Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Here Are Some Facts About Buck Owens, A True Legend In Country Music

Buck Owens Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens helped shape the sound of country music. The long string of chart-topping Buck Owens songs epitomizes the Bakersfield sound, providing a stand-in to the flourishing, string-heavy sound that once heavily influenced Nashville.

Of course, he led the genre’s way to TV on the long-running Hee Haw, which led viewers through a medley of country music and hayseed humor for nearly two decades.

Today, we’re going to remember Buck Owens‘ legacy with these facts you might not have known yet.

1. He’s a native of Sherman, Texas, United States. 

Born Alvis Edgar Owens Jr. on August 12, 1929, the country legend spent his early childhood years picking cotton.

2. He named himself Buck at age three. 

One day, Owens announced to his family that his name was Buck. He became Buck from then on! Buck was actually a donkey on the Owens farm.

3. He’s a self-taught musician. 

When Owens got his first electric steel guitar, he learned to play it by himself with the help of his father’s old radio adapted into an amplifier. Eventually, he added mandolin, horns, and drums to his repertoire.

4. He started his career in radio at a young age. 

When he was 14, Owens co-hosted a radio show with Theryl Ray Britten called Buck and Britt. The duo would play at local bars until they later became the resident musicians at a Phoenix bar called the Romo Buffet.

5. He became a truck driver. 

In the late 1940s, Owen worked as a truck driver, and his job took him through the San Joaquin Valley of California, where the town of Bakersfield, California, caught his attention and affection.

6. He got married at the young age of 19. 

In 1948, Owens married his first wife, Bonnie Campbell, and settled in Bakersfield, California, with their two sons. However, their marriage ended up in a divorce just a few years later. Owens married three more times throughout his career, but all marriages also led to separation. One of his three sons, Buddy Alan, followed in his footsteps and had a few country-music hits in the 1970s.

7. He’s a savvy investor. 

Owens saw his fortune grow – thanks to real estate and a radio station he had acquired throughout the years. In 1966, he also opened Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, a restaurant and concert venue that later became a landmark in Bakersfield.

8. He died in his sleep. 

On March 25, 2006, country fans mourned the death of Owens, who died in his sleep from a heart attack. He had been slated to perform at the Crystal Palace earlier that night but decided to cancel after feeling unwell. However, he met some fans on his way out, who said they drove all the way from Oregon just to see him perform that night. Owens swiftly returned to do the show.

Truly, there are only a few who can match Buck Owens. His career was one of the most astounding in the genre.

Latest Stories

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs performing a heartfelt rendition of Hank Williams' gospel classic 'I Saw the Light' at the Opry, honoring its timeless legacy.

Josh Turner and Sonya Isaacs’ Soulful Rendition of “I Saw the Light” at the Opry

Some songs transcend time, and Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light” is one of those rare gems that feels as powerful today as it did when it was first penned. ...

Ben Haggard performing Merle Haggard's classic 'It's All in the Movies,' honoring his father's legacy while showcasing his own brilliant artistry.

Ben Haggard Breathes New Life into Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies”

Some songs never lose their shine. Merle Haggard’s “It’s All in the Movies” is one of those timeless tracks, and when his youngest son, Ben Haggard, steps up to perform ...

George Strait and Alan Jackson performing 'Remember When' and 'Troubadour' at the 50th CMA Awards, celebrating the timeless soul of country music.

The Iconic CMA Duet of Alan Jackson and George Strait

Some moments in country music aren’t just performances—they’re living history. George Strait and Alan Jackson took the stage together at the 50th CMA Awards in 2016, and it was one ...

Gene Watson performing his signature hit 'Farewell Party,' a hauntingly beautiful country classic that captures themes of loss and love.

Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” Is a Heartbreaker for the Ages

Some songs cut straight to the bone, and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party” is one of them. Released in 1979 as part of his Reflections album, Watson’s rendition of this country ...

Toby Keith’s Stunning Tribute to Hank Williams Jr. With “A Country Boy Can Survive”

In 2007, a remarkable event unfolded at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles when country, rock, and blues icons gathered to honor the legendary Hank Williams Jr. It was a ...

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge performing their duet 'Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends,' capturing the beauty and heartbreak of love's final moments.

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge’s Timeless Duet, “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”

When Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge sang together, their voices became an extension of their love story—beautiful, bittersweet, and undeniably real. Married in 1973 after a whirlwind meeting in an ...

Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performing 'I'll Fly Away,' a soulful masterpiece from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, showcasing gospel roots and timeless harmonies.

How Alison Krauss’ “I’ll Fly Away” Became a Hymn for the Ages

There’s a magic in Alison Krauss’ voice, an ethereal quality that feels wrapped in sunlight and steeped in tradition. When she joined forces with Gillian Welch to record “I’ll Fly ...

Craig Morgan delivering an emotional performance of 'The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost' on The Kelly Clarkson Show, moving the audience to tears as he honors his son's memory.

Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” Moves “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to Tears

In 2016, Craig Morgan faced a tragedy no parent should ever endure: the loss of his 19-year-old son, Jerry, in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake. Morgan’s heartbreak was profound, ...

Jesse Keith Whitley and his son Jackie performing a heartfelt duet of 'Don't Close Your Eyes,' honoring Keith Whitley's legacy with a touching family tribute.

Jesse Keith Whitley and Son Jackie Duet “Don’t Close Your Eyes” in a Heartfelt Tribute

At Lorrie Morgan’s Spicy Hot Chicken Coop in Panama City Beach, Florida, fans were treated to a magical evening when Jesse Keith Whitley performed his father’s iconic song “Don’t Close ...

Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson brought together through modern technology for a duet of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee,' blending their iconic voices in a timeless gospel masterpiece.

Willie Nelson Joins Patsy Cline for a Heavenly “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Patsy Cline’s tragic death in a 1963 plane crash left an irreplaceable void in country music. Her haunting voice, which gave us classics like “Cr𝐚zy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” ...