Crystal Palace on the eve of Buck Owens' viewing - By N.L. Belardes

He's a pop culture icon for rocking country with a sound all Bakersfield. He's pop culture for Hee Haw hillbilly. He's a jammin' legend at the heart of Nashville West where you can get biscuits as good as grandma's and see guitars more American than apple pie. And now he will be viewed in that very restaurant tomorrow...

I was curious on such an eve. I headed out to the Crystal Palace to take a walk around... I wondered what the morning would hold. Would it rain all over again?


The sign glowed high above Buck Owens' Boulevard.


The building itself stood like a big mansion on a creepy hill.


Mannequins behind a black fence: poised sentinels for the ghost of Buck to join them.


The green glowing letters like dark hands over the Crystal Palace...


I took this photo as a van parked.


People got out of the van and placed flowers in the darkness of the people's memorial to Buck Owens...

It all reminded me of what the drummer said of the darkness and the explosion above the Crystal Palace the night Buck Owens died.

Day 3: More protests as city folk get angry

I watched the crowd from the fourth floor of a nearby building as protesters walked from Chester Avenue, coming from the north. After about a half an hour of hearing yelling from down on the street, I decided to take a break from work and wander down into the crowd. This was Day 3 of the student protest of HR4437. I was soon to witness anger from passing motorists and bystanders, and even from protesters. Both sides showed restraint, but possibly only because there was a large police contingent, stronger than before, and who contained the protesters to some extent, keeping them off the streets at least, and blocking the street with road blocks just in case some students decided to defy the police force. When I finally made my way down, the crowd was beginning to slowly head east on Truxton Avenue.



Near Chester Avenue and Truxton stood a few counter-protesters. Students from the main body of protesters heckled one man who stood and waved an American flag and a sign. Another man with an American flag I saw being interviewed by KUZZ.







I followed along and asked several students where they were from. “South High,” said at least six kids. One student said he was from West High. He was wrapped in an American flag.

“Aren’t the schools on lockdown today?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“What’s going to happen to you when you go back?”

“Expulsion.”

“How did you get away from school? Did anyone try to stop you?”

“A lot of us didn’t go to school today. Some kids hopped fences.”





I wandered with the crowd to see one man passing out yellow signs about a rally. A little further on I saw a lady wearing sunglasses, a long-sleeved blue shirt and a cell phone attached to her hip like a six-shooter. She started yelling at the students.


Angry heckler...

“Get out of here! Go back to fucking school! You don’t love your country if you carry the Mexican flag!”

There were arguments by a group of counter protesters as well who turned and quickly grew angry.


Angry protesters...

The protesters showed restraint, with one girl saying, “We need to move, I don’t want to get arrested.” Along with the Chicano pride there seemed a mix of anger, steadfastness, determination, and the energy of youth. Hecklers on either side seemed to be pushing emotional buttons that triggered American pride and an enthusiasm to protest.



Soon, a man in a passing truck yelled, “Get the fuck back in school, dumb asses!”

I got angry that people would just yell like that. I’m not dumb. I know a lot of yelling was racially motivated on both sides. Chicano Pride often overwhelmed the multi-ethnic immigration issues in the crowd, whereas passing motorists were often non-Chicano who yelled explicatives. I saw the same thing on day two by a city worker. Sure, there are many Latinos against the protest, but what I witnessed was often a judgemental attitude, of people angry kids weren’t in school.

I don’t blame the crowds for being mostly Latino. We live in the Central Valley, an area rich in Latino heritage. California is a strong Latino state, so it makes sense that the forerunners in the valley protests are of the same heritage. Perhaps a better organized event would have reached more strongly out to other ethnic groups to co-march. Either way, if in the crowd long enough, and if one took the time to talk to the students, people would find many were walking for a multi-ethnic cause, even though there was a healthy dose of anger that seemed to escalate from the appearance of more hecklers and a few counter protesters.

Three of my favorite photos of the protest so far:


Day 1: My favorite protest shirt reads, "Suck my balls, Bush." I just thought it was funny. I actually don't hate Bush. Well, not that I love him either...


Day 2: Look at these prideful faces.


Day 3: This is quite a flag moment.

Kern Radio photos.

Dusty gives a nice link to one of my Jagels photos.

Gary loves Kenny as new gritty britty song makes debut in Bakersfield tonight - By N.L. Belardes

Just prior to the day of the world’s final viewing of Buck Owens, there will be a scandalous performance at McGee’s in the Ice House. That’s tonight, Friday night. Oh sure, Brit Pop, dreampop, alternative lounge, unlucky London Llama Jammas—whatever you want to call it, it is not country music. And I don’t think there is going to be a Buck Owen’s tribute, which is scandalous in itself. Although, let me point out that tonight the scandals reign supreme in this steakhouse with an attitude. Oh yes, The Dalloways are going to launch their epic controversy in song with a ditty titled, “Kenny Filthy”. That comes just a few weeks after Dirty Spanglish covered the Filthies, “Donut Shop” at a local Bakersfield Frosty King burger joint.





I held back in a recent interview with Kenny Mount in Buck City Episode 31. I could have started the whole Dalloways-Filthies war there—and probably should have—as the tensions are mounting over just what Gary Enns might say in a nearly 8-minute britty gritty rock opera about one of Bakersfield’s own rural rock punk kingpins. Just what could be said? What kind of lyrics is Gary pouring over? and what scandalous news does he have about Kenny ‘Motor’ Mount that an exposing piece of music is the result?

I’m showing up. I thought the student protest was near riotous today, but tonight if Kenny Mount steps foot into McGees, we could see some kind of tragic episode…

Here’s the press release I was tipped off with:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Gary Enns
Telephone: 661-331-5000
Email: info@dalloways.com
Website: http://www.dalloways.com
Hi Res:
http://www.dalloways.com/pages/sub/about/photographs.htm


LIVE MUSIC EVENT: THE DALLOWAYS PERFORM THREE SETS IN
BAKERSFIELD

DATE: Friday, March 31
VENUE: McGee’s at the Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
TEL: (661) 323-8730
BAND: The Dalloways
TIME: Three sets! Start times: 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 PM
COST: Free!
DETAILS: California dreampopsters The Dalloways
perform three sets at fine dining establishment and
club, McGee’s at the Ice House. The Dalloways will
perform standards off their full length CD Penalty
Crusade, play choice covers by Tears for Fears, The
Smiths, and House of Love, and debut new tunes,
including the scandalous and tragic “Kenny Filthy.”
For more information on The Dalloways and this
performance, visit http://www.dalloways.com.

Day 3: Again...

Student protester/speaker sends in journal account, says to write congressman and stay in school - By N.L. Belardes

Here's a firsthand account from a Bakersfield High School student protester sent in to me today about his experiences during the protest on Day 1:


Jordan Fisher's Account of the Bakersfield student protest - Day 1:


Tuesday the 28th

6:00 PM- I go to Target and spend 4 dollars on a large piece of white posterboard and a thick ended sharpie.

6:45 PM- I arrive back at home and fashion my sign, which reads "Without Mexicans California is Screwed"

Wednesday the 29th

7:00 AM- My alarm goes off.

8:30 AM- I get out of bed and take a shower, taking care to pick out my Rage Against the Machine shirt.

9:30 AM- I arrive at school, where things are clearly in a heightened state of tension- police officers were everywhere and every entrance and exit to the school where heavily monitored. after searching forever, I finally found a spot in the forbidden staff lot, but since the day was about rising up and fighting the power, I figured it wouldnt kill anyone to park in a teachers spot.

9:45 AM- After taking a look around to see if kids were actually going to stay until 10 and then leave, I determined they weren't, grabbed my sign, and met a few friends. One of my friends also made a sign (which was impractically wordy and impossible to read) and on her way to her car to get it, we ran into the principal. Being part of the upper tier of educational kids at BHS (we did forensics, journalism, ACA DEC, etc.), Mr. Reese was no stranger to us and addressed us by name when he told us that we were not to take our cars, but we were free to exit campus via campus way out on to H street.

10:30 AM- After some confusion regarding our marching route, we finally arrived at the courthouse. The march overall was a unique experience. As a white kid, I was unsure what the reaction would be, but I found that it really didnt make a difference - they were just happy to see that I was there to support the cause. People were orderly, stayed on the sidewalks, and kept positive about what they set out to do.

10:45- Things finally got started with the megaphones and such, although they werent nearly loud enough and the speaking didnt necessarily get the message out that it could have. A lot of peole really liked my sign, and when they called for representatives from schools to speak, I took it upon myself to get up there and say a few words. All I really had to say was that it wasnt a cause that just mexican people should be fighting for, and that it would affect people of all races. My main point however, was that walkouts are only so effective - if you really want to make a difference, the best thing you can do is write to your local congressman and most importantly, get out and vote.

11:20- Things pretty much disbanded, everone decided we were going to march to CSUB and we headed back to campus where I had to jump the fence when no one was looking to get my car. myself and two friends who didnt quite feel like marching to CSUB from downtown was desirable once again left campus and went on a quest to find something to decorate my car with to show we were part of the brigade. We settled on colored electrical tape, as it was the best Pep Boys had to offer, and crafted slogans such as " Viva Freedom" "USA" and "I {heart} Mexicans!" in various colors on the windows and taped my sign to the back of my car.

12:00- We caught up with the crowd again, and by this time they had made it to the corner of stockdale and new stine. We drove up and down, honking and waving and cheering until the police started to make shifty eyes at the fact that there was someone hanging out of my sunroof while I was driving, so we decided that the day called for some mexican food.

12:45- We went to the Los Hermanos on Gosford and Stockdale and finished our food just as the crowd was making its way across the intersection. We rejoined them, driving along with them and honking and cheering, and when they finally made it to CSUB we hunted down a parking spot and joined the protest again. this time, there was a proper PA system, and everyone could hear- again I took it upon myself to represent my school and spoke a few more times, restating my encouragement to become active politically and to get out and vote, and I also thanked the police officers who dedicated their day to making sure we safely made it from downtown to CSUB.

2:20- things finally wound down, and we headed back to school. in my mind, it was a successful day.

However, I do have a new message. Although I think it was great that we got everyones attention with the walkout, go back to school. At this point, it's only costing the school money, and you, your education - not mention the thousands of dollars being wasted paying officers overtime to make sure you dont riot. What we need to do now is write to the government officials who actually vote bills down and represent us and really make a difference. I'm not saying the fight is over, but if you want to win, this is the next step.

Thanks,
Jordan Fisher (Senior, BHS)

Unity Podcast 1: Bakersfield student protest on Buck City Podcast 33, Bakotunes Radio, with Cheesedoodle Productions - By N.L. Belardes

You can subscribe to the Buck City Podcast. Go to iTUNES and check it out... or plug in the feed to a player.

Or you can just download the MP3 of episode #33: 'Unity Podcast on BUCK CITY #33: student protest day 1'


Lydia 'Chanclas' Gonzales of Mas Magazine


DJ Matt from Bakotunes Radio on Bakotopia.com

Episode 33:

In the first unity podcast between Buck City, Bakotunes Radio and Cheesedoodle Productions, N.L., DJ Matt and Lydia 'Chanclas' Gonzales get together at the CSUB Student Union building and talk about the Bakersfield student protest on March 29, 2006.

Exclusive: Buck Owens' drummer on Buck City Podcast 32 talks about Buck's final performance - By N.L. Belardes

You can subscribe to the Buck City Podcast. Go to iTUNES and check it out... or plug in the feed to a player.

Or you can just download the MP3 of episode #32: 'Buck Owens' drummer talks about Buck's final performance'


Dave Wulfekuehler reminisces...




The image of Dave I took at the May, 2005 statue
unveiling outside of the Crystal Palace
in Bakersfield, California

Episode 32:

Dave Wulfekuehler talks to N.L. Belardes about Buck's final performance

Hear Dave talk about how he met Buck Owens

Listen in to Dave talk about backstage at the statue unveiling

Discover what Buck Owens meant to Dave and how Buck's toughness was an inspiration

Find out about the eerie night outside of the Crystal Palace after Buck Owens' last show...

Day 1 (Part Two): Bakersfield High leads massive student protest into downtown Bakersfield - By N.L. Belardes

(images coming soon!)

On Wednesday at the Rabobank Ed Jagels stood giving an interview with channel 17 (I didn’t hear the interview but you can read Bako Carpetbagger’s views on the interview and his post on the protests). I snapped some photos of the Jagels’ interview then went and saw the massive contingent of protesters heading down Truxton Avenue toward the Rabobank. The students walked briskly and stalled at a corner red light while students around me held up signs toward the large mass of students across the street. I could hear police sternly telling students to stay on the sidewalk. Over on California Avenue I had taken a few photos of students in the street as the police yelled for them to get back on the sidewalk. I recognized one police officer as Deron Miller. I haven't talked to him in some time, but I knew him for years. We played a lot of basketball and hockey together...













Outside the Rabobank the student masses literally poured into the area around me and around the fountain. I took a few photos and saw excited reactions from students as they observed me with the camera. I noticed a high energy from students who cheered at the media, whether me with a camera, or toward other media folks. Students were definitely motivated by attention, creating media awareness, and the excitement and energy all around. I then walked over to where Ed Jagels stood giving the interview and began taking photos.



It was just moments later that students moved into the area where Ed Jagels was giving an interview. One young Latino seemed to bump Jagels as he swung a large Mexican flag right in view of the camera; which was right behind Jagels. And then a few pairs of students with flags moved into the area, which may have brought an end to the interview, because Jagels looked around, seemingly overwhelmed and the interview soon ended. He grimaced and then shook the reporter’s hand while at least two Mexico flags were swung nearby as students carrying them danced around his immediate vicinity.











After the news crew peeled away there was a strange moment as I watched Jagels in a judgmental pose with his arms held behind his back, and then crossed in front of him as he observed kids in a near chaotic situation: running, chanting, and some actually jumping into the fountain. He turned away during those moments as if disgusted, and then as if in his own quiet way, turned back around and stared as if taunting the very energy of the morning to dare get more chaotic.







Jagels then spoke with a few men, one in a light blue shirt and dark grey slacks. He walked to a probation department car, spoke a few words, and then talked to a few more folks. He walked back onto the sidewalk and looked into the crowd in the direction of one young girl who had run into the fountain. The same girl and another soon followed. Just then Jagels cupped his face with his hand. A smirk nearly hid beneath his shadowy grasp, but still peeked through enough to be captured in a photo moment.







I did an interview with some students after that. They seemed to have an idea that they were taking a stand for immigration while not knowing all the facts. But then, this was an awareness raising day. Days later many of the participating students hopefully will learn a lot about immigration and the HR4437 amnesty bill they were protesting. Later at the bell on Truxton Avenue a speaker informed many of the protestors why such a march was so important.







After my interview with Buck Owens’ drummer, Buckaroo Dave Wulfekuehler at Jags Coffeehouse across the street from the Rabobank, I walked west to see many protesters were still congregating up and down Truxton Avenue. Many of them had poured onto Truxton Avenue. An hour had gone by, and I was shocked to see so many students and police. I heard police had taken up positions on surrounding buildings. One witness said that police on the buildings didn’t seem overly concerned and were observed laughing and talking (Laughing doesn't mean they weren't doing their jobs. In the unity podcast you will hear some thanks for the BPD keeping control of the walkout).





I called Matt Munoz at that time to come down to the protest. He literally ran down the street from where he lives downtown to see what was going on. I headed to the downtown bell to find the War Day’s Director and many others, including one protester who stood holding the American flag upside-down. I did another interview, made some comments, and then left the protest to go eat lunch and do a few tasks at my regular downtown job. I eventually headed to CSU Bakersfield with Bakotopia friend, Matt Munoz in Chanclas' truck to where many protesters had driven over and even walked. Another reporter, Gabriel Martinez from Mas Magazine followed in another car. I sat in the back spare seat and we drove up Stockdale Highway toward the university and made small talk along the way. Except for Matt who snacked on an energy bar that Chanclas gave him from a blue bag.







We parked in a lot on the northeast side of campus, got out and saw many tired faces as students were leaving the protest on long walks back to their schools. Many students had already walked for miles and their trek wasn’t over—you could see it in their faces—and others in their slow gate as they made their way to Stockdale Highway.





Near the Student Union building Matt talked to the grandson of Dolores Huerta for a few moments. I saw CSUB professor, Dr. Santos talking to a few students and then we eventually made our way into the Student Union building where historic UFW photos had been placed on easels. There was going to be a Teatro Campesino performance that night, written by a student from North Carolina. We finally made our way to get some beer, and where we could do a unity podcast discussing the day’s events.







The unity podcast itself was one-of-a-kind. Matt and I swung microphones around as each of us spoke, and we all joked and talked for some time until I accidentally lost a huge portion of my podcast. I thought the power had gone out in my recorder. We found an outlet where inside hung a very fat and nasty black widow. Those who know me understand my deathly fear of them: the 1999 Halloween death bite at a hockey game. Chanclas poked the spider out of its hiding place with a pen and all was well.



I wrote a few spider poems when in the hospital while on Morphine and Phenobarbitol and feeling trapped. Here are a few I wrote just as I left the hospital and headed into the Tehachapis, wondering about poison and life:

1.
I began reading Cain’s Book again…
Trocchi, lying on his bunk, “under the influence of heroin, inviolable.”
The golden mountains we ascend towards the desert, inviolable;
Under patches of light and low lying rainclouds from a Pacific storm.
Having bedraggled over the coastal range, in their beauty, leaving the system.
On Phenobarb and Valium, head spinning.
Perhaps the black widow toxin is inviolable, creeping still,
Along the scows in my veins.


2.
I’m out of the hospital.
Me and my morphine, leaving the system.
We head under a bulging grey cloud to the mountains.
Shadows move over golden burnt foxtails.
Darkness over the freeway.
Cars like venom. Did I almost really die?
I asked to.
Thrashing on the gurney.
Toxin exploding in mad blood moments.
A boxer on the side of the road.
Autumn says, “He’s going to get killed.”
And then gone…
we pass vineyards where rattlesnake hunters sneak for dens
…and citrus groves, where sunlight and the grey cloud hover.
And up towards the desert, where poison lurks.

I couldn't help but to think about such poems while Chanclas poked at that spider. I wondered about the toxic moments of a student protest, and if efforts would be poisonous in the end or an anti-venom for such a cause. Who knows? Time will reveal what will happen for all immigrants. The issue is hot and nearly toxic in debates.

Rain sprinkled on us as we sat outside. Another group sat at a nearby table where one young man fell onto a chair. He tumbled and we laughed. Grey-white clouds rolled across the campus sky as we grew cold. Even the beer didn't seem to help warm us as we spoke and recorded our own interviews on a historic first day of student protests in Bakersfield.

The calm before the storm? - By N.L. Belardes

or has it all passed?


Centennial High and West High students gather in downtown Bakersfield early in the day to protest the hotly debated HR4437 immigration bill.


Late afternoon. The calm before the storm?

Kern walkouts mentioned in the LA Times - By N.L. Belardes

From the LA Times:

Walkouts Dwindle at L.A. Schools but Not Elsewhere
The district enforces truancy laws. But protests continue in San Diego, Kern counties.
By Cynthia H. Cho and Kelly-Anne Suarez, Times Staff Writers
March 30, 2006

The number of students who left Los Angeles schools to protest an immigration bill slowed to a trickle Wednesday as officials enforced truancy laws more strictly after two days of widespread walkouts.

But the protests continued unabated in San Diego County, prompting at least one district to close some campuses for the rest of the week.

Oceanside Unified School District Supt. Ken Noonan announced Wednesday afternoon that middle and high schools would be closed today and Friday to prevent protests from escalating into violence between student groups after police were called following some name-calling and shoving.

Officers were called to Oceanside High after some students defied the lock-down and tried to leave. Several students were detained and their parents were called. Police used Mace to keep students from leaving over a fence.

"We have received information that violence and racial tension could escalate throughout the community," Noonan said. "Student safety is my primary concern."

Farther north in Kern County, about 3,000 students walked out in a peaceful protest of the controversial bill pending in the House of Representatives, which would make illegal immigration a felony.

Almost all the schools in the Kern High School District participated in the walkout. School officials did not endorse the action, but made no effort to stop the marchers.

"They were encouraged to stay and come up with more powerful means to voice their opinions — letters to the Senate, for example. But if they wanted to leave, they were allowed to leave," said Alan Paradise, a district spokesman.

About 1,800 students took to the streets in and around Bakersfield. An additional 1,000 at Arvin High School marched to Arvin City Hall and headed toward Lamont along a two-lane road lined with vineyards. The school has the largest Latino student population in the region.

One of the few walkouts in Los Angeles on Wednesday occurred at Westchester High School near Los Angeles International Airport. About 60 students left as classes began, only to be picked up by two buses after marching about two miles.

The students were led to the school auditorium, where police and school district officials issued truancy citations.

Westchester Principal Anita L. Barner said each student would face such penalties as loss of driving privileges or a $250 fine.

The students had been urged to stay in school and express their opinions on campus.

"I'm upset because our students knew what the consequences were and they decided to walk anyway, despite all the activities we'd provided for them to voice their concerns," she said.

Also Wednesday, officials began to add up how much money was spent or could be lost because of the walkouts.

Larger districts, where thousands of students protested, stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in state money, which is calculated according to attendance. In the Los Angeles Unified School District, about 35,000 students walked out over the course of the protests, with many of them potentially listed as absentees.

Surviva Mendoza, assistant director of attendance and enrollment at L.A. Unified, estimated that the district could lose up to $1 million for the absences, based on a rate of $28 per student per day, depending on how many students actually skipped school for the entire day.

Santa Ana Unified, which recorded 4,277 absences for its middle and high schools Monday and Tuesday, could lose about $120,000.

The Long Beach Unified School District estimated that about 3,000 students were absent for all or a portion of the school day Monday and Tuesday, said spokesman Chris Eftychiou, who added that the district could lose as much as $85,000.

The effect was not only financial, he added: There was also the disruption to instruction.

"There are only so many days in the year…. Each day in class is precious," he said.

The LAPD, on tactical alert for the protests, had to pay officers overtime and pull them off normal duties, which meant some calls went unanswered, Lt. Paul Vernon said.

"When we go on tactical alert, we stop answering nonemergency calls," he said. "So when someone calls about, say, a suspicious man, we are not responding."

*

Times staff writers Tony Perry and J. Michael Kennedy contributed to this report.

N.L. chooses sides, stands with Bako Carpetbagger - By N.L. Belardes

It's a complex multi-ethnic debate with more than one side. But I wouldn't be writing this entertaining blog if it weren't for illegal immigration. I even told one guy "Shut up, asshole," as he marched to his city job in front of the Centennial High protesters and yelled, "Go back to class where you belong!"

I probably shouldn't have done that. And after I was so nice to that Parking Lot Road Rager.

And you don't have to agree with me. I had a polite talk with a legal immigrant today. I appreciate her take.

But peaceful protest=awareness. Just ask the folks representing the 'public good' in early America.

In the meantime, here's an excerpt from Bako Carpetbagger's pro-protest stance:

So the ideas behind the old axiom “There’s power in numbers,” or Thoreau’s “civil disobdience”? If they ain’t getting it in the classroom, then why the hell not on the streets? Because for damn sure those young people got heard today, didn’t they? Stodgy ol’ Bako hosted a SRO premiere recently of HBO’s film about the Chicano student movement of the late 1960’s in East LA, titled, appropriately, “Walkout.” Maybe that gave some people some ideas. Maybe that reminded some folks, young and old, that no matter what they’re told to the contrary, they do have power, in their feet and in their voices. Maybe it pissed some people off by reminding them that, no matter how much progress has been made in civil, educational, and economic rights since that time, all you have to do is look around your own schools, your own neighborhoods, to see that this doesn’t just affect one group and that despite loud public crowing over little successes, we ain’t done yet.

Not by a long shot.

So, yeah, like César said, “Sî, se puede.”.

And like Bob said, “Get up, stand up....”

You know the rest. Now do it.

Day 1: Bakersfield High leads massive student protest into downtown Bakersfield - By N.L. Belardes

The massive classroom walkout of 3,800 students wasn’t just in Bakersfield on Wednesday. The day before there was a walkout in Delano. And during the Bakersfield walkout, students walked out of classrooms in McFarland with reports of some students on Freeway 99. Reports indicated that administration officials tried to coax students there to speak on a football field.

Just what happened and why were the students walking in the Central Valley from schools like Bakersfield High, Arvin High, West High, Liberty High, South High, Stockdale High, Golden Valley High, Ridgeview High, East High, and Highland High?

It all has to do with Bill HR 4437 that is being debated in congress. The bill proposes to grant amnesty to certain undocumented immigrants in a pool of around 11 million possible cases. That amnesty question is hot in debate as individuals will be fined $1000, not once, but twice, and then also must learn the English language. If said undocumented immigrants don’t comply? Felony. Protestors are chanting “No criminalization!”, along with the bill’s proposal of more Border Patrol agents, a southern border wall, and some kind of work card for 1.5 million farm workers. And so students (and many other people) have been protesting across the nation in what is really a multi-ethnic question. Do a google.com search for immigration bill HR4437 and you will find out many more details about the bill and nation-wide protests.

In a specific Latino call for a meeting I received an email from the local Chicana Book Club that indicates possibly even another protest in Bakersfield specifically to march against the immigration bill and its possible effects against Latinos:

There will be a meeting tomorrow, Wed. March 29th at 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage of America Office at 1004 H. Street to plan an action here in Bakersfield in support of the National Immigration Day of Action on April 10th.

We believe it is important to make a stand here in Kern County in support of Legalization and against HR4437. We will be planning an action here in Bakersfield for Friday, April 7th, since Monday is the first day of Spring Break. Find out more at the planning meeting and have some input.

Please pass this email on to as many organization representatives that you feel may be interested. We need to stop this agenda of institutionalized racism against Latinos.

And not just that, but for the second day in a row there is a march in downtown Bakersfield as students from Centennial High head towards the city center… and I just got word of another protest, this going to occur tomorrow near McKinley School at a park near 2nd street. There is also word through myspace.com of another possible student walk-out this Friday.

The Central Valley is home to many Mexican immigrants, many likely undocumented. So when students with ties to the UFW carried such flags, mixed with a population of mostly Latino protestors, the march was in question. But not for long. Many students did carry Mexican flags, but then many began carrying American flags as well. I heard reporters had asked students (as did myself) if they just wanted to get out of class. I was surprised to hear how educated students were about HR4437 being a multi-ethnic issue, and how many students realized that the march was to be their own wake-up call in an 'awareness raising protest' that could only help grow the strength of follow-up protests in the coming days and weeks.

Early yesterday day I had arranged to meet with Dave Wulfekuehler, one of Buck Owens’ Buckaroos in an exclusive interview. While heading out to do that I got a call from Matt Munoz that students were walking out of classes at West High. I heard the day before there was going to be a Bakersfield High School walkout. Did I believe it? Not to the extreme of what I was to see.

I drove to West High and saw nothing. Not even a floating Mexican-American or Pinoy pride balloon. I called Matt who then said photographer Lydia of Mas Magazine/Cheesedoodle Productions had trouble finding the student-led protest as well.

And then I saw the walkout. Far ahead were the lights of many police vehicles, including some vehicles by BHS where administrators stood pointing students in the right direction to join their fellow protestors on California Avenue.











When I arrived near ‘L’ street I pulled over. I called Matt Munoz again and told him I found the protest. I then saw Lydia ‘Chanclas’ Gonzales in a very serious photographer stance snapping photos. I said hi anyways and walked to where I had a good view of the protestors. The crowd hadn’t traveled east as far as me yet and waited en masse to cross the street. When they did cross the street there was a high adrenaline rush of energy as I saw Mexican flags, students waving signs, and I heard some chanting. I looked for my own BHS kids in the crowd. One of them is in the same grade as protestor organizer, Angie Garcia.







At the time I didn’t know where the students were headed. They seemed disorganized at one point as they headed west on California Avenue. In the meantime I crossed to a median, snapped some photos of the crowd, of a passing car with a young girl with a cell phone, as many cars horns honked and passengers waved. I even stopped to take some photos of media folks who stood on the median and looked a little dazed on what to do and where to go. I can understand that. How could you find the organizer in such a crowd of youth?











I followed the crowd for a few minutes then as I headed over to jags coffeehouse on Truxton Avenue right across the street from the Rabobank I saw another small group headed there. I didn’t see Dave inside Jags so I called him and told him I was going to go across the street to the Rabobank to snap a few photos where another small group of protestors had arrived. At the Rabobank Ed Jagels stood giving an interview with channel 17 (I didn’t hear the interview but you can read Bako Carpetbagger’s views on the interview and his post on the protests). I snapped some photos of the Jagels interview then went and saw the massive contingent of protesters heading down Truxton Avenue toward the Rabobank.


To be continued…

More to come on the student protest Day 1 outside the Rabobank, near the city Bell, and at CSUB…

Centennial High student protest in downtown Bakersfield - By N.L. Belardes

Ten minutes ago... Taken around 9:40 am today:

Car honking, police in force over bullhorns, and students on the march against Bill HR4437. Ska King was on the scene.







*March included students from West High


(*) indicates reported later

Students from Centennial on the march - By N.L. Belardes

9:15 am...

Although I'm still working on Part One of my big write-up on the student protests, I just got word that Centennial High students are on their way downtown... and being escorted by police...

Ed Jagels overwhelmed at student protest - By N.L. Belardes

Big story coming soon.

Unity Podcasts by N.L. Belardes and DJ Matt of Bakotunes Radio with special guest, Lydia "Chanclas" Gonzales who all covered the massive student protest today in Bakersfield, California.

In the meantime:

District Attorney Ed Jagels was overwhelmed at the Rabobank today by students during a TV interview as kids poured into the very same area where Korn received their Backyard Street. After the interview he stood and stared at the massive protest building in front of him and at one point put his head in his hands.

More to come...






Ay carumba!

Parking lot road rage - By N.L. Belardes

It was tax time at the Buck City chuck wagon. Noveltown too. Time to tally up the books and CDs and see just how many lollipops worth of merchandise have been sold to supporters. Not the readers, but the supporters. You know who you are. And if you aren’t, now’s the time to buy a book or purchase a CD so this site can stay afloat. Yes, financial support is important. What’s $10.00 for a CD, $13.95 for a book, or $6.00 for an e-book? Remember, Noveltown is the only publishing company in the Southern Valley. Support it.

And it’s about to publish something big. Not by me, but by one of you fellow writers...

Stay tuned for the new Noveltown as it reaches out to the community to support Central Valley writers and California literature in both print and e-book form.

Now for my story of the day:

So there I was, getting all my beef jerky records together with accountant extraordinaire Matildakay. Although there were a million companies in this building, we parked in what we thought was a client spot for some lame-o billing services company. Of course we were wrong about it being a ‘client spot’ because when we came back outside we saw some yeehaw cowpoke had parked his Range Rover right behind us. I mean right as ass-close as you can get without spooning. “Uh oh. Someone is mad we took his spot,” I said. “Must be some president sleeze by the look of the car.” Right then I thought about what a key might do to this here yodeler’s paint job.

“Maybe they’re just running in for a second,” Matildakay said.

“Nah, this Wrangler is trying to piss us off. I knew the type: all cocky, chauvenistic and with his dollar bills rolled tight up his ass like a Simon Sundale with hair and youth on his side.”

So we waited a couple of minutes. No sign or smoke signal. So off I went to the lobby to find out where the Billing Services Company might be. Third floor. Easy enough. I took the elevator up and exited to find a posh office with sappy elevator music and Barbie Doll secretaries in mini-skirts. I was thinking their G-strings were pretty far up their buns by the way they faked their smiles and looked astonished when I arrived. I was thinking they knew what was up and were hoping for an OK Corral kind of fight. But I wasn’t about to show my guns. I’d rather the yodeler smoke in his britches. “Anyone up here own a white Range Rover? I think I pissed whoever it is off by parking in his spot.”

One young girl appeared a little timid. “I’ll tell him,” she said.

Pretty soon she came back out with her lipstick all smeared and said, “He’ll be right down.”

And so I took the elevator back down, got in the car and waited. I started giggling when the yodeler came out and checked the passenger side to see if I had keyed his beloved Range Rover. Good thing I only just thought about it. And good thing I wasn’t in a hurry.

I rolled down the window. Just to piss him off I said, “Sorry sir. It won’t happen again. I didn’t know. My apologies.”

He looked pretty rattled, like a tumbleweed had just got stuck in his patch of daisies.

Matildakay and I started laughing pretty hard, but only after he got his Range Rover the hell out of our darned tootin’ way. Talk about parking lot road rage...

OK, you were just entertained. Now go support! Please with sugar on top.

Sioux City Sarsaparilla loses bubbly fizz at Vinny's Bar - By N.L. Belardes

Did Sioux City Sarsaparilla flop at Vinny's Bar recently?

A secret informant just sent me to the Vinny's Bar myspace.com page where I read:

DO NOT BOOK THIS BAND!
SIOUX CITY SARSAPARILLA

THEY ARE DISRESPECTFUL, RUDE AND DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO BACK UP THE BAD ATTITUDES. THEY DO NOT HAVE A FOLLOWING. THEY CANNOT FOLLOW SIMPLE RULES OF TIMES AND WHEN TO GET OFF STAGE AND THEY CALL VENUE OWNERS FOWL NAMES LIKE A CHILDREN! EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
DON'T BOOK THEM.

Now why is the king of fakin' bacon, Jimmy Holliday calling people "Children" ?

A light-hearted monkey moment - By N.L. Belardes

My island friend sent this image to me of a recent dramatic occurence involving a monkey that peed on her, threw poop, and as she says, "Stole pens, shiny things, food, and other small stuff."

She said the monkey got nicknamed PIA. I'm thinking that was for all the whizzing it was doing. I hope it was good for her hair.

Funny how it looks a lot like Celine Dion.

Photo Essay: The heart of Oildale - By N.L. Belardes

Photo Essay: The Heart of Oildale
by N.L. Belardes


Day 3: Buck Owens memorial outside of the Crystal Palace.


The media gathers for an interview.


News crews position themselves for media coverage.


Gloomy days continue outside on Buck Owens Boulevard.




I can say that I actually once lived in Oildale for a few months on McCray Street. It was a little house where a dancer lived. Ahh Venice... but that was years ago. It's rare I travel through Buck Owens' old stomping grounds where he was once a young punk of a kid in the heart of Oildale. Unfortunately I never did any writing there, though I used to play hockey in an Oildale league for a couple of years before vandals ruined the rink and the league owner skipped town with everyone's fees.


Crossroads in the heart of Oildale...




The old Buck Owens recording studio remembers Buck. The engineer inside once produced a Devo song...


Where does the door to the old studio lead now?


On North Chester Avenue on a main artery that eventually heads out of Oildale.


I hear there's country music at the Kern River Belle.


I'm sure Buck Owens stepped inside of Trouts Bar a time or two. I saw Red Simpson perform there on a potluck night... According to reports, the day this photo was taken led to an exciting night of music that celebrated Buck, saw lots of dancing, and also honored Red Simpson who normally played on such Honky Tonk nights.


The famous Honky Tonk, the Blackboard, was in this area.


Is this where the Blackboard stood? It was torn down and never replaced.


The Oildale Express is coming for you...

Two local bands pay tribute to Buck Owens’ Streets of Bakersfield - By N.L. Belardes

Gus from the Filthies already mentioned in a Buck City Podcast tribute moment that rural rock punksters The Filthies were going to throw together a hard rocking rendition of “The Streets of Bakersfield”.

Not only has the punk scene just declared Buck Owens’ music should be covered, there’s already been a tribute from the Bakersfield underground. At Riley’s Tavern Sunday night, members from the band Norfolk teamed up with a local singer to create The Indians, a band that normally plays fun renditions of classic rock tunes. Although they played their regular hard-rocking music, they also paused to perform, “The Streets of Bakersfield”. “I never saw Buck Owens perform,” said lead singer Rafael, “But that’s not stopping me from doing this tribute to the passing of a legend.”





On a night of great music that included a new three-piece rendition of Norfolk that dropped its alt country sound, members James Ratliff and Michael Llewellen stepped in to The Indians to perform Buck Owens’ and Dwight Yoakam’s 1986 hit.

That just may have been Bakersfield’s first in what is sure to be a long series of tributes to the legend of Bakersfield that recently died. The Indians took to the wooden floors of Riley’s Tavern to catch the crowd in a moment of reflection and celebration for the great sounds that spawned from Bakersfield of yesteryear.

A once striking alt country sound may have been lost in the latest pop-friendly rendition of Norfolk (I showed up late and didn't catch all the songs). It’s a spin off the old Marcco band that James Ratliff created several years ago. Although lacking a lead guitar, I found the new Norfolk to have a captivating sound, that although no longer ambient in country riffs, was certainly as moving as any Norfolk tunes I had ever heard.









I noticed photographer Mike Herrera was in the house to snap photos of the band possibly to help in the resurgence of Norfolk as James Ratliff moves the band into a position to perform more shows and gain a new following (don't forget to check out mikiephoto.com)





One of the loudest rock bands in town is Pangolese, a Bakersfield alternative band in the vain of the Pixies/Frank Black that I am just mesmerized over each time I see them. Vocalist Dave was looking more Metro than I ever do in his funky frontman attire that included a rainbow belt buckle, long-sleeved striped shirt and funk black glasses. His vocals screamed while Daniel and Johnny tore into the bass and drums… I hung out and snapped photos. Daniel was wild as always. I have no idea how he can rock out and play the bass the way he does. My favorite Pangolese moment? Dave’s guitar strap snapped off during a solo. He didn’t miss a lick as he carried his guitar to an amp, rested it on the side and tore into his solo…









After the show I walked outside and snapped some photos of Pangolese over by the Alley Dog. I was kind of hungry but the window wasn’t open… So I just took pics as they all struck a few poses. Afterward I asked about their demo. Dave mentioned their entire recording session at Rubber Tree Studio may have been lost due to a crashed computer. Now that’s a setback.









After Pangolese was the Indians. I lingered far past their Buck Owens tribute and even caught James hilarious Led Zepellin Moby Dick drum solo in a moment that saw other band members wander off to the restroom while he pounded away as only a furious rocker in a classic rock band could.

At Buck's Crystal Palace - By N.L. Belardes

Bakersfield pop culture infected nlbelardes.com. Dirty Spanglish and I went out and paid our respects for not just us, but for those in the arts, and in the Bakersfield music scene who Paperback Writer and the Buck City Podcast represents. Thanks for the inspiration, Buck! Rest in peace...






Someone left a cool guitar...


Dirty Spanglish left their coveted pick from playing the Rabobank. I fittingly left a Buck City Podcast T-shirt...

The day Buck Owens died - By N.L. Belardes

A few years ago as part of a celebration for a friend completing a manuscript we all went to the Crystal Palace to watch Buck Owens perform. (My friend is now 92 years young). After all, she had just interviewed Buck about his crazy life of traveling to California and after some tough years of hard work, launching into a career of music and business. Of course we all know the history of Nashville West and the Bakersfield Sound. No need to dig into such rich history. I think here it’s better to know we all have Buck Owens moments to share. This friend of mine, a young girl from the days of speakeasies hidden in a little old body, made great coffee and always offered cookies when I stopped by to talk history and books. She was one of the greatest conversationalists I have ever known (And the fact she always offered cookies was great hospitality. Who else does that anymore?)

Her name is Kathryn Burke. She’s an Oildale native who lived just one street over from Oildale writer, Gerald Haslam. She has an MA in history and was extremely qualified to write such a piece. She even told me a few stories about Haslam growing up in the neighborhood she recently moved from, as well as about country musicians she had met over the years, including Buck Owens. I asked her extensively about her interviews with him and she politely informed me that they were formal and to-the-point interviews at his offices. She tape recorded them and transcribed the hours of interviews before writing her book.

Later I went to Trouts with Kathryn to watch Red Simpson sing his “Bin Laden” song. We ate some good potluck and watched the old timers dance. I was the youngest in attendance. I was grateful to have such a true Bakersfield experience of country music, although I love the old stories of the Blackboard. Now there’s a venue that should still be standing.

That day at the Crystal Palace included my favorite Buck Owens moments. Not the parades, not the big statue unveiling or songs with Dwight Yoakam. Not the big birthday bashes and Cake concert duets I never attended. No, just a simple evening of celebration with friends in the living museum of Nashville West called the Crystal Palace.

March 25, 2006 was a Bakersfield morning of drizzle and humid grey skies. I didn’t go out at first but stayed indoors and read Internet news. Sometimes I glance at the local news, but mostly I peek at national headlines. I’d been up for a while and already surfed the news before going for my second go-around at about 9am.

Friday night I had been interviewed by Dorktown Radio for their episode 22 podcast. Only, show host Mikie had been drinking and accidentally hit the button to record over what had already been saved as a great interview. Bummer, there was a dramatic reading from Mikie and Bells of my novel, Lords: Part One that got lost. In the morning I read an email from Mikie:

I am sooo sorry. I am so f***** pissed that this happened. After your interview, I paused the show so we could get a little break and start the second half of the show. But, the problem is I have been drinking too much and when we restarted the show, it didn't restart. I just recorded nothing. After a few minutes, I finally realized we weren't recording. So I went to hit the button to start recording again, and when I did that, it erased the whole first part of the show. ALL OF THE STUFF WE DID GOT F******* ERASED. I am so pissed. That whole scene we read and the whole cool interview got erased. I forced you to stay around to call in and it got erased.
We'll make up for it, I promise. We'll just do a full interview and I'll just post that. some f*****' thing. I'm so sorry. F****!
-MIKE

(Tune in to hear Mike talk about the failed recording. It's hilarious. There is a lot of cursing for those not able to hear potty talk. The frustration and burps are endless).

I giggled after reading his email and clicked on Yahoo News. Like a lot of folks I was surprised when I saw that a co-host of the old “Hee Haw” had passed away. At first I didn’t think it was Buck Owens. I expected that old cat to live another 20 years. 76 still doesn’t seem very old. I looked at the local newspaper website. Nothing. Not even a breaking news headline. Right away I made the announcement on my website that Buck Owens had died. I linked straight to the yahoo.com story, and then on myspace.com. (It was 9:08am on myspace.com when I posted there).

I’m sure the local paper had known for some time about Buck Owens’ death. But for nlbelardes.com to beat the local news to a breaking news event is a story in itself. Bloggers are their own bosses. So, the underground always has the potential to shake its rattle first. I made a few phone calls. People were in disbelief and questioned my news source. Soon I found the news as ‘breaking news’ on CNN, and on MSN. The global Web of news had spun its web.

After that I spoke with Matt Munoz and we eventually planned to drive to the Crystal Palace on a pilgrimage to the Mecca of Buck Owens to see what was going on. It was a strange morning with a strange rainstorm that sometimes wasn’t cold at all—just dismal. We couldn’t decide whether to keep the windows rolled up or to let some rain in because of the humidity. At the Crystal Palace we discovered a small collection of flowers, a small red sign, and a sudden rainstorm that poured on us as we took a few photos. The photo I took of Matt and of the flowers were the most moving so I later put them online.





We decided to do an interview right there outside of the Crystal Palace. That was the first part of the Special Report on Buck City Episode 30. Our pilgrimage after that was to the cemetery. Matt said he knew where Buck’s mausoleum was, so we headed through the rain to wander across Greenlawn Cemetery to see Buck’s Place, a mausoleum standing as a legendary beacon from the Central Valley floor that I translated as saying that life, no matter how rich, always returns to the soil. We followed up on the podcast with a segment that made Matt Munoz a bit uneasy. We briefly talked about the mausoleum. It was a bit dark, but I’m glad we included it in the podcast. Too many people are afraid or uneasy about death and burial grounds.



Some somber moments followed with Matt, Matildakay and I eating lunch nearby at Molly J’s where we traded stories and eventually left and parked outside of Matt’s place and recorded the last bits of a podcast.

That night I drove past the Crystal Palace again. The palace itself wasn’t as bright and charming as it normally appeared. It seemed ominously empty. The big green glowing letters of Bakersfield arched above like a warning sign that the streets of Bakersfield be silent at least this night. Two news crew vans had parked near the corner.







It was a strange night to be heading out to Vinny’s bar to see what the rock scene would say about Buck Owen’s death. I knew Matt was headed to Fishlips where Monty Byrom was giving a performance. No need to cover that.

One of the great attributes of the local rural rock punk band, The Filthies is their appreciation and love for Bakersfield. Kenny Mount, like Buck Owens is a business owner. He owns part of Mission Family Mortuary and a casket store. Like Buck of yesteryear, Kenny is a rebellious young musician/entrepreneur looking to make a difference in the music world and in his hometown community. His black guitar reads "Bakersfield" in huge white stickers, and he has an energetic and often eccentric personality and sense of showmanship that defines him as a person not afraid to be what he believes in.




Kenny Mount of The Filthies...

As a band, the Filthies have really shown in the last few months an incredible sense of marketing acumen. They have a new site coming out, just released a video for the song, “Embalm You” (scroll down here for video), and are firm community supporters in business and in music ventures. There’s even a video in the works for a song they took very seriously titled “Condorstown”, a community project song that helps music, local hockey, and literature. I believe their prowess comes from a strong desire to be a part of a community, and in wanting to create a presence within the community as a band who cares to make a difference. Like Mento Buru, they aren’t afraid to reach out and market themselves beyond Bakersfield bars after dark. I’ve seen a lot of bands afraid to invest in opportunities to help uplift the community, themselves, and their goals. No marketing, no press kits, no community spirit, and just wanting what they can get for free, including playing for free in a town that should pay them in more than beer tickets. Bands like that are just bar bands who are part of a scene that will eventually gobble them up and replace them with new Bakersfield bar bands.

Buck Owens never lacked Bakersfield community spirit. He may not have gone out and helped every band in town, and he may have often been a shrewd businessman, but he never forgot his hometown and poured a lot of community money into it.



Vinny’s was more crowded than I expected. I got a hug from Vinny’s vixen, Jacque and watched Tehachapi band Empty Handed. The last I had seen those kids they had gotten themselves in some trouble at Kosmos with the police for drinking one too many brews. One of them had been slammed against a police vehicle. Interesting evening to say the least. They played a very short set while I interviewed Gus in a booth at the back of the bar (By the way, I wish Vinny’s at least cooked up some chicken. I was hungry!)








Gus getting ready to play his accordion



My interview with Gus in Buck City Episode 31 was revealing as he mentioned The Filthies had discussed covering a punk version of the "Streets of Bakersfield". What better punk band to do it?







The Filthies were dressed in ties and wore new attitudes... They have their press kits all geared up. They have their website about to launch, and a new CD, and a new video, and their sound was incredible… They played one new tune and a lot of favorites: "You Look Dead To Me", "Emblam You", "Condorstown", "On the Radio", and more…





The Bakersfield music spirit was in the house on a tragic evening. It wasn’t just about drinking and playing loud rock music. Hell, is that what country music is all about? No, believe it or not. The Filthies embrace rural rock punk just like Buck embraced the idea of the Bakersfield Sound. Sure, it’s punk rock with certain genre influences, but it’s also rural rock punk music out of Bakersfield, California, where within the spirit of the music and the people who play it you can see something beautiful, something entirely new that moves on its own, even on the day Buck Owen’s died.

Special Report: Buck City Podcast episode 31 on rural rock punk and Buck Owens - By N.L. Belardes

Get more of the Bakersfield story on the death of Buck Owens right here on nlbelardes.com (podcasts, blogs, and more):

You can subscribe to the Buck City Podcast. Go to iTUNES and check it out... or plug in the feed to a player.

Or you can just download the MP3 of episode #31: 'Special Report: rural rock punk and Buck Owens'


Episode 31:

Hear local Oildale 'potty talk' blogger Flower in the Dale chat about her memorable experience Friday night at the Crystal Palace just hours before Buck passed away

Listen in on Gus of the Filthies talk about the meaning of Buck Owens to the local Bakersfield music scene

Hear Gus discuss a new Filthies song and new video and whether there may ever be a punk version of the Streets of Bakersfield

Listen in to a fun interview with Kenny Mount who disagrees with Gus about music, songs, and more

Find out about the meaning of 'ribbed' to Kenny Mount's obscure rural rock punk mortician mind.

(Buck music from thehound.net)

Special Report: Buck City Podcast episode 30 on the death of Buck Owens - By N.L. Belardes

Get the whole Bakersfield story right here in nlbelardes.com:

You can subscribe to the Buck City Podcast. Go to iTUNES and check it out... or plug in the feed to a player.

Or you can just download the MP3 of episode #30: 'Special Report: the death of Buck Owens'


Episode 30:

On a gloomy day of drizzle and rain, N.L. Belardes and Matt Munoz (read Matt's reflections) reflect on the death of Buck Owens and make a pilgrimage to the Crystal Palace and Buck's soon-to-be resting place.

Matildakay was with us. Read what she had to say.

Robert Price of the Bakersfield Californian was interviewed by Jennifer Baldwin in a related podcast. (listen)

Here are images from today and one more from last year:


Matt Munoz during our pilgrimage to the Crystal Palace...


The memorial at the Crystal Palace...


A rainy day for a legend to die...






At the cemetary... soon to be Buck's final stop.




Buck Owens knew he would live on...

(Buck interviews and music from thehound.net)

Fatt Katt Expresses condolences at Buck Owens passing - By N.L. Belardes

Fatt Katt and the Vonzippers have played Buck Owens' Crystal Palace more than 50 times. I was there recently to see a fun night of music and to see Les Paw panic as his Bass went haywire for a few songs...

Fatt Katt just sent their condolences...

One last dance before Buck Owens untimely death - By N.L. Belardes

Fresh from the underground of the Bakersfield Sound there comes tragic news of a legend departing. What will Fatt Katt say? Whay will happen to the Crystal Palace? Country music singing legend Buck Owens died in his sleep earlier at his home today. Last night he sang "Together Again" while the good folks of Bakersfield and beyond danced their final jigs with him. I talked to one person who saw him last night for the first and last time. "He looked fine. He sang and I danced to "Together Again", she said.

Images from Buck Owens statue dedication last May in Bakersfield, California at Buck Owens Crystal Palace:


One last song...


What is uncovered on the other side...

Buck Owens dies?? Yes, Buck Owens is dead! - By N.L. Belardes

Buck Owens dies? A Bakersfield tragedy in country music is confirmed. Buck Owens died at his home today. Cause of death: unknown.



Yahoo
MSN
No report from the local papers...

No message on buckowens.com

These images are from last May when Buck dedicated statues to country music legends. I remember he paid special tribute to Johnny Cash... it was a Bakersfield music legend moment...


Goodbye Johnny Cash...


Last whispers to Buck...


Goodbye Buck Owens...

To dream of Peter Will - By N.L. Belardes

Every once in a while I get a message from someone who knew Peter Will. They're usually short messages, polite 'thank you's' for the Peter Will podcast I made last year (episode 11). Yesterday, Tyler Mitchell wrote a poignant piece reflecting on Peter Will, on some of Peter's journeys, and on a recent dream... read on, I learned a little more about Peter Will. I hope you do too.

I played with Pete in the third line up, right after he had Rich and Stitch on guitar and bass. This was in San Luis Obispo in the early to mid 90's-where the bar scene was filled with a great live music scene. They were nothing short of phemomenal, just one raging band. Rich and Stitch were a couple of transplants from Palos Verdes- and they wanted Pete to showcase their tunes equally-as they were all good song writers. Pete was tentative about this, and quite vocal. Things came to a head and Pete cut them loose, or they quit-(depending on who did the talking). This was in early 94. I had a San Luis based Cow Punk/Bar band called "Bingo Nite". We would open for Peter Will and vice versa- we were good friends then, and when Pete offered me and my guitar player a spot in Peter Will we took it hook line and sinker! We started playing without a hitch, some of the Rich and Stitch camp had dropped off, but it was irrellevant. We packed bars from slo to santa barbara for a good solid three years. In SLO town, we opened up for Social Distortion and Mother Hips and the Beat Farmers. On other nights, we did fine on our own. One highlight in general was a 5 day forray into San Felipe Mexico for a week of spring break. Imagine a ride on a version of the modern day Pirates of the Carribean, and you have it. :)

There were a few personell changes, we lost Dean Rossi on Drums to the call of the corporate world, and gained a very talented Matt Gittleson. We then lost Steve on guitar, and gained a very talented guitarist in Larry Hernandez- As time went by, Pete began spending more time in Bako than in San Luis-the lions share of gigs would fall in the valley. It was great at first-as we still had a great draw, but it would take its toll on me before too long.

I played several gigs with him at Rockin Rodeo, Suds and Jellies. At this time we could still pack any bar in Bakersfield- but anything back on the central coast was hard to live up to. I got to my four year mark-and realized that we could no longer practice and stay consistent. I bowed out over the phone, and Pete and i agreed to stay as close as brothers. Matt stayed on when i bowed out, and as time went by, his reports from Bakersfield ranged from positive to horrendous. Apparently, the last incarnation of the band, with Forrest and Doug on bass and guitar, and Matt on drums, put out FINALLY one of the BEST recordings I've ever heard from Pete-a testament that he was a viable and very gifted song writer- (something all of us who played with him knew all along) This present line up revived some really great live shows as well. I understand they were getting a good following in Ventura.

However, not long after, things took on a different tone. I only saw one gig up in Cayucos where Pete had clearly not looked, seemed, or sounded like what I remember. Despite being in the company of great players, there was something very different about Pete- to this day I can't put my finger on it- and it is no longer my story to tell...

The very recent months prior to Pete's passing were those of everyone hearing things about him, trying to locate him, locating him and being chased away, calling him to be hung up on. You name it. My last was a phone call from pete on my birthday telling me he was pissed i quit, but wanted to meet for a bender and a steak dinner at jockos when and if he'd come thru slo again- which I know he did, but never got a chance to hook up.

Then just months later he died.

A couple weeks ago I dreamt that I was in an upscale Condo complex and I ran into his ex girlfriend, Andrea, in the parking lot. I asked her what was up and she said she was heading up the walk to see Pete, I thought "great!". "It will be good to see Pete." So we walked up to one of the units, and there he was, playing guitar and jumping up to greet us- I quickly said, "Hey mutha fukka! This is a killer pad you got here... it's great to see you!"

He started talking with his hands as he always had, and said, "Yeah, but it's way too clean and not really my thing!"

I faded back into sleep after that.

Monty Byrom and N.L. the Metro hairdresser - By N.L. Belardes

I suppose I was guilty recently of looking like a Metrosexual. I mean, that’s the only way I can figure it. Even chingpea later said, “Yeah, you kinda look like a Metro today.”

I had been sitting with big brother Monty Byrom, downing a Starbucks coffee (that he paid for. No, he really did) and he was already talking to some of his fans: a couple of 40-something-year-old women, one of which grew up on the same street as he did back in his Bakersfield High Days. Oh that was long before he was on MTV, or rubbing noses with Eddie Money, or dating the girl from Bosom Buddies. I sat there wearing a dark pair of jeans, black Docs, and a black-ribbed T-shirt.

I sat and listened mostly. It’s what a novelist like me does. I listened to Monty’s smooth talk and these ladies dote over him, joking they could be his nanny. They were walking boob jobs that smoked. Boob job smoke stacks I guess you could say. Monty and I were out to have a marketing conversation. But I felt more like I had stepped into groupieville. And then one of them finally said, “Hey, what’s your story? Are you a musician or a hairdresser?” Now that was funny. Monty and I started laughing and he said, “This guy’s a celebrity.”

Yeah right, Monty.

I’m a controversial asshole writer. He’s the celebrity. But do I look like a hairdresser? “You look so trendy,” one of them said.

I’m so lazy and cheap about getting my hair cut that I literally snip it myself in front of a mirror. I have curly hair, and half the styles are uneven these days… The only advantage I ever see in going to a salon would be to have some luscious woman in a Swedish yodeling uniform rub my scalp. Otherwise, I’m just a disheveled writer who doesn’t want to listen to anyone’s stories while getting a trim that I can do myself.

I think I need to wear more punk shirts. Maybe that would do the trick.

But then I can’t always be as good-looking as that punk guy, Mike Generic.

Your Vows or Mine: Part Three in Episode 6 of The Puck Show - By N.L. Belardes

Once a 2-hour radio buffer from your crappy life at work to your crappy life at home, The Puck Show is now a "Puckcast" and still features Puck and his "super-producer" and co-host Preston Nash.



If you thought you heard potty talk before from Puck and Preston, you’re about to hear uncensored fun from two of the funnest DJs around. Recently, The Puck Show was the #1 A.M. afternoon radio drive-time show in Bakersfield, California. Instead of sitting around on their asses worrying about their next radio gig, Puck and Preston have teamed up with N.L. Belardes to enter the cyber realm with a podcast that’s sure to grab fans and taunt the radio world that these guys just won’t be stopped. (Listen to the show and you can