Johnny Owens, youngest son of Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens, pays tribute to his father’s enduring legacy and the iconic Bakersfield Sound with the release of his new single, “Act Naturally,” available today. Premiered by The Music Universe alongside Johnny Owens’ only in-person sit-down interview about his father’s legacy, the recording celebrates the timeless sound that made Buck Owens a country music legend while reflecting Johnny’s dedication to preserving the traditional Bakersfield Sound 20 years after his father’s passing.

“To the world, Buck Owens was a country music icon, but to me, he was simply Dad,” shares Johnny. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of his passing, the 60th anniversary of his landmark album Live at Carnegie Hall, and on Aug. 12, he would have celebrated his 97th birthday. Releasing ‘Act Naturally’ felt like the perfect way to honor him because no one ever took the stage more naturally than my dad. I miss him every day, and I hope this song reminds fans why his music and the Bakersfield Sound continue to mean so much to so many people.” 

“Act Naturally” is the first release from Johnny Owens’ forthcoming full-length tribute album honoring the extraordinary career of Buck Owens. The 10-track collection will celebrate the music that helped define the Bakersfield Sound, featuring beloved classics from every era of Buck’s career, including “Big in Vegas,” “Together Again,” “Streets of Bakersfield” and more. Through these timeless songs, Johnny continues his mission of preserving his father’s legacy and introducing a new generation of listeners to the storytelling, authenticity and traditional country sound that made Buck Owens one of the genre’s most influential artists. 

“Johnny makes his dad proud in this true preservation of an iconic voice and song!” – Buddy Iahn / The Music Universe

“For Buck Owens lovers, this is such a gift. The familial DNA shines through on Johnny’s cover enough to bring back the original country fun, while adding a fresh coat of varnish. My prediction is it will be a hit from Bakersfield to Boston and beyond!” – Patti McClintic / Center Stage Magazine

“Johnny Owens has done his daddy proud! Just in time to celebrate the August 12 birthday of the late, great Buck Owens, his son has covered one of the Bakersfield legend’s greatest hits with enough infectious exuberance to make the tune sound irresistibly fresh all over again!” – Joe Leydon / Cowboys & Indians

For more information on Johnny Owens, visit johnnyowensmusic.com

About Johnny Owens
Johnny Owens carries forward one of country music’s most celebrated legacies as the youngest son of Country Music Hall of Famer Buck Owens. Raised alongside the creation of the legendary Buckaroos and surrounded by some of country music’s greatest artists, Johnny developed an authentic appreciation for the Bakersfield Sound that can only come from living its history. After spending years supporting his father’s career, Johnny stepped into the spotlight to honor Buck’s legacy through his own performances, captivating audiences with a voice that recalls the timeless sound of classic country. Performing everywhere from the Buck Owens Crystal Palace to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Johnny continues to celebrate the music that defined a generation. As author and Bakersfield Sound historian Robert E. Price wrote, “Johnny Owens is as close in tone and appearance to his Buckness as any that walk the earth today.”