Buck Owens & Don Rich - Telecaster Troubadours - Ask Zac 71 

Buck and Don - National treasures! Influencers of everyone from The Beatles to Dwight to Brad. Thank you for bringing us the story from your own experience!

What really impresses me about Buck Owens, Don Rich, and Brad Paisley is that they never let virtuosity ruin a good song.

Zac, all I can say is. "Thank you!" The Buckaroos were simply rock stars.

Thanks for listening to my request for Don Rich. Loved him ever since I was a kid.

Seeing Don Rich as child is why I play a telecaster.

I like the great story Buck Owens told about his first experiences with the Beatles. He heard about them like everyone else, but said at first he didn't pay much attention. But then one day a royalty check for "Act Naturally" arrived in the mail---- for $100,000! "I paid attention to them after that!" he said.

Howdy, enjoyed your assessment of Buck and Don. I was in radio and worked for Buck and the Owens family at the country station he owned in Phoenix (KNIX). The Buck "Ranch Show" ran in 100 markets at its height and Buck discontinued the show in 1973 when it ran in syndication because it was interfering with HEE HAW. I had Buck on my Phoenix radio show a few times and he always was fun to have on the air. I miss him, he influenced many people. I just wrote a book called KNIX, The Buck Owens Years and had Brad Paisley and Dwight Yoakam write the forward. I was at this station for 8 years and a highlight of a 40 plus year country radio career.

Don Rich was my first guitar hero. When I was 9 or 10 Buck’s show was on TV. I was always mesmerized by Don’s guitar stuff. The crazy fuzz tone on Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass. It’s a same Don Rich left so soon. It’s one of those who knows what could have been. I kinda see their relationship ship to be very close to Tom Petty and Mika Campbell. Don was more than just a side man. They were better together. Thanks for this Zac

Saw Buck Owens open for Screaming Trees at Bumbershoot in 1998. The crowd was there for the Trees, but, Buck put on a fantastic show, just engaging with the crowd, and won us completely over.

I love the history you bring into this video, You do a great job of breaking down the components of Don Rich's style and talking about the guitars and gear.

How could anyone not love Buck Owens? Hee Haw was one of my favorite shows as a kid. Looked forward to Buck Owens and that Tele every week.

Thank you for this. Growing up in Bakersfield in the ‘70s, my Okie grandparents always had Hee Haw on, and I only knew Buck as the co-host of Hee Haw. As a snot-nosed kid, I never cared too much for the music on Hee Haw. But as I grew up, I fell in love with the sublime music of Buck, Don, Merle and Johnny and came to be fiercely proud of my Bakersfield heritage. I just wish my grandparents had lived long enough to see me finally get it right. Oh, the conversations and listening sessions we could have had.

Outstanding tenor harmony by Don Rich in addition to his great Telecaster work and being a champion fiddler. Don Rich remains the greatest sideman in the history of country music.

The part about the Tommy Collins lick that Merle used in "Leonard". I literally found that out two weeks ago ,reading Bucks autobiography. Thanks , I'm a big Don Rich,Luther Perkins fan .

I met Buck's pretty brunette wife in Idaho Falls at the hotel in the early 80's. I was her server. I think she had gig there on violin maybe she told me. Later on, she had room service too. I'm a classic rock and blues player since a kid, but I always loved Hee Haw and Buck Owens. Now I'm in my 50's with a new Modern American Player Plus Tele, and I'm trying to learn to be a chickin' pickin' fool. One style I never learned. And I really like Dwight Yokum's stuff, and yours too!

I was a huge Buck Owens fan as kid and never missed an episode of Hee Haw. He and Don were a perfect pair . Great episode .

Great show on two of country's best. Buck and Don had a chemistry that was so obvious it was hard to imagine one without the other.

I Had the honor to stand at don rich's grave site we live in the same Bakersfield town all my life met him when i was 9 by surprise, a true legend should be inducted in the country hall of fame RIP king of telly

I love "Together Again"...such a sad sounding song about reconciliation...

Playing with Buck would be the Mount Rushmore of musical experiences in my world. I knew a fair amount about Buck's history, but as always, you filled in a lot of new details. Can't thank you enough, Zac. Love the new shirt, too. Very clever.

Gotta love waking up to a new Ask Zac!

Two of my favorites, what a great way to start the morning. Thanks Zac!

This show for me was just freekin' awesome. I LOVE these kinds of the little thangs behind the scenes etc. very COOL Zac. Thanks Man.!

Don Rich was my first guitar hero. My sister used to sing in Bakersfield on the Tex Ritter show. Buck Owens would play guitar for her at times. My sister and Bonnie Owens were friends back then. My sister is 15 years older than me so I have no idea if Bonnie was even married to Buck then. Apparently, I even sat on Tex Ritters knee when I was just a couple of months old, just for a bit during one of his TV shows. I guess my sister was one of Tex's favorites but my sister didn't stay in the business because she didn't want to do the bar scene. She had an amazing voice and when I was around 16 I started playing guitar for her in church. Your stories of playing in the Assembly of God churchs brought back a lot of memories. I played for about 30 years in churches. Unfortunately, I never got paid for it. 😅 I did play for Jerry Falwell once and did a number with his singer Robbie Hiner. Robbie asked me if I was interested in touring with him. That blew me away, but I was newly married and starting a family, so that didn't happen. My mom and brother were really into Buck Owens so I grew up listening and watching shows with him, Porter Wagner and his new girl singer, named Dolly. We would watch the Grand Old Opry. My sister gave me some inside scoop about some of the singers she knew and had performed with. Guys like Faron Young, Conway Twitty and a bunch more I can't remember. But Don Rich was my favorite and the song, Buckaroo, was my favorite from the band.

I went through a whole don rich buck Owens phase , your lucky to have met buck 😎

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you have a touch and a tone to die for; I am totally dumbfounded as to why you are not a session player. 🎸🎸🎸👍👍👍👍

Video about Buck and Don!? Immediately click on!!!

Buck Owens talked about his childhood in an interview I saw, and it was a depression era classic. Born in Texas to a farm family, they lost everything and went to Cali and worked the crops in The San Joaquin Valley, he learned guitar in the migrant camps and soon figured out playing honkey tonks was a much better way to earn money. An original Okie from Texas.

Amazing, Thrill of a lifetime to play with Buck

Still trying to get "Buckaroo" down right and up to speed, like Buck & Don... Fabulous Twin-Telecaster song if I ever heard one !! Thnx Zac, Cheers !

Zac, I've just begun watching your videos over the last couple of months (thanks 5 watt) and I have to say this is your best. Your appreciation of Buck Owens is sincere and heartfelt. Thanks for being you and doing what you do. Hell I might buy a coffee mug just to hear my wife say "who's Zac", and I'll say, well honey he's this guy.......

Thank you as I had no idea about how great Buck Owens was as well as other Tele artist you cover , Go Bless!

Thanks, Zac! I'll never forget Saturday nights in Lewiston, Idaho, watching Buck Owens' Ranch Show on Channel 4 from Spokane, wishing they'd show more close-ups of Don Rich's fingers!

Buck turned Nashville on it's head!! Went from acoustic to full blown amped up electric geetars, bass and drums playingbover the noise of honky tonk and roadhouse crowds. Turned the tele into the " honky tonk hammer" !

I could listen to Don Rich all day. Man he was so good.

A couple of years ago, Bob Shade of Hallmark Guitars, and historian/picker Deke Dickerson got together to recreate a one-off sparkly red Tele-like Mosrite made for Don Rich. Awesome guitars!

Dude...!!! THAAAAANK YOU!! Don is a huge inspiration for me! God bless you in this time of no work and an uncertain future for musicians!🙏

Another excellent episode.👍I remember someone saying "the reason they tuned down a half-step was because Buck thought it stood out on the am-radios in cars back then ". I don't know if that was true or not.

When I grew up in Seattle it was either Beatles or Buck records (they were Capitol labelmates and freinds). The Beatles would send him acetates of their newest sessions and I bet Buck did the same. Don was from down the road from me. I had dinner with Buck at the Crystal Palace on my 41st birthday. His personality was big but he was totally warm and humble. Affable is the word. Glad you got to play with Buck!! Fantastic!

Man this is such a great channel for musicians and fan geeks like me. Love this one on Buck Zac….youre really fantastic man.

A few years ago I was on a fire detail working out of Bakersfield. As soon as I got off the highway and pulled onto Merle Haggard boulevard I was feeling my childhood musical soundtrack. I made it a point to head over to the Crystal Palace one night to have a burger at the bar sitting right there in front of the buck mobile. it was transcending being able to see all the memorabilia and definitely but me back on a buck and Don kick. My young obsession with Dwight's music got me delving into buck as a teen but it wasn't till later in life until I really got dialed into the whole Bakersfield sound. Its so pivotal as a guitar player to hear that and get dialed into to that. nothing like it and never will be again. Another reason to pick up a tele and never look back. Feel the twang. Nothing better

I really appreciate this video. Those guys seem forever underrated and can't get enough kudos for what they did during that run.

Great video and information, Zac! Thanks for turning me on to some great tunes by these legends! Listening to the Carnegie Hall Concert now 😎👌🔥

Hot Dog! Thanks Zac, I never knew Buck played Rockabilly too. It's great hearing about the early history of these guys.

Great episode - headed off to buy those albums.

Pretty sure Merle came up with the name, Buckaroos, when he played bass for them early in his career. Merle is my favorite artist and has been since I worked up his songs in the 60s...but man, I loved ol Buck and Don.

So thankful I grew up N.E. Kern co. and used to go down the bar ( I was about 12-15) and sit just outside the front and side doors and watch Roy Nicols and the rest of these boys (The Strangers, with Merle and Lou Talley too!) all the time in that blazing Desert heat and to see all those Fender Amps all leaning back on those amp legs was my first ( full stacks) experience and the smell of those dark and dankey bars and all that smoke stinch would blow out through doors but felt felt great as it was cooler than the 100+ degree heat. Never seen Buck and Don but I little then I'm 63 now.. Luther, Don........oh boy!! Every Juke Box from Kernville all the way up to Lee Vining all had Merle and Buck and Conway etc....... THOSE were the days and nights Cat Fishing in Lake Isabella and the AM Radio from Bakersfield back then was priceless and soooooo perfect in life back then! I was 9 and bought the Tiger by the Tail on a 45 Record.. Used to crank my dads Silvertone Record Player!!

I’m 56 and as a kid from Bakersfield Don was a rock star to me. I was nine when he was killed and I still remember walking into my folks house that summer of 1974 and hearing the news about Don on the radio in our kitchen. I was crushed. Nowadays I own and play a Private build telecaster custom built for me and it’s serial number is DR8151941( Dons birth month day and year) as a memorial to “Dangerous” Don Rich. # Legend.

I’m a huge Buck Owens fan yet still learned a ton from this, thanks Zac. Those Buck Owens Ranch videos are great; sort of proto-Hee Haw and the banter is hilariously awkward, but the Buckaroos were so tight. I went to the Crystal Palace once (not when Brad Paisley was there, unfortunately!) and similar deal to what you describe, Buck liked to finish up early I guess, ha ha.

I was a kid in the late 50's in Bakersfield and we always listened to 'Cousin Herb's Tradin' Post'.

As a little kid I watched buck alot on hee haw ...and I remember the impression he made on me.. he seemed to have alot of fun but boy he played them guitars when the bell rang

How cool is it that you got to play with Buck!

I’ll never forget one time, in Springfield, MO, my uncle and I went to a flea market where I found a SIGNED Buck Owens Album!! It was a special edition of Tiger by The Tail that went out to Members of Buck’s fan club. Signatures by Buck and a few members of his band! And the craziest part is... $1!!!

It has been a Buckaroo kind of Day today. Had to watch this twice today 😊 dig the Vinyl pressing info too. Thanks Zack!

Thanks again, Zac, for opening my eyes and ears to more great Tele pickers! Love your Spotify playlists 👍

I didn't realize I was born on Buck's birthday! That's kind of cool. My husband and I got married on Don's birthday. We both have birthdays in August. We love August stuff. It just makes sense that Don's lick would be bouncy. He was bouncy. I loved his smile. Totally.

Great video, thanks! Don Rich was the first guitar player I remember being impressed by as a kid in the 1960’s when we watched the Buck Owens TV Show, mainly because he looked like he was having such a great time. Many years later we got to play the grand opening of The Fender Museum of Music and the Arts in Corona and John Page let me play one of those old Sparkled Telecasters that they had in their possession. Good times…Thanks again for all your great videos!

Kenny Vaughn told a hilarious story to Otis Gibbs about the famous Don Rich Tele. A while back Buck decided to hold an event where he was to present Marty Stuart with Don's guitar as a gift - a sort of passing the torch gesture -. Marty went to Bakersfield and Buck gave him the guitar at the ceremony. Two weeks later after he returned home, Marty gets a call from Buck saying to him, "yeah, I'm going to have to get that guitar back from you."

Great video, Zac!!! My father was a big fan of Buck Owens. I went from being a fan of Marty Robbins, another of my father's favorites, straight to the Beatles and Clapton. Now, I'm venturing back into great country artists that I missed. I appreciate your coverage of them!!!

I was just listening to Tommy Collins this morning because his name was mentioned in relation to Buck Owens. I was blown away by the supporting/lead guitar playing and wondered, “Who the heck is that?!” I’m sure the original source had mentioned Buck Owens in that role, but my picture of him - like you said - is the singer strumming an acoustic, so it just didn’t even register. When I googled “lead guitar player for Tommy Collins” I was like, “Whoa. Wait a second… THAT’S BUCK OWENS?!?!” 🤯 He’s absolutely killing it! If anyone seeing this hasn’t listened to those tracks, search it up. Buck was an axe-wielding giant! 🎸🔥🔥🔥

my first guitar was a jr buck owens model - red white and blue - I was in 1st grade - around 1975 - I've always loved Buck Owens - probably watched a thousand Hee Haws on my Dad's knee - eating cornbread and milk - I might have to used that line in a song - anyhow I've always appreciated Buck's guitar chops - Buck Owens was a very smart man and an important part of my youth- He still inspires -

Wow, that's so cool to play with Mr Buck! "Best" I did was jam with the Hooters & chat with George Thorogood over urinals at an Animals reunion....

Hey Zac, great video. Don Rich!--- I love Don's guitar playing and singing, and all those amazing Buck Owens and the Buckaroos records. I put Don on my list of all-time favourite guitarists, right up there with Django, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Freddie King, Chuck Berry, Jesse Ed Davis, Hendrix, Clapton, and many others. My criteria for this list is "Pure Sound"---- guitar players who have their own unique and wonderful sound that is theirs alone, which stands out whenever you hear them. Also their influence is enormous. That's a rare thing. Don wasn't just a great guitarist, he was a great all-around musician, not just a country player. The Beatles picked up on how good Buck and Don were, that's for sure. I read an interview with Don in which he talked about his great admiration for Howard Roberts, who was one of the greatest jazz guitarists of his day. Don's tragic death was a huge loss, but his guitar playing still stands out as great as ever today, and his influence can be heard today in the Byrds and country-rock right up to the Eagles and beyond.

Would love to see a movie about Buck. Bob Odenkirk as Don Rich

My Favorite Guitar sound is Buck and Don on the Telecasters!! Then of course followed by Merle and Roy!! Telecaster twang has never been better in my opinion since :) Thanks for this weeks class on these two greats!! My mom had all the Buckaroo Albums!! I have them and play them on my record player weekly :)

I have seen that Album back in 1989 at ET Record shop At Nashville Tennessee untill u show it on ur RU-vid Channel thank you so mush now i am going to look for it ...and bye it this time

It is a big fun and enjoyment for me to listen to your excellent videos on country music and Telecaster players. I learn a lot and your way to open up histories and stories is almost a daily must. Thanks a lot of these. Work of a great importance. Greetings from Helsinki!

Buck is one of my favorite artists in country!! On Brad Paisley’s record play they did a song together which is really cool!! One person that was influenced by buck was John 5 of rob zombie a metal artist!! But John has a red white and blue tele like his but with John 5 specifications to his signature model guitar!! But John has a side band called the creatures where he plays more country style guitar than with rob zombie

Love the sound and do everything to keep it alive and to make sure credit goes to Buck and Don !

Zac. I recently acquired a 52' reissue in Paris and while it must be my 20th guitar none has felt like home as this one instantly did. Thank you for sharing so much info on this precious instrument through your channel and in the meantime talking about artists who are definitely worth checking out. I'd love to support by purchasing a t-shirt but I suppose shipping to France must be pricey. All best.

I Just had to watch your video again, you play as well as Buck and Don Rich, I enjoy that music so much, it was that music that made country music what it is today, and you are a very big part of that, Thnak you for sharing you talent with us.....):

I highly recommend Buck's book - its very well written and very revealing.

“Wham Bam Thank you Ma’am!” and thanks Zac for featuring Don Rich!

Absolutely killer zac , loved every minute , Buck , Don and the buckaroos pure legends 👍

Great! My favorite album is Live in Japan. Got that one when I was in high school. I'm 72, so that was over half century ago

When I was a kid I loved watching Buck, Roy, and Don on Hee Haw. Don was my favorite. I loved his guitar playing and always wondered why he was no longer on the show. I only just found out a couple years ago that he died in the 1970's in a motorcycle crash. I had a deep sense of sadness when I learned that. For all these years, he was not on this Earth and I never knew it. Don Rich was a great performer who really had a presence on the stage.

For anyone who has not already heard it, the Cocaine & Rhinestones podcast did two episodes on Buck Owens. As a big fan, I’ve listened to them many times over. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Don & Roy’s telecasters ,Made me fall in love with country music ! ❤️👍

I got to hire Tom Brumley a few times on sessions in Springfield, MO. Also flew him down to Louisiana for a record. He was great and really generous with the stories. When I was playing with Earle we had this bus driver named Doyle who was kind of a character. It took us a couple weeks to put 2 and 2 together that Doyle Holly was driving our bus! I love all things Buck. Great segment!

Thanks for sharing! Buck is everything right about country music. Bakersfield begat Buck, Merle & Roy and they Dwight & Brad. Your posts are always great look forward to more of them…

Buck probably gets overlooked as a guitar player because he sat next to Roy Clark on Hee Haw for all those years.

I love the story about Fender guys getting the HR series from seeing a Buck Owen’s refinished amp in black. It totally makes sense.

I've always thought Don's rhythm playing is the "origin story" of the guitar style of the Byrds, R.E.M's and dozens of other bands known for their "unique" sound. There's a You Tube video of an Ranch Show instrumental that's a perfect example.

I'd love to have one o' those sparkly suits-wear it to church on Sunday!

Together Again is in C# on some of them.I've got that Live @ C.H. My lead player is building me a Silver Sparkle Tele w/3pc white pickguard and dbl White binding. Been waiting on the body since last Feb. I still wear those bulldogger ties when I'm Fronting.

2. Things: 1. Leona Williams told me she and Merle wrote The Bull & Beaver on the same day Merle wrote Leonard! 2. AWESOME on what Buck said about Cash! 🖤

Another fabulous tale, really enjoyable 😎🎙🎸✅

Great show Zac. Thanks!

13-56... whoa... my strats are 10-54 in D Standard. I can't imagine that in Standard, let alone 13-56s.

For all you Fender amp buffs, Watching the Buck Owens Range show on U-Tube I see Don playing though a two 12 combo. Probably a Fender Tween with JBL's, also with 5881 power tubes and 7025 in the preamp stage, just my guess.

Zac, thanks for sharing that, that was awesome. Those stage outfits remind me of mariachi outfits. 😆 One suggestion still, that guitar is loud still compared to your voice. I don’t know if it’s my TV or tablet but it blows my ears out trying to listen to your stories... But as far as the history lesson 🤙🏼 thanks

I "liked" the video before I even watched it, because, any Don and Buck content is good.

Tommy was Leonard!! It all comes together. Love your knowledge and how you know all the absolute great licks and break them down. I’m lookin to purchase another tele in the next few weeks and it’s driving me crazy shopping. Anyway you ca point me in the right direction for a tele under 3 thousand?

Brilliant!!! Love Buck & the Buckaroos ...talk about a tight band. Wow. The tidbit on how Buck's Bassman became the aesthetic template for the Fender's Hot Rod series very cool. Thank you!

Probably my favorite strictly c&w artist ever.

In a video on Loretta Lynn there's pre famous Loretta on stage in Washington w Don on fiddle and Buck on guitar Not sure if you mentioned it. Oddly enough , they don't mention this in the Loretta Lynn video either , making me wonder was there some kind of riff between the two ? Great video. Great channel.

Growing up in a Hee Haw watching household, but being a fan of Zeppelin, The Police, The Cars, Stray Cats etc... I always thought of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos as kind of slap stick. My older brothers were Beatles fans... I guess I didn't see the connection. But late in life I did a deep dive and learned how Buck was The Beatles of Country while at the same time The Beatles were the Buck of Rock n Roll. I became a big Don Rich fan! My gold Cabronita with matching head stock is kind of a salute to him.

Buck and his band recorded a lot of his shows in Oklahoma city at WK Y studio, sponsored by Mathis Brothers furniture, they would come to OKC every 3 or 4 weeks and record

My opinion best instrumental ever played on a Tely. I consider it my favorite secular melody of all time. I'm 67 I first heard it when my friend came I was playing some guitar. We were like in 7th grade and he had lessons and he played that song. Plugged that Gibson LP Junior guitar in and I can still hear that sound ringing in my ears. I thought I died and went to guitar heaven

Fantastic Zac! Any back stories on Brad recording “Come On In” and how he came about to get Buck’s tracks?