Buck Owens

Buck Owens was born on August 12, 1929 in Sherman, Texas. His full name was Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. and his parents were Alvis and Maicie Owens.

Alvis, when he was around four years old, came into the house and told his family that his name was Buck, just like the family mule. Buck the mule impressed Alvis and gave him a nickname that would go with him for the rest of his life.

In his late teens and early twenties Buck was working as a truck driver. On one of his trips through California he happened upon Bakersfield. When he saw Bakersfield he made up his mind where he wanted to live. In 1950 Buck and his wife moved to Bakersfield and made it their home.

Buck recorded his first hit song, Second Fiddle, which made it all the way to spot 24 on the country music charts. Buck continued to hit the charts until 1963 when he made it to #1 with Act Naturally. From then until his last #1, The Streets of Bakersfield in 1988 Buck achieved 21 #1 hits.