American country singer-songwriter and TV co-host Alvis Edgar “Buck” Owens, Jr. was born August 12, 1929 in Sherman, Texas. He was raised in California by his parents, Alvis Edgar Owens, Sr. and Maicie Azel Ellington Owens. Buck married Bonnie Campbell on January 13, 1948 and they had two children together. Buddy Alan was born May 22, 1948 in Tempe, Arizona and Michael Lynn was born March 8, 1950. He and Bonnie then divorced in 1953. The 6' Owens then married Phyllis Buford on May 9, 1956. They had one child together, Johnny Dale, who was born in California. Buck and Phyllis divorced in May 1972. He next married Buckaroo’s fiddle player Jana Jae Greif on May 2, 1977. This marriage was rocky from the start with Buck filing for an annulment three days after the wedding, on grounds that his bride was insane. He then began placing ads in the newspaper asking Jana to rescind their annulment. The ad read, “Jana Jae Owens, I apologize for being such a fool. I love you! Buck”. On July 21, 1977 they reconciled in Bakersfield but Buck turned around and disappeared within 24 hours. After being gone 8 days, he returned to Jana only to disappear again 4 days later. Buck then filed for divorce on August 17, 1977. The next day, Jana asked a judge to perform psychiatric tests on him, calling him “completely erratic.” After being married on May 2, 1977, their divorce was final on August 31, 1978. The following year, on June 21, 1979, Buck married Jennifer Smith. They divorced in 2001. It was during this marriage that Buck had surgery for throat cancer, on August 17, 1993. On March 23, 2006 Buck presented a nine-carat diamond ring to Karen Rotan, his girlfriend of more than four years. Owens, known for his trademark red, white and blue guitar, passed away in his sleep on March 25, 2006 in Bakersfield, California. He is known for the following songs:
“Act Naturally”, “Love’s Gonna Live Here”, “I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail” and “Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass”.

A few of the honors/awards Buck was presented with are:
5/22/88: City of Los Angeles observes Buck Owens Day
4/10/89: ACM Pioneer Award
5/24/90: Named honorary mayor for a day in Clovis, New Mexico
4/13/96: Section of Highway 82 in Sherman, TX renamed Buck Owens Freeway
10/2/96: Country Music Hall of Fame Induction
3/28/03: CMT “40 Greatest Men of Country Music”, ranked #12