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For the first time in history,
the three Buck Owens touring and recording steel players
spanning a time period of 30 years, were together in one location.
Taken at the I.S.G.C. St. Louis 2003 by Jim Nelligan

Note: The information below was documented after conversations throughout the years with Buck, Tom, JayDee, Ralph, and other Buckaroo's to insure it's accuracy. During the beginning years for Buck, when it was just Buck and Don, and Buck began having hit records, they would use "house players" at each venue to to play with them, which included steel players. This was from 1959-1963. However, this is mostly about the players who were official members of the Buckaroo's and who recorded and toured during Buck's career.

Tom Brumley played with Buck from 1963-1969. Prior to that, Ralph Mooney was recording on Buck's albums. Jay McDonald was also present during Ralph's contributions to recordings, and Jay did two albums according to Buck, but never toured with him on a national scale. Tom set the stage with a string of hits including "Together Again."

JayDee Maness joined the band in early 1969, and was with the band for 9 months. JayDee recorded a live album in Las Vegas, titled, "Big In Vegas, and also "Live at the Palladium", but never got to record anything with Buck in the studio according to JayDee. I would like to add here, that JayDee and I are great friends, and his continuance in music after leaving Buck is legendary.

Buck went 2 years from 1970-1972 before he once again added a full time steel player to the band. Buddy Emmons, while living in LA recorded on a few of Buck and Susan's release's and Buck's single release of, "I'll Still Be Waiting For You" as well as Ralph Mooney on "Ain't It Amazing Gracie" and "Arms Full of Empty" during this time period.

In 1971, Jay Dee played in the studio in Bakersfield with Tony Booth's hit singles "Key's in the Mailbox", and "Lonesome 77203" and continued recording with Tony until Jerry joined the band in 1972. After the "Ruby" single release and follow up album, which was Buck's version of bluegrass, it was then that he decided he was ready to start cutting records based on his earlier Bakersfield style of driving electric guitars, fiddle, and steel, and thus added Jerry. Made In Japan had just been released.

April of 1972 is when Jerry joined the band and replaced Ronnie Jackson (banjo), and continued playing though 1975. During this time, The Buckaroo's were: Jerry, Don Rich, Jim Shaw, Jerry Wiggins, and Doyle Singer until Don's death in 1974, when Ronnie Jackson was again added. Don Lee, from Fresno, CA, was added on electric guitar. After Don's death, Jerry began playing electric guitar for most of the studio lead parts and tours until he left in 1975.

Terry Christoffersen replaced Jerry in 1975, and continued to play with Buck until Buck's passing.
He is currently the General Manager of The Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA.