Monte Hale (Born Buren Ely)
June 8, 1919 – March 29, 2009
Born in Ada, Oklahoma, Monte Hale was best known for his “singing cowboy” roles in many Republic Pictures westerns of the ’40s and ’50s. Prior to that, Hale made his living playing country music at local rodeos and vaudeville shows. He also co-founded the Autry Museum of Western Heritage with Gene Autry. Hale passed away after a lengthy illness at the age of 89.
Alvis “Buck” Owens
August 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006
Buck Owens was a country music legend who, over the course of a forty-five year career almost single-handedly popularized what became known as the “Bakersfield sound.” Drawing on traditional honky-tonk, the “Bakersfield sound” is best described as a more twangy and electrified rock ‘n roll version of country. It was the antithesis of the popular “countrypolitan” of the era. In all, Owens released nearly 40 studio albums along with 9 live albums, from which came 21 #1 singles. His most celebrated are “Act Naturally” and “I’ve Got the Tiger By the Tail.” Throughout the years, his songs have been covered by the likes of the Beatles (with Ringo Starr on lead vocals), Dwight Yoakam, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Rivers and Cake. Owens was also a popular sight on television for many years. Besides being the host for the popular variety program Hee Haw for nearly twenty years, he was a regular guest on many other television programs during the ’70s and ’80s. Owens also owned several radio stations along with the Crystal Palace, his popular nightclub/restaurant/museum in Bakersfield, California, where he made regular appearances literally up until his death. On March 25, 2006, 76-year-old Buck Owens died in his sleep just hours after one such performance. It is believed that he suffered a heart attack.
Dan Seals
February 8, 1949 – March 25, 2009
Dan Seals had a string of pop and country hits both as a solo artist and as one half of England Dan & John Ford Coley. Seals’ hits included “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” (England Dan & John Ford Coley), “Bop,” “Meet Me In Montana” (with Marie Osmond), and “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold).” Seals was born in Texas on February 8, 1949 into a musically talented family that included brother Jim Seals (Seals & Crofts), and cousins Johnny Duncan, Troy Seals, Chuck Seals and Brady Seals of Little Texas. Dan Seals was 61 when he died of lymphoma on March 25, 2009.
Mark Dinning
August 17, 1933 – March 22, 1986
One of nine siblings, Mark Dinning recycled an old song written by one of his sisters (of the Dinning Sisters) and turned it into an early rock ‘n’ roll hit. That song was “Teen Angel” which is one of those classic tragedies that tells the chilling story of a young lover killed when her car is stalled on the train tracks. It went to #1 on the Billboard charts even though some stations felt it was too morbid to play. Dinning died of a heart attack at age 52.
Fess Parker
August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010
Fess Parker was a popular actor who is best remembered for playing Davy Crockett in a Disney television series, and later, Daniel Boone in another series. Parker flirted with a music career by releasing a handful of folk albums during the ’60s. They included Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Abe Lincoln and Other Great American Heroes and Fess Parker Sings. Later in life, Parker devoted his time to running the award-winning Fess Parker Family Winery. Fess Parker was 85 when he died of natural causes on March 18, 2010.
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