Bonnie Owens is perhaps best known as the gal who married (and divorced) both Buck Owens and Merle Haggard... But she was a kick-ass West Coast country singer in her own right. She started performing the 1940s, and recorded her first single in the early 1950s, and continued to record infrequently for small independent labels for the rest of the decade. She and Buck Owens had known each other for years, and performed in country bands together, but were not married until 1951. They divorced several years later, and their son, Buddy Alan had a brief country music career as well. Bonnie Owens later married Merle Haggard in 1964, and continued her career as a solo singer and as a performer in Haggard's live band. Here's a quick look at her work...
Bonnie Owens "Queen Of The Coast" (Bear Family, 2007)
A 4-CD set honoring Bonnie Owens, one of the forgotten heros of the 1960s West Coast country scene... Although she's best-known for her marriages, here's a chance to size up Ms. Owens as her own, independent artist. This includes about an album's worth of duets with Merle, some early tunes recorded with the legendary Fuzzy Owen, a fair number of cover tunes, lots of obscurities and closes with her long out-of-print gospel album, Mother's Favorite Hymns. A real treat for longtime fans, and a nice chance to check out the best work by one of the best-known gals from the Bakersfield scene.
Bonnie Owens & Merle Haggard "Just Between The Two Of Us/The Fightin' Side Of Me" (Beat Goes On, 2003)
A generously-programmed twofer reissue that includes the albums Just Between The Two Of Us from 1966, and Merle's 1970 album, The Fightin' Side Of Me.
Bonnie Owens "Don't Take Advantage Of Me" (Capitol, 1965) (LP)
Although she'd been recording for over a decade, and had been married to one of the most successful men in country music, her full-length debut didn't come until 1965...
Bonnie Owens & Merle Haggard "Just Between The Two Of Us" (Capitol, 1966)
A collaboration between Owens and her new husband, Merle Haggard... This has been reissued a few times on several different labels...
Bonnie Owens "All Of Me Belongs To You" (Capitol, 1967) (LP)
Bonnie Owens "Somewhere Between" (Capitol, 1968) (LP)
Bonnie Owens "Hi-Fi To Cry By" (Capitol, 1969) (LP)
I know it's sexist of me to point this out, but she got her hair done (and changed the color!) for this album... And it looks pretty good!
Bonnie Owens "Lead Me On" (Capitol, 1969) (LP)
Bonnie Owens "Mother's Favorite Hymns" (Capitol, 1970) (LP)
