On the Bandstand

CUT BY KEVIN GRAY & PRESSED AT RTI AT HIS ‘64 BEST! On The Bandstand was a top 10 charter in ‘64 for the honky-tonker, one of two concurrent top-selling albums he had that summer! The nascent Buckaroos magic is here in an early configuration featuring long-time Owens sideman Don Rich, turning in a solid selection of originals and tastefully-chosen covers. Pressed at RTI, on black vinyl! Based around numbers he was performing in his live shows, On the Bandstand features a mix of self-penned songs and then-current country favorites. Besides Buck, the spotlight shines on individual band members throughout the album. Speaking of the band, they were mere months away from being named The Buckaroos, courtesy of Merle Haggard who served briefly as their bass player before moving on to his own solo career. The sole hit on the original version of the album was “Kickin’ Our Hearts Around,” a song written especially for Buck by Capitol Records label mate Wanda Jackson.