Buck Owens goes to 'Hee Haw' in the sky

Buck Owens, one of country music's great singer/songwriters and the originator of the "Bakersfield sound," died in his sleep Saturday at his home. He was 76.

What a loss. I caught Buck at Bimbo's here in Frisco a few years back. Despite having lost part of his tongue to cancer, he still put on a heck of a show. I'd been threatening to make a trip down to the Crystal Palace to see him play. Guess that won't be happening.

But if you're ever in Bakersfield, stop by Buck's restaurant/showcase for a steak and a stroll through the free museum, which exhibits tons of memorabilia (including some very cool Nudie suits). And if you're there on a Monday night, stop in at Trout's in Oildale (right next to Bakersfield) and you can catch Buck's songwriting buddy Red Simpson singing his truck-driving songs.