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The Bakersfield Sound

The Bakersfield Sound

"The Bakersfield Sound," Robert E. Price's authoritative history of the hard-edged style that transformed country music, is now on sale for $21.95.

"The Bakersfield Sound: How A Generation of Displaced Okies Revolutionized American Music" is more than 275 pages and features 50 photos, many never before published. Anyone with an interest in Bakersfield, music or great stories will love this fast-paced history of the movement that turned laborers like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard into household names, and its lasting and widely felt influence on style, instrumentation and attitude in American music.

Price is the award-winning editor of The Bakersfield Californian and has written and spoken extensively about the Bakersfield Sound since 1997. His writing includes liner notes for a Merle Haggard box set and a chapter for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s official “Bakersfield Sound” exhibit guide.

The Bakersfield Sound: How a Generation of Displaced Okies Revolutionized American Music" by Robert E Price

  • Available Now!
  • Softcover, 292 pages, 50 photos
  • Retail softcover price is $21.95, plus tax

That Was Easy

That Was Easy: 15 Years of Collected Columns

Longtime Bakersfield Californian columnist Herb Benham has just finished his third book, "That Was Easy: 15 Years of Collected Columns."

Great Quakes

The Great Quakes of 1952

This is the story of the huge earthquakes that hit Tehachapi and Bakersfield, told by the people who lived through them and by the newspaper that was in the middle of it all.

Obama's Tribute

Obama's Tribute: The President visits Keene to dedicate monument to UFW's Cesar Chavez

The Bakersfield Californian's team of reporters, photographers and videographers fanned out across Kern County to cover the historic visit and the dedication.

Being Basque

Being Basque in Bakersfield

A new interactive e-book by Louis Amestoy that shares a newcomer's observations about connecting with our large and vibrant Basque community.

March Meet

Bakersfield's Love Affair with Speed, Nitro & Good Times

This special e-book documents one of Bakersfield's biggest events: the world-famous March Meet at Auto Club Famosa Raceway.

Unbeaten

Bakersfield High School's 13-0 Season of 2011

This is a week-by-week story of Bakersfield High School's undefeated 2011 football season, featuring 132 photos, 41 videos, detailed game stories and stats, feature stories and more.