2001 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee: Gary Buck

Born in 1940 in Thessalon, Ontario, Gary Buck began his career as a singer and country music performer. By the early 1960’s Buck had recorded Bobby Bare’s "Happy To Be Unhappy" with the help of a Nashville DJ, and watched it climb to a #1 hit. He was the first Canadian to record a #1 in the U.S., while living and working in Canada.  Buck was first signed to "Petal Records", and moved on to Capitol where he released multiple albums and top ten chart singles. While next with RCA, Buck established "Beechwood Music of Canada" for Capitol, and signed many major hit songs, such as "Snowbird", "Put Your Hand In The Man", and "Countryfied".  Gary Buck was named top male country singer 5 times in Canada, and won numerous awards for producer of the year for work with artists such as "The Family Brown" and "Dick Damron". Buck spent several years as Director of the CMA in Nashville, and was one of the founding directors of the Canadian Country Music Association.  In 1979 Buck began the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1999 he joined forces with the CCMA and its "Hall of Honour", for the creation of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. This year he will be recognized  with his own place, in a Hall of Fame he helped to build. Gary Buck continues to write, record, publish and produce internationally – splitting his time between his home in Canada, and Nashville.  Gary Buck and Gordon Lightfoot will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame during the 2001 Canadian Country Music Week celebrations in Calgary, September 7th to 10th. The Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame is located on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede, its permanent home.