Dwight, Derailers salute Buck

Dwight Yoakam and The Derailers are each paying tribute to the late Buck Owens by releasing albums of his songs.

Dwight Sings Buck, featuring Dwight’s versions of Buck classics like “Act Naturally,” “My Heart Skips a Beat” and “Think of Me,” is set to hit stores on Oct. 23. “After his death, it was the clearest way I could express my love for him and acknowledge the depth of our friendship,” Dwight says. The first single from the 15-track Dwight Sings Buck will be “Close Up the Honky Tonks,” a Red Simpson-penned tune Buck recorded in 1964. A portion of the proceeds from album sales will go to the Buck Owens American Music Foundation.

Meanwhile, The Derailers’ Under the Influence of Buck will be released July 31. The Austin-based honky-tonkers performed at Buck’s 70th birthday party in 1999. The 13 tracks on Under the Influence include "Love's Gonna Live Here," "Together Again" and "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail.”

Buck passed away in March 2006 at age 76. Legislation is now pending that would rename the post office in Oildale, Calif., after the late country legend.

• July 25, 2007
• Dwight Yoakam photo by Jason Moore