Don Rich
Encyclopedia
Donald Eugene Ulrich, best known by the stage name
Don Rich (August 15, 1941 - July 17, 1974) was a country music
ian who helped develop the Bakersfield sound
in the early 1960s. He was a noted guitarist
and fiddler
, and a member of the Buckaroos, the backing band of country singer Buck Owens
.
on August 15, 1941. He was the adopted son of Bill and Anne Ulrich. Don grew up in the Tumwater area at 6th and Ferry on Tumwater Hill. Bill and Anne both enjoyed performing music and soon began teaching young Don the fiddle, even as early as age three. Bill also constructed a smaller-than-average violin for Don to play. His parents were quite active in finding talent contests and performing venues where Don could play. Don also moved to the guitar in his youth.
Don played both in and out of school, often working the circuit in the local area playing his new Fender Stratocaster. Don was only 16 years old when he opened for Elvis Presley in September 1957 at the Tacoma Lincoln Bowl. While in high school he formed an early Rock and Roll band called the Blue Comets with his friends drummer Greg Hawkins and pianist Steve Anderson. By 1958 Don was playing regularly in Steve's Restaurant in South Tacoma. Buck Owens
observed one of his shows and immediately went to speak with Don. Don was soon playing fiddle with Buck at local venues. They were featured on the weekly BAR-K Jamboree on KTNT-TV 13. Soon after, Buck's "Under Your Spell Again" made it to #24 on the charts and Capitol Records
wanted Buck to return to Bakersfield, California
.
Buck tried to convince Don (who was fresh out of high school) to come with him to Bakersfield, but to no avail. Don opted to go to Centralia College
so that he could become a music teacher while tutoring and playing local venues. While at one of those gigs during college, Don met Marlane Schindler who was also a student at Centralia.
After a year of college, Don decided to drop out and join Buck in Bakersfield. Don signed on with Buck for $75 a week in December 1960. Not long after, Don returned to Washington to marry Marlane, who would work with the pair on their music, keeping Buck and his band performing. Don and Marlane would have two children, Vic and Vance Ulrich.
Now Don was now settled in and ready to start with Buck. The first single he played on was "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache)" which peaked at #2. When Buck and Don weren't recording, they would throw Buck's Telecaster and Bassman Amp and Don's fiddle into the back of Buck's old Ford pickup and hop from bar to bar, dance hall to dance hall, while playing with whatever house band they could find.
Buck and Don continued recording singles back in Bakersfield. In 1961 "Foolin' Around" spent eight weeks on the #2 slot. In 1962, change came to Buck and Don. Up until that point Buck had stuck to the Texas Shuffle style, with Don playing the role of the lonesome fiddler. That sound would change with Buck's single, "You're For Me", a song he'd written several years prior. The shuffle on the snare drum moved to a tightly closed high-hat. The off-beat was accented by an aggressive half-rimshot half-click on the snare drum. The bass went from upright to electric. Buck dubbed it the "freight train" sound, and it is now often referred to as the "Bakersfield Sound
".
In 1963, Buck decided to create a backing band for the sake of convenience when recording and touring, including drums, bass, and pedal steel. Don, naturally, was chosen as the band leader. Buck's old Ford gave way to a Chevrolet camper. During the early years of the band, members came and went quickly. Former members include Ken Presley (who died in a car accident while a member), Jay McDonald, Mel King, Wayne Stone, and Merle Haggard
. Before leaving, the latter christened the band "The Buckaroos" and the name stuck.
In early 1963, the Johnny Russell song "Act Naturally
" was pitched to Buck. Buck initially didn't like it, but Don enjoyed it a lot. It eventually grew on Buck and he recorded it with the Buckaroos on February 12, 1963. It was released on March 11 and entered the charts of April 13. By June 15 the single began its first of four non-consecutive weeks at the #1 position. It was Buck's first #1 hit.
"Act Naturally
" also marked Don's first appearance on lead guitar. Over the years Buck had taught Don his guitar style and by 1963 Don was ready to put down the fiddle and pick up Buck's Telecaster. Buck was more than happy to oblige, as this allowed him to concentrate on singing and being the frontman.
Buck and Don followed up with another freight train rhythm song, "Love's Gonna Live Here". It spent eight weeks at #1.
During the summer of 1963, Buckaroo's bassist Kenny Pierce walked out on the band during a tour. Don called in a bass-playing acquaintance named Doyle Holly. Shortly thereafter, Steel player Jay McDonald quit and was replaced by Tom Brumley.
Buck, Don, and the boys soon recorded two songs to release as a single in late January 1964. One was a fast song entitled "My Heart Skips a Beat". The other was a slow ballad about a returning love called "Together Again". Don played an excellent ride on "My Heart Skips a Beat" and Tom played what has been called one of the greatest steel guitar solos ever on "Together Again". Both songs shot up to #1 simultaneously and switched spots multiple times.
Don and Doyle soon hired a young man from Texas named Willie Cantu to play drums for the Buckaroos in January 1964. In July of that year, the new band recorded "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)". This too went to #1 and brought forth another twangy guitar solo from Don's bag of tricks.
In 1965, the hits just kept coming. There was "Tiger by The Tail", "Before You Go" (which Don co-wrote), "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" and "Buckaroo" which was the only instrumental ever to go #1 on the country charts.
Also around that time, Fender took notice of the Buckaroo's popularity. They had given Buck a golden sparkle Telecaster prior, but this time they outfitted the whole band. Buck received a Fender Acoustic, Don a Champagne Sparkle Fender Telecaster, and Doyle a Champagne Sparkle Jazz Bass. On top of that, Willie received a sparkle Drum Kit from Rodgers and Tom got a 11-string pedal steel from ZB guitars (This allowed Tom to play Don's licks during the choruses of songs, leaving Don free to harmonize with Buck).
On January 3, 1966, "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" was released which went to #1. On March 15, Buck and his Buckaroos began filming a half hour television show entitled "The Buck Owens Ranch Show" (the show was filmed and distributed for several years, being canceled because it came into conflict with Buck's other project, Hee Haw
).
Ten days later the group would travel to New York City to play Carnegie Hall. The show was recorded live and is considered by many to be one of the finest live country music records of all time. Buck would later say that the band was so tight that they didn't have to go back in post-production and fix any mistakes, as there were none to be found.
Buck and Don continued recording, scoring #1 hits in 1966 with "Think of Me" (which was penned by Don), "Open Up Your Heart" and "Where Does The Good Times Go?". In late 1966 Doyle Holly left for a nine month period and his vacant spot was filled by Wayne Wilson. That didn't slow Buck and Don down, scoring two #1 hits in 1967 ("Sam's Place" and "Your Tender Loving Care") and recording another live album, this time in Japan, which also went on to great success.
During 1968, Buck and Don decided to start experimenting outside of the freight train sound, but the success continued. "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone?" hit #1 and the group recorded another live record at The White House. That LP would not be released until 1972. Buck also signed onto Hee Haw
in 1968, and Don was appointed as the musical director.
In 1969, Buck and Don hit #1 with both "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass?" and "Tall Dark Stranger". Don added a new experimental fuzztone guitar part to the former. Hee Haw aired on CBS from 1969 through 1971 and afterward promptly went into syndication in 1971 and remained a weekly series through the summer of 1992. The Buckaroos served as the house band, and Buck was suddenly getting national exposure on a weekly basis. Another live record was also recorded in 1969, "In London".
Buck and the Buckaroos continued playing, recording, and filming Hee Haw episodes. The Buckaroos continued changing and morphing, until Don was the only original member. Buck and Don together would reach #1 one last time with "Made in Japan" which was released in 1972. Buck started to turn his music back towards the style he had in the earlier years, but the short success of this turnaround would be cut short in an instant on July 17, 1974.
Owens was devastated by the news, and for years did not talk about Rich's death. In a late 1990s interview, Owens said, "He was like a brother, a son, and a best friend. Something I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think my music life ended when he died. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."
Buck and Don received new guitars in 1966, a pair of Silver Flake Telecasters that were double bound in plain black. Also around 1966, Buck had Bakersfield guitar repairman/technician Gene Moles finish another set of guitars in Red White and Blue. Fender would also give Don a Gold Sparkle Tele in the late 60's that was bound in plain black. It had no finish on the headstock.
Fender's deal with most of their artists was that they would exchange their instruments for new ones every 7 years or so. Buck refused to return the instruments given to them by Fender, so Fender stopped giving them instruments. Gibson picked up on this and in the early 70's they struck up a deal with Buck. Don received an ES-335 as well as a Les Paul
Professional model.
Buck and Don would later go back to playing their Red, White and Blue Telecasters.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Don Rich (August 15, 1941 - July 17, 1974) was a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
ian who helped develop the Bakersfield sound
Bakersfield sound
The Bakersfield sound was a genre of country music developed in the mid- to late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California. The many hit singles were largely produced by Capitol Records country music head, Ken Nelson. Bakersfield country was a reaction against the slickly produced, string...
in the early 1960s. He was a noted guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
, and a member of the Buckaroos, the backing band of country singer Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
.
Biography
Donald Eugene Ulrich was born in Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
on August 15, 1941. He was the adopted son of Bill and Anne Ulrich. Don grew up in the Tumwater area at 6th and Ferry on Tumwater Hill. Bill and Anne both enjoyed performing music and soon began teaching young Don the fiddle, even as early as age three. Bill also constructed a smaller-than-average violin for Don to play. His parents were quite active in finding talent contests and performing venues where Don could play. Don also moved to the guitar in his youth.
Don played both in and out of school, often working the circuit in the local area playing his new Fender Stratocaster. Don was only 16 years old when he opened for Elvis Presley in September 1957 at the Tacoma Lincoln Bowl. While in high school he formed an early Rock and Roll band called the Blue Comets with his friends drummer Greg Hawkins and pianist Steve Anderson. By 1958 Don was playing regularly in Steve's Restaurant in South Tacoma. Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
observed one of his shows and immediately went to speak with Don. Don was soon playing fiddle with Buck at local venues. They were featured on the weekly BAR-K Jamboree on KTNT-TV 13. Soon after, Buck's "Under Your Spell Again" made it to #24 on the charts and Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
wanted Buck to return to Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
.
Buck tried to convince Don (who was fresh out of high school) to come with him to Bakersfield, but to no avail. Don opted to go to Centralia College
Centralia College
Centralia College is a two-year institution of higher learning located in Centralia, Washington. Founded in 1925, Centralia is the oldest continuously operating community college in the state of Washington. As shown below, the college sits on in the middle of the town of Centralia...
so that he could become a music teacher while tutoring and playing local venues. While at one of those gigs during college, Don met Marlane Schindler who was also a student at Centralia.
After a year of college, Don decided to drop out and join Buck in Bakersfield. Don signed on with Buck for $75 a week in December 1960. Not long after, Don returned to Washington to marry Marlane, who would work with the pair on their music, keeping Buck and his band performing. Don and Marlane would have two children, Vic and Vance Ulrich.
Now Don was now settled in and ready to start with Buck. The first single he played on was "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache)" which peaked at #2. When Buck and Don weren't recording, they would throw Buck's Telecaster and Bassman Amp and Don's fiddle into the back of Buck's old Ford pickup and hop from bar to bar, dance hall to dance hall, while playing with whatever house band they could find.
Buck and Don continued recording singles back in Bakersfield. In 1961 "Foolin' Around" spent eight weeks on the #2 slot. In 1962, change came to Buck and Don. Up until that point Buck had stuck to the Texas Shuffle style, with Don playing the role of the lonesome fiddler. That sound would change with Buck's single, "You're For Me", a song he'd written several years prior. The shuffle on the snare drum moved to a tightly closed high-hat. The off-beat was accented by an aggressive half-rimshot half-click on the snare drum. The bass went from upright to electric. Buck dubbed it the "freight train" sound, and it is now often referred to as the "Bakersfield Sound
Bakersfield sound
The Bakersfield sound was a genre of country music developed in the mid- to late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California. The many hit singles were largely produced by Capitol Records country music head, Ken Nelson. Bakersfield country was a reaction against the slickly produced, string...
".
In 1963, Buck decided to create a backing band for the sake of convenience when recording and touring, including drums, bass, and pedal steel. Don, naturally, was chosen as the band leader. Buck's old Ford gave way to a Chevrolet camper. During the early years of the band, members came and went quickly. Former members include Ken Presley (who died in a car accident while a member), Jay McDonald, Mel King, Wayne Stone, and Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
. Before leaving, the latter christened the band "The Buckaroos" and the name stuck.
In early 1963, the Johnny Russell song "Act Naturally
Act Naturally
"Act Naturally" is a song written by Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison, originally recorded by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, whose version reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 1963, his first chart-topper...
" was pitched to Buck. Buck initially didn't like it, but Don enjoyed it a lot. It eventually grew on Buck and he recorded it with the Buckaroos on February 12, 1963. It was released on March 11 and entered the charts of April 13. By June 15 the single began its first of four non-consecutive weeks at the #1 position. It was Buck's first #1 hit.
"Act Naturally
Act Naturally
"Act Naturally" is a song written by Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison, originally recorded by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, whose version reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 1963, his first chart-topper...
" also marked Don's first appearance on lead guitar. Over the years Buck had taught Don his guitar style and by 1963 Don was ready to put down the fiddle and pick up Buck's Telecaster. Buck was more than happy to oblige, as this allowed him to concentrate on singing and being the frontman.
Buck and Don followed up with another freight train rhythm song, "Love's Gonna Live Here". It spent eight weeks at #1.
During the summer of 1963, Buckaroo's bassist Kenny Pierce walked out on the band during a tour. Don called in a bass-playing acquaintance named Doyle Holly. Shortly thereafter, Steel player Jay McDonald quit and was replaced by Tom Brumley.
Buck, Don, and the boys soon recorded two songs to release as a single in late January 1964. One was a fast song entitled "My Heart Skips a Beat". The other was a slow ballad about a returning love called "Together Again". Don played an excellent ride on "My Heart Skips a Beat" and Tom played what has been called one of the greatest steel guitar solos ever on "Together Again". Both songs shot up to #1 simultaneously and switched spots multiple times.
Don and Doyle soon hired a young man from Texas named Willie Cantu to play drums for the Buckaroos in January 1964. In July of that year, the new band recorded "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)". This too went to #1 and brought forth another twangy guitar solo from Don's bag of tricks.
In 1965, the hits just kept coming. There was "Tiger by The Tail", "Before You Go" (which Don co-wrote), "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" and "Buckaroo" which was the only instrumental ever to go #1 on the country charts.
Also around that time, Fender took notice of the Buckaroo's popularity. They had given Buck a golden sparkle Telecaster prior, but this time they outfitted the whole band. Buck received a Fender Acoustic, Don a Champagne Sparkle Fender Telecaster, and Doyle a Champagne Sparkle Jazz Bass. On top of that, Willie received a sparkle Drum Kit from Rodgers and Tom got a 11-string pedal steel from ZB guitars (This allowed Tom to play Don's licks during the choruses of songs, leaving Don free to harmonize with Buck).
On January 3, 1966, "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" was released which went to #1. On March 15, Buck and his Buckaroos began filming a half hour television show entitled "The Buck Owens Ranch Show" (the show was filmed and distributed for several years, being canceled because it came into conflict with Buck's other project, Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
).
Ten days later the group would travel to New York City to play Carnegie Hall. The show was recorded live and is considered by many to be one of the finest live country music records of all time. Buck would later say that the band was so tight that they didn't have to go back in post-production and fix any mistakes, as there were none to be found.
Buck and Don continued recording, scoring #1 hits in 1966 with "Think of Me" (which was penned by Don), "Open Up Your Heart" and "Where Does The Good Times Go?". In late 1966 Doyle Holly left for a nine month period and his vacant spot was filled by Wayne Wilson. That didn't slow Buck and Don down, scoring two #1 hits in 1967 ("Sam's Place" and "Your Tender Loving Care") and recording another live album, this time in Japan, which also went on to great success.
During 1968, Buck and Don decided to start experimenting outside of the freight train sound, but the success continued. "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone?" hit #1 and the group recorded another live record at The White House. That LP would not be released until 1972. Buck also signed onto Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
in 1968, and Don was appointed as the musical director.
In 1969, Buck and Don hit #1 with both "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass?" and "Tall Dark Stranger". Don added a new experimental fuzztone guitar part to the former. Hee Haw aired on CBS from 1969 through 1971 and afterward promptly went into syndication in 1971 and remained a weekly series through the summer of 1992. The Buckaroos served as the house band, and Buck was suddenly getting national exposure on a weekly basis. Another live record was also recorded in 1969, "In London".
Buck and the Buckaroos continued playing, recording, and filming Hee Haw episodes. The Buckaroos continued changing and morphing, until Don was the only original member. Buck and Don together would reach #1 one last time with "Made in Japan" which was released in 1972. Buck started to turn his music back towards the style he had in the earlier years, but the short success of this turnaround would be cut short in an instant on July 17, 1974.
Death
On July 17, 1974, after finishing work at Owens' Bakersfield studio, Rich was killed in a motorcycle accident. He had been en route to join his family for vacation on the central coast of California. For unknown reasons, his motorcycle hit a center divider on northbound Highway 1 at Yerba Buena Road in Morro Bay. He was pronounced dead at 10:37 that evening. California Highway Patrol officials stated that there were no skid marks and no apparent mechanical problems. Reports indicated that Owens had pleaded with Rich not to take his motorcycle that day and had been pleading with him for years to quit riding.Owens was devastated by the news, and for years did not talk about Rich's death. In a late 1990s interview, Owens said, "He was like a brother, a son, and a best friend. Something I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think my music life ended when he died. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."
Musical Equipment
Don Rich used primarily Fender guitars and amps. In the early days, Don would play Buck's ’51 Telecaster through a Bassman amplifier. In 1964, Fender gave Buck Owens an endorsement deal and the band gained instruments. Don received a Telecaster that had both its body and headstock finished in champagne metal flake in addition to having checkerboard binding on both sides of the guitar's body. The band received Fender amplifiers as well, so Don played through a Twin Reverb amplifier.Buck and Don received new guitars in 1966, a pair of Silver Flake Telecasters that were double bound in plain black. Also around 1966, Buck had Bakersfield guitar repairman/technician Gene Moles finish another set of guitars in Red White and Blue. Fender would also give Don a Gold Sparkle Tele in the late 60's that was bound in plain black. It had no finish on the headstock.
Fender's deal with most of their artists was that they would exchange their instruments for new ones every 7 years or so. Buck refused to return the instruments given to them by Fender, so Fender stopped giving them instruments. Gibson picked up on this and in the early 70's they struck up a deal with Buck. Don received an ES-335 as well as a Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
Professional model.
Buck and Don would later go back to playing their Red, White and Blue Telecasters.
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | We're Real Good Friends (with Buddy Alan Buddy Alan Alvis Alan Owens , known professionally as Buddy Alan, is an American country music artist. The son of Buck Owens and Bonnie Owens and stepson of Merle Haggard, Alan recorded four albums for Capitol Records in the 1970s... ) |
36 | Capitol |
| 2000 | Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology Country Pickin': The Don Rich Anthology is a compilation album featuring Don Rich, American guitarist, fiddler, and long-time sideman of Buck Owens, released in 2000.-History:... |
Sundazed Sundazed Records Sundazed Records is a record label based in Coxsackie, in the Catskills of New York. It specializes in obscure and rare recordings from the 1950s to the 1970s.Label founders Bob Irwin and his wife Mary started the label in 1989... |
Singles
| Year | Single | US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "Cowboy Convention" (with Buddy Alan Buddy Alan Alvis Alan Owens , known professionally as Buddy Alan, is an American country music artist. The son of Buck Owens and Bonnie Owens and stepson of Merle Haggard, Alan recorded four albums for Capitol Records in the 1970s... ) |
19 | We're Real Good Friends |
| 1971 | "I'm on the Road to Memphis" (with Buddy Alan) | 54 |
External links
- Don Rich bio - Bakersfield Californian
- Don Rich tribute page by Buckaroos steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
ist Jerry BrightmanJerry BrightmanJerry Brightman is a pedal steel guitarist who played for Buck Owens and the The Buckaroos and featured on television's Hee Haw along with performing on many top 10 records with Buck, Susan Raye, Tony Booth, and others. Impressing audiences at an early age, he began playing professionally in 1966...