The Streets of Bakersfield Are Emptier Today

Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens has passed away today. Okay, maybe this post is just for me, but I am certainly saddened by this news. He has gotten a hokey image because of his days hosting Hee Haw but I think it’s unfair (but of course, I actually like watching Hee Haw on DVD now, too). In the mid-60s, Buck was at least as big as the now-trendy-again Johnny Cash. After all, the Beatles covered his “Act Naturally.” Creedance Clearwater Revival mentioned him in “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” He brought an enormous amount of vitality and energy to the almost cookie-cutter industry of country music because of his “Bakersfield Sound.” More recently, Dwight Yoakam’s popularity has done a lot to bring Buck back into the spotlight.

I had been looking forward to seeing Buck in concert this summer at his Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California. I am very sorry that I won’t get that opportunity now. “Hillbilly Heaven” is an even richer place today.

By the way, I’m never sure how cutsey to make the titles of these posts. I refrained from calling this one, “Pfft! You Were Gone.” I hope my restraint is appreciated.

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