BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Though some country music fans may wonder if the Bakersfield Sound is just going to fade into oblivion, that notion is soon about to be laid to rest.

There’s plenty of evidence that Buck Owens' music is not only alive, but transforming, as Dwight Yoakam talked Tuesday night at Buck Owens Birthday Bash about his forthcoming album, “Dwight Sings Buck," set for an Oct. 25 release.

Dwight Yoakam was in town to perform at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace along with a medley of other country music artists to tribute Owens' music career and 78th birthday.

Saddened by thoughts of Owens not being alive to celebrate, Yoakam, a longtime friend of Owens, said, “It’s always a little melancholy now. It was New Year’s Eve the first time I was here since he passed, to do this without him being in the building. Sometimes when he didn’t feel well he’d go home early. It was never with him not coming back.”

The historic dinner theater is where the Bakersfield Sound thrives. Its vibrant country music history, rooted in Dust Bowl days, decorates the walls.

On selected nights, the Buckaroos perform old hits at the dinner theater. Three of their members served Owens for over 30 years. On special nights, Owens’ son Buddy Alan Owens performs with the Buckaroos.

Dwight Yoakam said Tuesday of Buddy Alan, “It’s kind of eerie when he walks out and does his part of Buck’s songs.”

You can’t miss the eeriness. Buddy Alan Owens looks a lot like his father. Wearing a colorful Rhinestone-covered jacket Tuesday night, when he stepped on stage, he brought strong memories of Owens tearing into his trademark Telecaster.

Buckeroos drummer Dave Wulfekuehler said, “I always trip out about Buddy Alan. His father was Buck Owens. His mother was a legend too in Bonnie Owens. Yet his step dad was Merle Haggard. He might have even learned how to fish from Merle. That’s unique to be raised by such legends.”

“After Buck passed we began playing four of his songs every night. We ended up doing five by the time we finished the (recent) tour,” Yoakam said.

New West Records was talking with the Owens family about doing a live tribute concert.

According to Yoakam, New West Records decided against the live album, though they did approach Yoakam to expand his on-stage tribute sessions into a complete album.

Though Yoakam never thought about recording any of Owens' material prior to his death, he hopes the fans of Owens' music will like the new album. “We didn’t do anything too absurd to his songs,” he said.

Yet, Yoakam thinks his forthcoming “Dwight Sings Buck” has its own fingerprint now. “It feels like it’s our album. Not my album, but Buck’s album with me.”

That’s a bit of a new sound, or at the very least, a continuation in the old Bakersfield Sound with one of the biggest artists in country music.

The birthday bash itself was a legendary Dwight Yoakam performance to a packed house. Yoakam and his band, which includes Mitch Marine who also drums for Smashmouth, ripped into song after song and performed past 11 p.m.

Buck Owens would have been 78 years old Tuesday night.

"Dwight Sings Buck" track list:

1. My Heart Skips A Beat

2. Foolin’ Around

3. I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)

4. Only You

5. Act Naturally

6. Down On The Corner Of Love

7. Cryin’ Time

8. Above And Beyond

9. Love’s Gonna Live Here

10. Close Up The Honky Tonks

11. Under Your Spell Again

12. Your Tender Loving Care

13. Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got A Heartache)

14. Think Of Me

15. Together Again