I would never have guessed that, behind their political acumen, behind their wealth of institutional knowledge, my esteemed colleagues are musical deep at heart. The death of Buck Owens over the weekend sparked some unique vocal stylings in our editorial office area this morning.

At least two of my colleagues offered up their renditions of “Tiger by the Tail” and “Act Naturally.” (Aren't you just curious to know who?) I guess I better start practicing my own singing. Never know when I’ll be called upon for backup.

I remember watching “Hee-Haw” as a child in our home growing up in the early 1970s. I didn’t realize that co-host Buck Owens was one of Bakersfield’s musical heroes. That was years before our family migrated here to the central San Joaquin Valley in 1978.