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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, August 1, 2013
Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
Index 16th annual Lowrider Nationals .............. 16 48 Hour Film Project ................................ 17 Arts Alive .................................................. 18 First Friday ................................................ 19 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 20 Women’s Equality Day.............................. 21 This Week’s Obsessions ........................ 22 Calendar .............................................. 26-27
Fjorged in Bakersfield Norwegian tribute band honored guests of annual Buck Bash BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com
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here’s been a noticeable change in rhythm to this year’s Buck Bash. Beginning with the absence of a major headlining act, the popular all-star musical event and birthday tribute to Owens has also been extended to two days, Aug. 9 and 10. Over the years, the event has pulled in sellout crowds featuring some of country music’s biggest acts, from Dwight Yoakam and Trace Adkins to Brad Paisley and Asleep at the Wheel, as well as rising star Joe Nichols. Few annual events stack up to its level of entertainment in celebration of Owens’ musical legacy, which may have some questioning the move to scale back the festivities. Fans needn’t worry, said Buckaroo keyboardist Jim Shaw, on whether the party will be anything short of the revelry from years past, with the spirit of Owens being the guest of honor at next weekend’s Buck Bash at the Crystal Palace. (Aug. 12 is the 84th anniversary of Owens’ birth.) “We decided to do something different,” said Shaw. “This is more of a real Buck tribute than having a big-name artist coming to do concert. Everyone is really going to enjoy it.” Appearing both evenings will be Buddy Alan Owens and the Buckaroos, along with Norwegian Buck Owens tribute band Bakersfield. “Lots of people love Buck and do his songs, but nothing like this.” Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Odd Lauritsen, the Bakersfield tribute is no ordinary homage to his idol but a detailed recreation of the group’s classic 1960s era with a stage show down to the flashy suits. “I love Buck Owens,” said Lauritsen, 50, during an interview from his home in Sarpsborg, Nor-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ODD LAURITSEN
Norwegian Buck Owens tribute band Bakersfield will be performing at this year’s Buck Bash at the Crystal Palace on Aug. 9 and 10.
Buck Bash When: 7 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10 Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. Admission: $30 and $40 Information: 328-7560 or buckowens.com
way, located just outside of capital city of Oslo. “Ever since I was a little boy, my parents had a lot of his records and that music has been with me all these years.” The idea that Norway would be a hotbed for Owens’ music may surprise some, but not for Lauritsen, who, speaking with a thick accent, sounds like an authority
on all things Buck. “He was ahead of his time. He created something new. It was different from the Nashville sound. It was closer to what would be considered rock ’n’ roll back then. Here come these two guys with Telecasters, looking sharp, with a lot of treble in the guitar. That was something really different. His music is timeless.” Lauritsen added that while Owens had a huge fanbase in Europe, influencing artists such as The Beatles, Norway had its own version of Buckmania. “He was very popular in Norway and sold tons of records here in the ’60s. If you really look into it, Buck was probably one of the most popular and biggest-selling country artists in the world, and Please see BASH / 25 Odd Lauritsen meets his idol, Buck Owens, in Bakersfield in 2000.