More than half a century after Buck Owens and the Buckaroos took the stage at Las Vegas’ Mint Hotel and Casino, a remarkable document of the band at the height of its powers is finally seeing the light of day. At The Mint, Las Vegas, 1968, a previously unreleased, professionally recorded live album sourced from the long-lost original Capitol Records reels will be released on 23rd October 2026 via Sundazed Music.
Despite Owens being a man who rarely left worthwhile recordings sitting in a vault, somehow, an entire professionally recorded performance by Owens and the Buckaroos remained unreleased and largely unknown for nearly six decades. The set finds Owens joined by Don Rich, Doyle Holly, Tom Brumley and Jerry Wiggins, tearing through hits and deeper cuts with the unmistakable Bakersfield sound that made the Buckaroos one of the most formidable country bands of their generation.
At The Mint is more than a newly discovered Buck Owens concert. The tapes preserve the evening virtually as it happened, offering a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of a live album in 1968. Beginning with legendary country broadcaster Ralph Emery warming up the audience and continuing through his closing thanks, the recording captures stage banter, between-song exchanges, and candid moments that almost certainly would have disappeared had Capitol prepared the tapes for release at the time.
The album is now available for pre-order via this link, and you can find the full track list below. For a taster, listen to Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line at the foot of this piece.
“At The Mint, Las Vegas, 1968” Tracklist:
Side One:
1. Ralph Emery Introduction and Overview
2. Buckaroo
3. How Long Will My Baby Be Gone
4. X-Lax & LSD (comedy)
5. Cryin’ Time
6. Your Tender Loving Care
7. Act Naturally
8. Love’s Gonna Live Here
9. Together Again
10. Sam’s Place
11. Everybody Needs Somebody
12. People from NY (comedy)
13. Under Your Spell Again
14. Above and Beyond (The Call Of Love)
15. Excuse Me, I Think I Have A Heartache
16. Fool Around With Me
17. Hello Trouble
18. Truck Drivin’ Man
19. Outro
Side Two:
1. Intro
2. Happy Times Are Here Again
3. I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail
4. Open Up Your Heart (and Let My Love Come In)
5. Don Rich Introduction
6. Orange Blossom Special (ft. Don Rich)
7. Tom Brumley Introduction
8. Steel Guitar Polka (ft. Tom Brumley)
9. Second Fiddle
10. Sweet Rosie Jones
11. People Like You Introduction
12. It Takes People Like You To Make People Like Me
13. Welfare Line Introduction
14. Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line
15. Ralph Emery Closer
16. Buck’s Polka Introduction*
17. Buck’s Polka*
18. Sally Was a Good Old Girl*
19. Ralph Emery Outro*
*CD only
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