night to pay tribute to the great country music star, who would have turned 80 this week, at the 18th Annual Buck Owens Birthday Bash, hosted by the Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Center for Child Protection. You can two-step to your favorite Buck Owens tunes and contribute to a great cause. Highly recommended.
