Grand Marshall Buck Owens
sponsored by Gotta Go! Bail Bonds
Born in Sherman, Texas in 1929, Buck Owens came West with his family in the great "Grapes of Wrath" migration of the 30's. By 1951, he settled into Bakersfield, California and found himself playing guitar and singing in the local honky-tonks. He quickly became a local favorite and then in 1953 got a break by playing for the then hot Tommy Collins. He started playing lead guitar on Tommy's records, and during the next few years became a popular session player for Capitol Records in Hollywood.
After making a few records of his own on the Pep label, Buck signed as a solo act with Capitol in 1957. For the next five years his hits were steady and his star was rising, but in 1963 his career really took off. Buck Owens and Buckaroos had seventeen #1 hit singles over the next six years, including "Act Naturally", "Together Again", "Tiger By The Tail", "Crying Time", and "Love's Gonna Live Here" – which stayed in the #1 slot on Billboard for 16 weeks straight!
By the late 1960's, Buck led a huge organization based in Bakersfield, including publishing companies, several radio stations, TV, newspapers, and more. In the summer of 1969 Buck became co-host of Hee Haw, which became one of the top syndicated TV successes of all time.
In 1989 Buck had a resurgence in popularity with a new, younger group of fans and scored a #1 hit with "Streets of Bakersfield" – a duet with his friend Dwight Yoakam. Subsequent generations rediscovered his music and now keep his name shining as one of the great innovators and true legends of country music.
In 1996, Buck opened the Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. Over the following years, it became known world wide as an important venue of country music. Buck and the Buckaroos played there Friday and Saturday nights until his passing, March 25, 2006. His family continues to honor his legacy, celebrating his life by carrying on his radio stations and the Crystal Palace the way they know he would have wanted. |
Bullfighter
Hollywood Yates
We are pleased to have Hollywood back with us as our premier bullfighter.
Hollywood’s resume reads like the true Renaissance man - 24 years on the professional rodeo circuit as a bullfighter and rodeo clown, including 2 world titles, 3 National Final Rodeo rings and countless trophies. He wrestled professionally with the WWE and is a stunt performer and actor. Hollywood is in production on Fancypants playing “The Darkness” directed by Joshua Russell to premiere in 2009. Also, Hollywood’s credits include a recurring role on The Unjust (6 episodes) and supporting roles in When Shadows Die and Vampire Slayers...
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Bullfighter Matt Lucking
Matt Lucking is a highly acclaimmed bullfighter in the PRCA, voted to work the Turquoise, California, Wilderness and the Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeos as well as the High School, Junior High School, and College National Finals rodeos. With fourteen years experience in the world of Professional Bull Fighting, Matt strives to provide absolute safety to those who place their well-being in his hands...
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Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, America’s Ridin’ & Ropin’ Royalty of the West
Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls is a professional international team skilled in the areas of western performance including trick riding and trick roping. Riata Ranch enhances the lives of young people through equestrian educational programs & performances. These programs utilize traditional American Western values of hard work, character development, responsibility, respect & pride to acheive the highest level of collaboration between horse & rider.
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Friends of Rodeo
Visit
the Friends
of Rodeo booth at this year's Stampede Days Rodeo. Friends of
Rodeo is dedicated to preserve Rodeo as a major part of our heritage
and culture. Their mission is to preserve, protect, and advance
Rodeo and it's participants cowboys, cowgirls, and the animals
they perform with. This non-profit support group provides information
to help the general public have a better understanding of the humane
treatment animals in Rodeo receive. |