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Buck Shot History -2

Donna and I married in 1989 in Mount Lofty, South Australia.

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"Who Loves Ya Baby?" written for Donna

I currently own 12 guitars. 

Donna has gifted me with most of my guitars and has been my biggest fan since 1989. 

Gifts from Donna include:

   DeArmond X-155                      Buck Owens                   Savage Dread Naught                            Ibanez

         Sun Burst                  Special Edition Telecaster             (Custom-Made)                         Acoustic Electric

I gifted a Memphis Fender knock off to my nephew and my old Franciscan 12 string was converted to a six string and sits in my friend Harry Reiners’ garage.  I gifted his son Brandon “Bubba” Reiners another guitar; however, I don’t remember doing it but I’m glad he has it.

The two guitars gifted to me by my good friend and fellow guitar player Glenn Webb:

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Left - Circa 1993 American Fender Stratocaster

Right - Electric Martin Backpacker converted to a lap slide guitar

Not pictured is a Fullerton (Chinese made) guitar which is a Dread Naught and is the loudest acoustic guitar I have ever played.

        

Unfortunately, Glenn passed away in 2023. 

     

His  wife Lyn is now the guardian of his guitars.      

 

The late Gary "Gig" Cowles, was also a guitar player and singer that we played a lot of music with as well as Glenn's son David, who still occasionally picks a tune.

Buck & Glenn Webb

Glenn & Lyn

David Webb

Gary "Gig" Cowles

and Glenn Webb

I wish I could say that I’m a great guitar player, but at best, I’m mediocre.  As a singer I’m slightly below mediocre.  However, neither condition keeps me from playing.  What I have been able to do is surround myself with very competent musician/singers and together we put forth a credible sound and a good show.

In 1972, I met and befriended Joe-Joe Foot who is a very good drummer.  Together we started playing music at various parties for our friends sometimes we could find a harmonica player or bass player to join us.  We started calling ourselves Buck Shot and the O3Zone Ranger Band. When our friend Jean Martin gave us some personalized Tee-shirts with the name on it, the name stuck.

    

Unfortunately, Joe-Joe passed away in 2023.

"I'm Buck"

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Jean Martin

"Buck's Baby - Donna Rae"

  Left to Right: 

Brent Theory, Bernie Finch, Bridget March, Donna Schwan, Buck, Allison Theory, Joe-Joe Foot, and Margot Santola

Greg                                                        Bill

Johnston                                            Lofgren

Circa 1986 I was introduced by Bill Lofgren to Greg Johnston, his cousin, another guitar player/singer.

   

Greg and I hit it off immediately.

   

Greg became the feature player of Buck Shot and the O3Zone Ranger Band and we have been playing together ever since.

Greg and I have played music together at parties, camp outs, bars, golf tournaments, and cruises all over western U.S. and Canada.

We’re an unlikely duo.  Greg is a very successful man steeped in the Construction Business who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty; whereas, my proclivities are more towards the more mundane pursuits of golf, theatre, art, and music.  

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You could call Greg & me a “Felix & Oscar” pair.  Along with Greg comes his lovely wife Deanna “The Beav” Trappen Johnston, son Richard an aspiring bass player, and his youngest son Eric “Silky” Johnston former bassist and keyboard player with the band “Battle Me”.

Eric "Silky Johnston

The Johnston Family

Deanna 'The Beave'

Kanapaki Beach, Kauai 2011

The Johnston Men 2010

Green Pointe, CANADA

Greg is a hockey fanatic. He played junior high, high school, and college ice hockey from 1962 until graduating from St. Scholastica College after winning the 1974-75 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship with an outstanding winning record of 23 – 5. Greg along with his teammates was honored in 2011 by being inducted into the St. Scholastica College Athletics Hall of Fame.

Left -

1974 Greg Johnston and

Mike Dalton (President,  CEO Maui Jim’s Sun Glasses)

Left -

Rich Johnston, Greg, drink PBR from 2011 Stanley Cup

Chillin' with Stanley Cup

Hunter

Fisherman

Golfer

On Site Inspection

Executive

Entertainer

and a few of Greg's Toys...

1967 Camaro

'23 North River Fast Back

Yamaha 200HP motor

Greg & I get together as often as we can to play some music, sing a few songs, and socialize.  Our visits usually include a lot of golf, fishing, or watching hockey and imbibing a few adult beverages.  Our music is influenced by Greg’s love of Jerry Jeff Walker and is loud sometimes slightly out of tune and the songs are sometimes raunchy. Regardless, people always seem to like our shows, because our music comes from our hearts and is even better when son Silky is accompanying us. Pictured (right) are Greg & Beav’s good friends from Greg’s high school days, Vittie & Lucy Vitale, and when they visit the quality of the music and songs are greatly enhanced. 

Vittie & Lucy Vitale

Both are very good guitar players and singers not to mention they’re a very handsome couple. Another big influence on Greg’s music is his friend and mentor Pat “Cocktail” Liley, who is the quintessential rambling roustabout guitar playing singer.

Are you ready to Rock 'n Roll?   Live POP ROCK COUNTRY  Music from the 50s thru 80s

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