During your visit to this Bakersfield, California attraction, stroll through the Country Western Museum and see treasures that span the history of country western music, from a Hee Haw lunch box to costumes worn my your favorite stars. See the theater where some of country’s most popular stars have performed. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace also houses a restaurant and the Crystal Palace Country Store.
Country Western Museum
Guitars
Highlighted within the collection are guitars that once belonged to Owens including: a pink paisley Fender Telecaster gifted to Owens by his friend Mary Stuart; a limited edition Buck Owens Signature Telecaster designed between 1997 and 1998; one of the red, white and blue guitars created by Owen in the late 60s; Buck’s first Telecaster which he bought in 1951 from a man named Hank for $30.00 who had acquired it the week before from Lewis Talley; a guitar presented to Buck by Ray Bensen, leader of “ Asleep at the Wheel” during one of his visits to the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield; and a gold metalflake Fender Telecaster, an iconic early Buck Owens guitar which Buck had custom made in 1964.
Suits
Suits worn by Buck throughout his career are also showcased in the Country Western Museum. See a suit made of solid sequence. While Buck came up with the solid sequence design, he only wore the suit once before he realized it was too hot and heavy to wear on stage. The yellow suit on display was made by famous tailor “Turk” and the Suit Owens’ wore during his legendary March 25, 1966 Carnegie Hall performance.
Memorabilia
Additional items displayed in the Country Western Museum include a PEP Records 45 of “Hot Dog” by Owens, a 1970 TV Guide featuring the Hee Haw show as the cover story, a Hee Haw lunch box, a vintage RCA microphone and an accordion played by Flaco Jimenez on “Streets of Bakersfield.” A number of Buck Owens’ awards are also exhibited including his Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Award, WRVA “Jamboree” Award, Record World Award, 1964 Billboard Award, CMA Award and Academy of Country Music Award.
Theatre
See the theatre where country’s most popular stars perform. Within the theatre, state-of-the-art lighting and giant video screens enhance live performances as well as exclusive video presentations of Buck Owens, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam and many others.
Dining at Buck Owens Crystal Palace
Stop by Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace restaurant. On the menu you will find all your favorites, from soups and salads to burgers and sandwiches, pizzas and hot entrees such as kabobs, baby back ribs and pork chops. Delectable desserts include seasonal fruit crisp, Buck’s favorite mud pie, and fudge brownies.
Shopping in the Crystal Palace Country Store
Be sure to stop by the Crystal Palace Country Store. Music, gifts, clothing and souvenirs are available to purchase.
- Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is ADA compliant.
- Do not forget your camera. There will be exciting photo opportunities during your visit to Crystal Palace.