Three years later, Owens and Harris released a lyrically-updated duet of a tribute to the song called “Play Together Again, Again,” which reached #11. In 1979, a duet version of “Together Again” by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West was originally recorded for their “Classics” album, but ended up coming out on Kenny’s “Duets” album five years later. The Rogers/West single of “Together Again” peaked at #19 in the spring of ’84. In 2013, Vince Gill released his own version of the song (featuring steel guitarist Paul Franklin) on his much-acclaimed album “Bakersfield.”
Buck Owens’ impact on the country music world has often been overlooked through the years. Although notching 21 chart-topping hits and holding the #1 position for 82 weeks (ranking him as one of country’s ten most-successful recording artists), his influence is sometimes dismissed without much thought or consideration. This might be contributed to his “happy-go-lucky” demeanor on the “Hee Haw” television series, but as an artist and songwriter, Owens stands tall. He not only forged a new, wildly successful sound, but was also responsible for bringing country music to a legion of new converts. Buck’s honest approach and easy smile won him millions of fans. Yet, his most lasting and impressive work may have been one whose potential not even he could foresee. “Together Again” became an indelible classic despite Owens’ initial opinion of it, and the song will always be there to remind us of the man’s genius.