BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — "To a lot of people, especially in texas and overseas, this is the Mecca for country music," said Monty Byrom.
In a release from managers of the Crystal Palace, they cited "a challenging business climate plus the wishes of the Owens family members to step back from the responsibilities of management," as the reasons for the closure.
For Jim Shaw, who spent 55 years with the Owens family, first as a Buckaroo playing with Owens, then wearing many hats across the decades for the Crystal Palace, said sending out the news of the closure hurts, but he'll look back on the life that he spent and the memories associated with broadcasting the bakersfield sound, then and now, fondly.
"This starts off very depressing for us very bittersweet, and what I've learned in thinking about it – the same came up when we listed it for sale – just to be so proud of 28+ years, that's a big deal. This place, almost three decades of probably one of the more famous venues in the world for country music"
For many who took the stage, the news is heartbreaking. Doyle Curtsinger and Kim McAbee-carter sat down with us on Monday afternoon to recount some of the memories
"We got up there and I stood there and I looked out across the room and though this is the most gorgeous, pleasing looking place I've ever seen and I've played in a lot of concert halls with Buck, but nothing ever matched up to the crystal palace," said Kurtsinger.
"I agree and his name is on the back wall, up on the second story, and other than when the lights went out, that's what you see when you're standing on the stage and it's pretty amazing to look out at the audience and see that," said McAbee
The dinner theatre that holds about 600 and played host to countless country icons is held in high regard across the world, Jennifer Keel and Monty Byrom, both spent plenty of time on the stage at the palace. For Keel, with the news of the venue's closure, it would seem only fitting to see the palace honored as a landmark.
"Very few cities have this type of facility, the Bakersfield sign, everything going for it. I would just like to see the City of Bakersfield cherish this facility in someway," said Keel.
"Stan Ellis, buy the palace," said Byrom with a laugh. "Somebody out there buy the Palace!"
(Original article posted by 23ABC News Staff, Aug. 11, 10:48 a.m.)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield is closing its doors after 28 years of business, according to an official announcement from the Owens family.
"For over 28 years, we brought the best of local and national entertainment to Bakersfield, served great food, and hosted thousands of special occasions for thousands of special people and families," the Buck Owens family said.
The family cited a challenging business climate and the wishes of Owens' family members as reasons for the closure.
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