BUCK vs GEORGE

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 4 Jun 2001 4:32 pm

I'm just throwing this out there, I love both of them. Few country singers can sing one like ol' George, but wasn't Buck the bigger star in that time period, the 60's? Buck was an international star, plus he was asked to host a Nationally televised country show in "prime time." On the other hand, has George caught up with Buck in the last 20 or so years, due to his {Bucks} lack of chart activity, and George's growing popularity with new and younger audiences? I was wondering what y'all might think. http://www.buckowensfan.com [This message was edited by Larry Miller on 04 June 2001 at 05:36 PM.]

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 4 Jun 2001 4:57 pm

Great Question....

Being a Bakersfield boy, it would be difficult to side with anyone else other than Buck. Buck had the most unique voice in CM IMO in the late 50's and early 60's. It had tenor tone and quality and wasn't easily imitated. With Don Rich, Buck also had the privilege and good fortune of having the greatest sideman in the history of CM. They were magic together. Some of the best duets they ever made on albums were never released as singles, such as, Close Up The Honky Tonks, Sweethearts In Heaven, He Don't Deserve You Anymore, to name a few.

Having said that, I believe that from 1963-1968 (the United Artist and Musicor years) George Jones was arguably the greatest CM artist ever. Nobody came close to the emotion he could bring from a song. His duets with Melba Montgomery were spine chilling too.

Whoever you like the best, we should cherish the music both of these great artists have left for us and future generations to enjoy.

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 4 Jun 2001 6:05 pm

I have no idea who was the bigger star. But I can tell ya that George Jones is much better, IMO.

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Fred Martin · Post by **Fred Martin** » 4 Jun 2001 6:16 pm

They were both great in quite different ways. George could put across the honky tonk songs and make you believe it because he was sure doing it at the time. George has no equal for getting the feeling out of a sad song. Buck came on as a group to me, it was fun and we loved everyone of them. Bucks show was different, it was just great entertainment as well as great music. Don't think they can be judged on competitive terms.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 4 Jun 2001 6:35 pm

I have to side with Buck. While Jones was zoned out, Owens was working in and out of the studio to get the best quality reacords possable

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 4 Jun 2001 7:30 pm

Janice...

Very interesting point...well taken. I listen to George these days, but Buck sure did a lot of work in those days. Some of his most popular songs were covered by some greats including Emmy Lou, the Beatles, and others.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 4 Jun 2001 7:36 pm

Buck was always my favorite and the bigger star, but if there was a star for vocal ability and using it to project a song, George would have it. I might go so far as to say he would be the only one, alive or dead that could claim it. IMO of course.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 4 Jun 2001 8:40 pm

Here we go again! "this ones a lot better than that one" Lets give them both the credit they deserve for making Country what it should be today!

Pete Mitchell · Post by **Pete Mitchell** » 4 Jun 2001 8:53 pm

Ditto, Al! .....Pete

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 4 Jun 2001 10:17 pm

There's really no comparing the two. Different styles, different times, like trying to compare Uncle Dave Macon and Barf Brooks. IMO.

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"LET'S GO STEEL SOMETHING" If it feels good, DO IT, if it feels "COUNTRY", do it TWICE
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Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 5 Jun 2001 12:51 am

Apples and Oranges!!!!

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 5 Jun 2001 2:39 am

An interesting story George related to Ralph Emery in an interview, George was opening for Buck and the Buckaroos and asked Buck if he could close the show one particular night. Buck told him "No George we're the headliners, can't do it!, with that, George went out and sang all of Buck's hits!

P Gleespen · Post by **P Gleespen** » 5 Jun 2001 2:41 am

They're both better.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 5 Jun 2001 4:38 am

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[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 05:44 PM.]

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 5 Jun 2001 5:10 am

I wouldn't even start to seperate the two,they are both country,stayed that way and will always be that way.Lucky me I have a reel-to-reel of Buck and the Buckaroos,the tape was turned on and song after song was recorded.Songs never played but on that tape,ther has to be over a hundred.It was recorded in the 60's.Don Rich gave Kay Adams a copy and she gave me one.I don't have to tell you almost all the songs were really good

Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 5 Jun 2001 5:45 am

My dad can beat up your dad!!!!!

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 5 Jun 2001 5:52 am

O.K. Mike,My son was "Student of the Month" at the Juvenile Detention Center.So There.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 5 Jun 2001 7:58 am

They were both great in quite different ways. . . Don't think they can be judged on competitive terms.

Good point, Fred.

George sings the kind of songs I love. So that biases me quite a bit, I suppose. Still, that voice. . . .

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 5 Jun 2001 8:20 am

I've worked for both on a steady basis,I never even thought of comparing the two, but Larry, what an intresting question, If I were asked who my favorte was, It would be either Faron or Paycheck. (to work for that is). Buck made my a very fair offer right after Tom Brumley left. I don't remember who ended up with the job, possibly it was Jerry Brightman.
I 'spose Jones would have been a lot more poplar if he'd have "showed up".
When I worked with him,it was just the two of us traveling in a 59 Pontiac Catalina station wagon,White Lightnin'had just been released
. Glad those days are over!
Bobbe

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 5 Jun 2001 12:50 pm

IMO, they are both great entertainers, but I have to add this: In his song "Whose Gonna Fill Their Shoes" but more specifically, in the line "who tear your heart out when they sing", George left out one singer - himself!
Just my opinion, of course.

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Rebel™
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Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 5 Jun 2001 5:19 pm

It is impossible to compare the two. Because what one might have had the other one didn't and so forth. I am a big fan of both and could never get enough of both. Like George's smooth voice or Buck's blistering Tele. What a couple of giants they are.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 5 Jun 2001 9:27 pm

I feel that I could'nt make a choice between the two,for as said before,they are both gaints of real country music.There is one thing I can think of that Buck had that George lacked.And that was what I would call a hot of the grill,Bakerfield honkytonk band backup sound.Where to much of George's stuff had that Nashvill sound.And there is a world of different's

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BJ Bailey

[This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 05 June 2001 at 10:30 PM.][This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 06 June 2001 at 10:49 AM.]

Henning Antonsen · Post by **Henning Antonsen** » 6 Jun 2001 2:46 am

Hmm. Those are my two favorite singers. Please don't ask me to compare them... it's really not possible, and not very interesting, either. Buck's band always featured better musicians, though (IMHO).

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 6 Jun 2001 2:18 pm

Thanks everyone for your input. That's what this forum is all about, discussing opinions, exchanging ideas, and making people think, whether it is a popular topic, or not . Thanks

Larry[This message was edited by Larry Miller on 06 June 2001 at 03:20 PM.]