Although not strictly NRPS related, I want to bid farewell to Buck Owens, originator of the Bakersfield sound, the Telecaster driven honky tonk that made Buck, Merle and Dwight Yokum (and others) household names and that country rock owes so much of its success to.  At age 76, he still performed almost every Friday and Saturday night at his Crystal Palace club in Bakersfield.  I was in attendence 11/05/05 for his show.  Played for an hour and a half.  Smoking lead, dobro, fiddle, keyboards, plus sang almost every song.  Not bad for a 76 year old stroke and cancer survivor.  We'll miss you, Buck!!!  Friday night 3/24 Buck came to the club, had his favorite dinner (Chicken fried steak), then told the band he didn't fell well, he was going to cancel that nights show.  On his way to his car, some fans approched him, told him how much they were looking  forward to the show and had driven from OR for the show.  He went back inside and did the show just hours before he died.  What a trooper!!!!

  Picture from BuckOwens.com

Thirty two years ago this week, I got to see the Greatest Band ever.  Two rainy nights, two of the greatest shows I have seen. 

Night of  3/7/74 went to show with then girl friend,  3/8/74 was the night my buddies and I attended.  Skip had only been with the band a couple of months, and the band gelled and gave the performance of a life time.  (see setlist for 3/8/74 below).  We were standing with our feet touching the stage, between Dawson and Battin.  This a 6" stage and between songs conversed with them between song.  Many years later, our good friend Rob Bleetstein (webmaster NRPS.net) fixed me up with a cd copy of the 3/8/74 show.  It is really cool to have a cd of a show you attended. 

As an aside, I would have posted this on the 8th, but I had the chance to attend a show with Alison Krause and Union Station, IMO the best bluegrass band in the world.  I got home too late to post.

First set: I Dont Know You / Hi, Hello, How Are You / Teardrops In My Eyes / Sunday Susie / Panama Red / Lonesome LA Cowboy / You Should Have Seen Me Runnin / Singing Cowboy / Sweet Lovin' One / Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) / Henry / Sutter's Mill / She's No Angel / Linda / Down In The Boondocks / Truck Drivin Man

Second Set: Crooked Judge / One Too Many Stories / Whiskey / Garden Of Eden / LA Lady / Lochinvar / Dead Flowers / Six Days On The Road / Glendale Train / Last Lonely Eagle / Take A Letter Maria / Rainbow / On The Amazon / Encore: Nadine

Finally, I am going live tonight with my new site.  It's not anywhere finished, but something I feel is necessary on the web.

Go To:  SkipBattin.com 

Enjoy!!!