Buck Owens, one of the most influential and beloved figures of the country music industry, passed away on March 25th, 2006 at the age of 76. A guitarist and singer, Owens was well known for pioneering the popular Bakersfield sound in the 1960s. Born in Sherman, Texas, Owens grew up surrounded by music, which he began learning to play at an early age. He released his first single "Second Fiddle" in 1951, sparking a successful career in the music industry. In the late 1950s, Owens and fellow disc jockey Don Rich formed the "Buckaroos," a band that would gain an immense amount of success with singles like "Act Naturally" and "Together Again." Owens continued to record and release successful albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s, gaining notoriety for his distinctive, twangy singing style and guitar solos. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Owens also hosted two popular television music series - Hee Haw and Buck Owens' Country Classics. He was also very active in politics, serving as campaign chairman for President Richard Nixon in 1972. In the 1990s, Owens was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2006, he died in his home in Bakersfield, California. He was 76 years old. Buck Owens leaves behind a legacy as one of the pioneers of country music and an inspiration for generations of musicians who followed him.