Victoria Hallman's romance with Buck Owens, which lasted for a year, is a cherished memory
for the "Hee Haw Honey."
Join us as Facts Verse presents: Victoria Hallman Reveals the Details of Her Romance
with Buck Owens
Victoria Hallman was born on May 5, 1958, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Hallman gained fame through her appearances as a Hee Haw Honey on the television show
Hee Haw.
The show, which aired from 1969 to 1992, showcased country music performances, skits, and comedy.
Hallman joined the cast in 1982 and became a regular until 1992.
Before joining Hee Haw, Hallman pursued a career in singing and dancing.
She performed as a backup singer for various country music artists, including Mel Tillis
and Johnny Lee.
In addition to her work on Hee Haw, Hallman appeared in a few television shows and movies.
She had small roles in films such as Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and Six Pack (1982).
Over the years, Hallman has participated in Hee Haw reunion events and concerts, where
former cast members come together to celebrate the show's legacy and perform for fans.
Hee Haw remains an iconic television show in the country music genre, and Victoria Hallman's
role as a Hee Haw Honey contributed to its success.
The show introduced many talented performers to a wider audience and remains beloved by
fans of country music and comedy.
However, one thing that fans might not know is that Victoria was actually involved in
a secret romantic relationship with co-star Buck Owens.
According to the star herself, Victoria Hallman and Buck Owens had a whirlwind romance that
lasted only a year, but the talented songstress has no regrets about their time together.
In her 2018 tell-all book "Hollywood Lights, Nashville Nights," co-written with co-star
Diana Goodman, Hallman opened up about her experiences.
She revealed that their relationship was a slow and gradual development, which began
in March 1979 and ended a year later in March 1980.
Their connection started as a deep friendship, with countless discussions and late-night
conversations about a range of topics.
Hallman emphasized that their mental connection was significant to them both.
However, Owens often spoke about the challenges of fame, referring to it as the demanding
mistress Lady Limelight.
Despite the eventual end of their romantic involvement, their friendship endured until
Owens' passing in 2006.
Hallman's music career began at an early age when she signed a record contract in Nashville.
She made appearances on prominent shows like "The Merv Griffin Show" and "The Steve Allen
Show."
In the 1970s, she served as an opening act for Bob Hope, who encouraged her to move to
California.
It was there that she caught the attention of Owens, leading to her joining his touring
band and eventually becoming a part of the "Hee Haw" cast in 1979.
After their romance concluded, Hallman met and fell in love with her future husband.
Owens, although initially upset about her engagement, wanted to maintain their friendship.
In 1981, Owens surprised Hallman with a phone call, expressing his desire to record an album
with her.
They recorded ten songs, but due to personal and career challenges, the album was shelved
indefinitely.
Years later, after Owens' passing, Hallman discovered that the masters of their collaboration
were lost.
She had given up hope of ever finding the songs until a record collector contacted her
with an acetate recording he found at a yard sale.
The rare recording made its way back to Hallman, and with the help of Omnivore Recordings and
audio engineer Michael Graves, the album titled "From Birmingham to Bakersfield" was finally
released in April.
Reflecting on her time with Owens and the unexpected album release, Hallman expressed
gratitude for her experiences on "Hee Haw" and the impact Owens had on her life.
She fondly remembers their deep conversations and believes that their friendship transcends
death.
Hallman cherishes their bond, considering it a spiritual connection that will always
be with her.
In June 1980, Hallman married Jim Halper, who is described as a Clark Gable look-alike
with Paul Newman's eyes.
According to Hallman, her marriage to Halper eventually ended in divorce in November 1985.
It is not mentioned why they divorced or any further details about their relationship.
Friendship with Buck Owens: Despite the end of their romantic involvement, Hallman maintained
a close friendship with Buck Owens until his death in 2006.
They had a deep bond and continued to support and care for each other throughout the years.
Hallman has mentioned her spiritual beliefs and expresses her belief that friendship transcends
death.
She believes that the energy and bond between her and Owens continue to exist after his
passing.
Buck Owens, born Alvis Edgar Owens Jr. on August 12, 1929, in Sherman, Texas, was an
American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
Considered one of the pioneers of the Bakersfield sound, Owens is renowned for his honky-tonk
style and his influence on the development of country music.
Owens' family relocated to Arizona during the Great Depression, where he grew up and
developed an interest in music.
He learned to play the guitar at a young age and performed in various local bands during
his teenage years.
In the early 1950s, Owens moved to Bakersfield, California, where he formed a band called
The Buckaroos.
In 1959, Owens secured his first solo recording contract with Capitol Records.
He released several successful singles, including "Under Your Spell Again" and "Second Fiddle,"
which earned him his first number one hit on the country charts.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Owens continued to dominate the country music scene, with
numerous chart-topping singles like "Act Naturally," "Together Again," and "I've Got a Tiger by
the Tail."
Buck Owens' signature sound was characterized by a blend of traditional honky-tonk and rockabilly
elements, often featuring tight vocal harmonies and twangy guitar solos.
His music had a distinctive and energetic quality that appealed to a wide audience,
making him one of the most successful country artists of his time.
Apart from his successful music career, Owens also gained fame on television thanks to "Hee
Haw”.
"Hee Haw" was created by Frank Peppiatt and John Aylesworth and was inspired by the country
music and comedy sketches of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In."
The show featured a mix of musical performances, comedic sketches, and recurring segments that
showcased the talents of both established and up-and-coming country music artists.
"Hee Haw" aimed to celebrate and promote country music and rural culture, making it a unique
and beloved program for fans of the genre.
The hosts of "Hee Haw" were Buck Owens and Roy Clark.
Buck Owens, known for his successful music career and contributions to the Bakersfield
sound, brought his charm and musical expertise to the show.
Roy Clark, a talented multi-instrumentalist and comedian, provided his own brand of humor
and musical talent to the mix.
The format of "Hee Haw" included regular segments like "Pfft!
You Were Gone," where cast members would recite humorous poems about absent friends, and "Gloom,
Despair, and Agony on Me," which showcased comedic scenarios set to a sad country song.
The show also featured performances of classic country songs, duets, and instrumental solos.
"Hee Haw" had a distinctive and recognizable set design, featuring a mock rural community
with barns, cornfields, and farm props.
The cast members often appeared in overalls and straw hats, embracing a stereotypical
rural image while delivering lighthearted comedy.
The show was not initially embraced by television executives, but it found success in syndication,
eventually becoming one of the longest-running weekly syndicated shows in history.
"Hee Haw" gained a large and loyal audience, particularly in rural and southern regions
of the United States.
Throughout its run, "Hee Haw" welcomed a wide range of guest stars, including renowned country
artists such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard.
It also provided a platform for emerging talents, helping to launch the careers of many aspiring
country musicians.
"Hee Haw" came to an end in 1992 after 23 seasons, but its impact on country music and
popular culture remains significant.
The show's mix of music, comedy, and rural charm made it a beloved institution and a
cultural touchstone for fans of country music.
It continues to be remembered as a unique and influential television program that celebrated
the rich heritage of country music and showcased its talented performers.
Buck Owens' influence on country music is immeasurable.
His innovative approach to the genre, often referred to as the "Bakersfield sound," left
a lasting impact on subsequent generations of artists.
Owens received numerous accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
Sadly, Buck Owens passed away on March 25, 2006, at the age of 76, due to heart failure.
However, his music continues to resonate with fans and remains an important part of country
music history.
Despite never tying the knot with Victoria Hallman, Buck Owens was married four times
over the course of his lifetime.
His first marriage was to Bonnie Campbell in 1948, but they divorced in 1951.
He then married Phyllis Buford in 1951, and they had two sons together, Buddy and Michael.
However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1953.
Owens married his third wife, Don Rich's sister Jana Jae, in 1977, but this marriage also
ended in divorce in 1983.
Finally, he married Jennifer Smith in 1986, and they remained married until his death
in 2006.
Buck Owens had multiple children from his marriages.
With his second wife, Phyllis Buford, he had two sons, Buddy Alan Owens and John Owens.
Buddy Alan followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a career in country music.
Buck Owens also had two daughters, Melinda and Jennifer, from other relationships.
In addition to his music career, Buck Owens was involved in various business ventures.
He owned a number of radio stations, including the successful Bakersfield-based KUZZ AM/FM.
Owens also established the Crystal Palace, a renowned country music venue and restaurant
in Bakersfield, California, which became a popular destination for fans of country music.
Long before his death, Owens faced a tragic event in 1974 when his longtime musical partner
and best friend, Don Rich, died in a motorcycle accident.
Rich's death had a significant impact on Owens, both personally and professionally, and he
dedicated the song "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail" to him.
In the later years of his life, Buck Owens continued to perform and record music.
He experienced health issues in the early 2000s, including pneumonia, but he remained
active in his career until his death.
Victoria Hallman claims that she regrets nothing about her secret romance with Buck Owens.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that Hee Haw’s Victoria Hallman and
Buck Owens were secretly a romantic item, and that they recorded a long-lost album of
material together?
Comment down below!