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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 Bonnie Owens
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Brett Anderson Member From: Arizona, USA |
posted 06 July 2005 01:42 PM
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Has anybody heard anything about Bonnie Owens? I recently heard she had alzheimers. Hope its not true, but would like an update if it is. I got to meet her at a Haggard Show here about 5 or six years ago and think she's the nicest, sweetest lady i'd ever met. Even got to sing a little with her. The song was "Our paths may never cross" |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 06 July 2005 02:00 PM
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Bonnie's great harmony contribution to Merle's early songs is one of the reasons I loved Merle's early stuff. When Merle drifted away from that great harmony he used to feature on his records, I just stopped buying his stuff. Somehow, as great a singer as he was, it just wasn't the same...or as good, IMHO. |
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Brett Anderson Member From: Arizona, USA |
posted 06 July 2005 02:19 PM
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Hey Donny, And beside that the last time i saw him here in concert, he had no Redd. Or any other lead player for that matter. I got to where half the reason i'd go see him was to see Redd V. Well that and my lead player at the time was friends with Norm who got us backstage passes. |
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Jack Stoner Sysop From: Inverness, Florida |
posted 06 July 2005 02:46 PM
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I remember reading that Bonnie had some "medical" problems about a month or so ago. I don't recall for sure but I believe you ar correct. I saw a show (a live show that they showed on TV) and she was having problems remembering her lines on a solo, may have been early signs of it. Although, at 67, I find I have "senior moments" regularly. |
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Brett Anderson Member From: Arizona, USA |
posted 06 July 2005 07:03 PM
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Hey Jack, i'm having plenty of those moments at 33. Hope i make it to 67. |
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Ken Lang Member From: Simi Valley, Ca |
posted 06 July 2005 07:09 PM
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MERLE HAGGARD & BONNIE OWENS: The latest edition of Country Weekly magazine features an article about Merle Haggard that contains some sad news about his former wife and singing partner Bonnie Owens' health: "Although they divorced over a quarter-century ago, Merle considers Bonnie Owens a dear friend. 'I fell in love with her, and then we became like old Army buddies. When the heat wore off and the fever came down, we were still friends, but there was no need to be married to each other. We were greater friends that we were lovers, so we became like brother and sister.' "Bonnie - who was also once wed to Buck Owens - now suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Merle makes a point of visiting her often, with Theresa's approval. 'Theresa admires her as much as she admires her own mother,' he says." |
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Howard Tate Member From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA |
posted 06 July 2005 07:36 PM
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So sorry to hear that. Bonnie always had a genius that most people never heard of, that was the ability to take a very good song and edit out all the unnessary words and parts and make it a hit. Leon Copeland gave her credit for that when he wrote "Lead me on" which was the song of the year for Loretta and Conway. On top of that she is a very nice person. ------------------ |
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Jon Light Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 06 July 2005 07:44 PM
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How sad. Her voice contributed to a signature sound of an era. I'd feel pretty good onstage if I knew I could turn around and see her behind me. |
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jim milewski Member From: stowe, vermont |
posted 07 July 2005 04:42 AM
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can't help but believe if a duo could capture the feel and harmony and do some of those old Hag and Bonnie tunes they would have a place right now in todays country music, sure would be a breath of fresh air, then again considering what is popular in todays music I'm probably wrong, still love to hear a remake of, "Just Between the Two of Us" [This message was edited by jim milewski on 07 July 2005 at 04:43 AM.] |
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Al Udeen Member From: maple grove mn usa |
posted 07 July 2005 10:11 AM
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What a sad thing to hear about Bonnie Owens health! About 10 yrs ago, Merle Haggard was appearing at a ballroom 7mi from my home, I left early that nite for my gig & stopped at that ballroom to see if I could say hi to Norm Hamlett during their sound check, I saw Bonnie backstage & said to her, Do you remember a show with you & Buck Owens at the Tucson Gardens in 1960? She replied, I sure do! that was my very first show! I told her that I was the Steel Player & she said, I remember you, You can imagine what went through my mind! So I'll call that my early days Claim to Fame! My Best to Bonnie! Al Udeen |
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Larry Strawn Member From: Golden Valley, Arizona, USA |
posted 07 July 2005 04:40 PM
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Saw Bonnie a couple of yrs. ago in Bakersfield at Bucks Crystle Palace,She got up and sang a few songs with Buck. What a Lady!! Larry ------------------ [This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 07 July 2005 at 04:41 PM.] |
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George Redmon Member From: |
posted 07 July 2005 06:13 PM
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my favorite bonnie and merle song is "Just Between The Two Of Us".....so nice..and the steel ...need i say more? Early Hag, is indeed the "Best" hag! ------------------ |
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Ron Page Member From: Cincinnati, OH USA |
posted 08 July 2005 09:17 AM
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I always thought Merle and Bonnie's duets were fantastic and lamented that they didn't do more of them. In Hag's solo works, their harmony ranks right up there with Buck Owens and Don Rich. May God bless Bonnie and her family during what must be a very difficult time. I won't argue for or against the notion that the earlier Hag was the best Hag. But I will say that I believe the later, live versions of the earlier Hag are even better than the originals. Not because of the harmony but because of all the instumental musicianship behind them. I'm referring to the Live At Billy Bob's CD's. Great stuff! The 2nd one includes, as a tribute to Johnny Cash, the best version of "Folsom Prison Blues" I've ever heard; included fiddle and steel. ------------------ |
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Randy Mason Member From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
posted 08 July 2005 07:25 PM
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I talked to Merle last week on the phone and he is feeling great and was excited to have worked with Les Paul. (90 yrs old)He said he sang TROUBLE IN MIND. Bonnie can hardly remember anyone most times. Fuzzy Owen (like a brother to her)said it is very sad. She was great on the road and even ironed my clothes for me on the bus. I miss her. |
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daynawills Member From: Sacramento, CA |
posted 10 July 2005 11:40 PM
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Some years ago I went to a benefit for Billy Mize in Bakersfield. After the show, a bunch of us went to a little club to jam. I ended up seated next to Bonnie. I went up to sing. Al Bruno was there and asked if I knew The Wind Beneath My Wings and I sang the song. Bonnie left the table and went to an empty table and gave me her full attention. Turns out, that was her favorite song. I sent her a copy of my vocal and thanked her for her kind words. A few years later I went with friends to see Haggard at the San Joaquin County Fair. We had all-access backstage passes. I saw Bonnie when she peeked out of her motor-home. She said hi to the friends I was with and then she said, "Hi Dayna, got your tape". I nearly fell over. To think she remembered me! But Bonnie just never saw a stranger. If Hag and Buck think they own Bakersfield, they better think again. That's Bonnie's town. I spoke with Redd V. a couple of years ago and he said she had to quit the road. It kills me when I hear of people suffering with that horrible disease. Benny Garcia, who played guitar on my cds, has Alzheimer's and he has had to quit going to gigs. ------------------ |
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Tracy Sheehan Member From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA |
posted 13 July 2005 06:49 AM
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I am also sorry to hear about Bonnie.She was a real trooper.I worked a 2 week job with her in Lompac,Ca.back in the late 50's or early 60's.Don't remember if i played steel or fiddle.But the place the agent put us was a rock joint and the drug heads treated her like dirt bcause she was country.But she stuck it out.I don't know how tho.As i said,she was a real trooper.Tracy |
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