Hear Johnny Owens Pay Tribute to Father Buck Owens With 'Act Naturally'

08-08-2026

(Sexton) 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.

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.