Buck Owens' pioneering, Bakersfield sound is all but forgotten today in country music. If people remember anything about Buck it's that he co-hosted "Hee Haw," a cornball country comedy show that had it's high and low points. And he had a bit of a comeback in the 90s thanks to Dwight Yoakum's hit with him, "The Streets of Bakersfield." But so much came before that--a string of true country hits that made him an international star. 21 #1 hits, most, if not all, with his "sideman", Don Rich. But if you watch any of these videos, you'll realize Don was his duo partner, adding a rich texture to songs ranging from "Together Again" to "Act Naturally." Don was Buck's collaborator and leader of The Buckaroos until 1974, when he was killed in a motorcycle accident. Don's death marked the end of the band and, without him, Buck's career declined considerably. He reportedly suffered a deep depression that lasted for his remaining years on "Hee Haw, which he came to think helped end his career--he was right. In the 1990s, Buck finally spoke about Don's death: "Don Rich was like a brother, a son and a best friend. Something I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think my music life ended when he did. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."Let's turn back the clock for a moment and enjoy one of country music's greatest duos, Buck Owens and Don Rich.
"Act Naturally" and "Down To The River"
"Above and Beyond"
"Love's Gonna Live Here"
"Together Again"
Porter Tubb
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