Tom Brumley played pedal-steel guitar in the Buckaroos during Buck’s salad days. Tom’s father, Albert, had written the gospel classics, “I’ll Fly Away,†“Turn Your Radio On,†and “Jesus, Hold My Hand.†“My brother was recording with Capitol Records in 1961,†recalls Brumley on his entry into the California country music scene. “I came out to California and Buck Owens and Don Rich were there at the session both days. I worked clubs in L.A. for a while (like the Palomino) but I was in Texas, building houses, when Buck called me two years later. ’Act Naturally’ was just out at that time, and my first session for Buck was ‘Together Again.’ Everything I did with Buck was a hit. It was quite a trip.â€
Brumley recalls the genesis of Buck’s sound. “What I liked about Buck’s music was that it was fun. It wasn’t supposed to be perfect. We played the way we wanted to play. We didn’t use a lot of bottom end, all top end, lots of electric guitars, a real bright sound. We did as many as six masters in a three-hour session, and didn’t even know the songs.†For Brumley, the Bakersfield sound had a rawness that attracted him. “Nashville put so many restrictions on the music. They’ve got writers writing songs, and cookie-cutter sessions, all to a formula. It’s got to be natural, let musicians play from the heart.
"That’s what country rock was. The sense of adventure was coming from outside Nashville. Guys like Chris Hillman were originals. Buck contributed so much to country, and to rock too. I remember when we started having hippies coming to our shows. I couldn’t believe it. I would read write-ups about those guys liking our music, even the Beatles. We did the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1967, and that was an experience. There wasn’t a chair or a seat in the building. Everybody was on the floor smoking pot having a good time. We filled that place two nights in a row, and they loved it. It was absolutely amazing.â€
