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To Phantom Tollbooth Visitors: 
Help yourself to the following one-song "soundtrack" to the article.  This is a free mp3 download: 

(You Dried Our) Crystal Tears 
Words and music by Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT ©2006 
http://www.drblt.com/music/ct.mp3 
 
 

To everything
Turn, turn, turn
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep…
(as performed by Ex-Bryds member, Chris Hillman

And Herb Pederson at Buck’s funeral)

Words adapted from the Bible, Book of Ecclesiastes

Music by Pete Seger

It’s hard to turn on a country music radio station these days without hearing Clint Black’s big hit, Killing Time.  But on April 4th, 2006, in Bakersfield, California, it was ‘Living’ Time at the Crystal Palace.  With the death of our beloved hometown, honky-tonk hero, Buck Owens, we had just been through dying time, followed by crying time. On April, 4th, 2006, there was a resurrection of sorts at the very place where, days earlier, Buck’s coffin was placed, at the foot of the stage for a public viewing ceremony.  Yes, thanks to Clint Black’s “killer” performance, it was ‘Living’ Time at the Crystal Palace.  It was an historic moment­the official reopening of the Crystal Palace, after a period in which (with the exception of the wake) it was closed in honor of Buck Owens.  On that historic morning, Clint Black breathed life back into the Crystal Palace and lit the darkened corners with his beloved “Blackness.” 

The April showers we woke up to that morning mercilessly mimicked the tears we left behind on the Streets of Bakersfield at Buck’s funeral two days prior.  The April showers didn’t stop scores of Buck Owens and Clint Black fans from showing up.   With a handful of tunes; a few handshakes (my hand being one of the grateful recipients), and a few kind words, Clint Black dried our Crystal tears.  He was the silver lining around the black cloud that showered the streets with those Crystal-teardrop-mimicking raindrops. 

He was a knight in shining armor--one who wore a black hat and wielded a guitar like a silver sword.  He came to save the day. 

The last act to perform there was Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. What a tough act, and a tough legacy to follow!  Clint masterfully and intimately delivered his handful of tunes at this free, jam-packed 8 am show.  To show his respect and the esteem he held for Buck, he also sang one song Buck made famous: Together Again.  The significance of the event, both historically and symbolically, could not be overstated.  He also took questions, sang Happy Birthday to fans in attendance, spoke fondly of Buck Owens, and responded to questions and comments from the audience.  He sang with warmth and grace.  The spirit of Buck Owens seemed to inhabit the room, and it was as if Buck were smiling down from the heavens. 

Thanks for the inspiration, Mr. Black.  Symbolically and historically, the significance of this event cannot be overstated.  You took the rain away.  Your songs were the May flowers planted, in the midst of April showers.  You left where Buck took off, turned our Crystal tears to triumph, and, as the dark clouds gently parted, you quietly rode off into the sunset.   We hope you come back real soon!