The Centralia College Foundation has selected Don Rich, who was born Donald Eugene Urich, for its 2025 Legacy Award.
The award honors his dedication, commitment and contribution to music, specifically the country music revival of the 1960s and 1970s, the foundation stated in a news release.
Rich will be formally recognized in the upcoming year. Details will be announced at a later date.
Rich was raised in Olympia and Tumwater and was taught by his parents to play the fiddle at age 3. He eventually added the guitar and played in local music contests, in school and in bars.
At age 16, in 1957, he opened for Elvis Presley in Tacoma.
In 1958, he enrolled in Centralia College with the goal of training to become a music teacher. However, in 1958 Rich’s band was playing in Tacoma when he caught the attention of country music superstar Buck Owens. He joined Owens at local gigs and played fiddle with him on a weekly television show, BAR-K Jamboree, on KTNT-TV 13 in Tacoma.
After finishing fall quarter in 1960 at Centralia College, Rich headed south to join Buck Owens in Bakersfield, California, and become a full-time member of his band, The Buckaroos. They were collaborators and performers for almost 15 years, achieving plenty of success.
Rich co-wrote several songs, including “Before You Go” and “Think of Me,” both of which hit No.1 on the charts, and performed on such hits as “Under Your Spell Again,” “Tiger by the Tail,” and “Act Naturally.”
Rich also became a part of the Buck Owens television projects. In 1966, he performed on “The Buck Owens Ranch Show” until CBS launched “Hee Haw” in 1969. The show went into syndication in 1971 and remained a weekly series until 1992. The Buckaroos served as the house band. Rich served as the musical director for the show.
Rich was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 17, 1974, after leaving Owen’s Bakersfield ranch. He was just 32 years old.
“Don Rich was such an exceptional talent,” said Joe Dolezal, Centralia College Foundation Board and Legacy Committee member. “It’s an honor to recognize him with the 2025 Legacy Award. He accomplished so much, and was a lasting influence on country music locally, regionally and nationally.”
Since 2023, the Centralia College Foundation’s Legacy Award has been given annually to an individual or group who has shown dedication, commitment and contribution to the mission of Centralia College.
The recipients are not required to be Centralia College alumni, and the Legacy Award may be given posthumously.
Last year’s honoree was Larry McGee. In 2023, the foundation honored Dave Blanchard with the first Legacy Award.
