My favorite country star, Buck Owens died yesterday morning (AP Article).  His clear seemingly simple lyrics and melodies had a way of carving themselves into the memory.  His slow sad songs were tear jerkers, but all the rest were unashamedly fun and they have been covered by artist as diverse as Ray Charles and the Beatles.  

Not only did I have fond memories of watching Buck Owens on Hee Haw as a child with my parents and grandparents, but later in life I found myself obsessively fixated on a few of his songs, listening to them over and over again for hours.  I had tried to get in touch with Mr. Owens a couple of years ago for an interview (back when my website had content), but his staff informed me that his health had forced him to retire from public life and doing interviews.

Because he was my favorite and also because so few of my favorites are still alive, I was quite sorry to hear the news of his passing.  I hope he now finds himself in a better place and experiencing the reunion he wrote of in "Dust On Mother's Bible."


There's dust on mother's bible
Its cover's worn with age
And though it's old and wrinkled
Mama's there on every page

The night the angels called her
Mama called me to her side
And handed me her bible
Said "Son, let God be your guide."

There's dust on mother's bible
Its cover's worn with age
And though it's old and wrinkled
Mama's there on every page

I picked up mother's old bible
To my heart I pressed it tight
And I heard her softly whisper
"Son, I'll meet you on the other side."

I kissed my mother's old bible
And I wiped away the dust.
Oh, you never know until she's gone
How you'll miss your mother's love

There's dust on mother's bible
Its cover's worn with age
And though it's old and wrinkled
Mama's there on every page...