BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — It’s been just over a month since the sale of the historic Crystal Palace was announced. Now, on what would have been Buck’s 95th birthday, Buck Owens’ son Johnny is sharing for the first time his hopes for his father’s beloved building.

• On July 3, the Buck Owens Private Foundation announced the planned sale of the Crystal Palace. The landmark’s asking price is now $7.4 million, the same amount it was originally built for.
• Owens said the decision to sell the palace was a difficult one for the family and the board of the foundation that manages it. He said even before COVID shut them down for two years, it was a difficult financial undertaking.

It’s been just over a month since the sale of the historic Crystal Palace was announced. Now, on what would have been Buck’s 95th birthday, Buck Owens’ son Johnny shares for the first time his hopes for his father’s beloved building.

“People feel like they did when my dad came on stage and they felt like they belonged,” Johnny told us.

The Owens name has been shining on the stage since Buck himself opened the Crystal Palace in 1996. The country music legend played there until his death in 2006, after which his son Johnny took over the family business.

“Most people who know me know that I never sang in front of my father,” he said.

While he hasn’t sung for Buck, Johnny has performed with big names like Dwight Yokum and the Bakersfield Sound for nearly 20 years. He continues to perform and hopes that with the sale of the venue, his father’s legacy will also be brought to the public.

“I want it to go to someone who loves country music, who will keep it open and keep new artists coming in.”

On July 3, the Buck Owens Private Foundation announced the planned sale of the Crystal Palace. The landmark’s asking price is now $7.4 million, the same amount it was originally built for.

“We’re sadder than a lot of people think, but we realize that we either do this or the building just stays here,” Owens said.

Owens said the decision to sell the palace was a difficult one for the family and the board of the foundation that manages it. He said even before COVID shut them down for two years, it was a difficult financial undertaking.

“If the house is always full, the doors will stay open. We were open Tuesday through Saturday and then we had Sunday brunch. Then Tuesday was canceled, then Wednesday. What are you going to do?” he asked.

When the restaurant reopened after COVID, difficult times required further changes, including the elimination of Sunday brunch in 2023.

“When people stop coming, you lose staff and then you have to keep training and things like that as it gets slower,” he said. “Fridays and Saturdays take care of themselves.”

Although the Crystal Palace remains open and continues to host concerts, Owen said there was some interest but stopped short of giving details.

“If I bring real names and stuff,” he said, giggling, “I’ll probably get shot before I get down these stairs.”

He said the foundation’s board of directors – which includes two members of the Owens family – would like to see the palace taken over by someone willing to carry on the traditions of Buck and Bakersfield Sound.

Johnny Owens and the Bakersfield Sound return to Crystal Palace for a performance on September 20th.

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