BUCK OWENS TURNS 70 TODAY (AUG. 12)

BUCK OWENS TURNS 70 TODAY (AUG. 12)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Country music legend Buck Owens turns 70 today and he's celebrating the best way he knows how -- by writing songs and performing music. Although Buck claims that until recently, he hadn't written a song in 20 years, the former "Hee-Haw" host is now on a roll and has been cranking out as many as four tunes a week. However, he admits writing songs gets harder as you get older because you're more aware of the phrases that have already been used in other songs. Buck also spends a lot of his time at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace, a dance hall-museum in Bakersfield, California, where he still performs two shows every Friday and Saturday night. Although he usually performs his well-known hits like "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail" and "Act Naturally," Buck says he's happy to play any request -- even "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)" or "Oh My Darling, Clementine." Buck plans on celebrating his 70th birthday this Sunday with a special concert featuring some surprise guests.