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Don's story.

Donald Eugene Ulrich was born on August 15, 1941 in Olympia, Washington. At an early age, his adoptive parents got him involved in music. He played the fiddle and the guitar.

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By the time Don was 16, he had landed a spot playing in the house band of a local restaurant. That’s where he met his musical soulmate, Buck Owens. Buck Owens would say that he and Don had “musical telepathy.” From the first time they sang harmony together, it was as if Don could read Buck’s mind. Their voices, musicianship, and personalities worked together perfectly from day one. Don dropped out of college and moved to Bakersfield to join Buck’s band in 1960. Buck gave him the stage name Don Rich, and the rest is history. Shortly after joining the band, Don went back to Washington and brought his girlfriend, Marlane, to Nevada, where they were married. She played a huge role in keeping Buck and Don on the road.

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During the early 1960s, Don played fiddle on Buck’s songs, including “Above and Beyond”, but it wasn’t until 1963 that Buck had his first number one country song - “Act Naturally”. Buck had taught Don his guitar playing style during their time together, and “Act Naturally” featured Don on lead guitar.

By 1964, the classic Buckaroos band lineup was in place, and they churned out hit after hit. Buck, Don, Doyle Holly, Tom Brumley, and Willie Cantu ruled the world of country music.

At the beginning of 1965, Buck and The Buckaroos released their iconic hit, “Tiger By The Tail”. Musical instrument manufacturers such as Fender noticed the Buckaroos’ popularity and gifted Buck, Don, and Doyle with instruments including Don’s iconic Champagne sparkle Telecaster. Buck and Don’s Telecaster playing became a staple of the Buck Owens sound.

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Between studio time and TV filming, Buck, Don, and The Buckaroos toured the world singing and playing. Several of their concerts were recorded and released on albums, including concerts in Japan, Scandinavia, and London, as well as the iconic concert at Carnegie Hall.

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Not only was Don Rich an excellent musician, he was also a talented singer and songwriter. He helped write Buck Owens hits such as “Before You Go” and “Waitin’ in Your Welfare Line”. By 1968, Buck and Don were experimenting with other musical styles, including the fuzztone guitar solo on “Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass?” In 1969, under the direction of Don, the Buckaroos became the house band for a new country music/comedy show called “Hee Haw”. Hee Haw provided Buck and The Buckaroos with widespread national exposure on TV.

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Buck and Don had their final number one hit together in 1972 with “Made in Japan”. They had begun to turn back to their iconic sound after experimenting in other areas.

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Buck and Don truly had a special friendship. Buck considered Don to be a brother to him, but also in some ways, a son. Buck insisted that Don was as much a part of the Buck Owens sound, as Buck himself.

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Of course, we don’t live in a fairytale world, so this story doesn’t have the happiest ending. Buck pleaded with Don to give up his hobby of motorcycle riding, but Don didn’t budge. He didn’t want Buck to worry about him, but continued to ride anyway. On July 17, 1974, on the way to meet his family for a vacation, Don Rich was killed in a motorcycle accident in San Luis Obispo, California, at Highway 1 and Yerba Buena Road.

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Since his untimely death, Don has been recognized as being inspirational to many musicians in the country music industry and beyond. In 2021, he was inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. In 1974, he was posthumously awarded the CMA Award for Musician of the Year. No doubt, what Don gave to music has been industry changing.

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Buck Owens never forgot Don Rich, and neither did anyone else who knew him. Don is remembered for his bright smile, positive attitude, and amiable personality. May we all be a little bit more like Don!