# Susan Raye's 82nd Birthday

> Susan Raye, born in Oregon 82 years ago, scored top 10 country hits with Buck Owens in the 1970s.
- Title: Susan Raye's 82nd Birthday · American Songwriter | Shortify
- Summary: Susan Raye, born in Oregon 82 years ago, scored top 10 country hits with Buck Owens in the 1970s. Susan Raye, born October 8, 1944, in Eugene, Oregon, had…
- Keywords: susan raye, buck owens, country music, 1970s, top 10 hits, eugene oregon, bakersfield, music, culture, Susan, Raye's, 82nd
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-82-years-ago-today-in-oregon-the-sunny-voiced-buck-owens-protegee-with-a-string-of-top-10-country-hits-in-the-1970s
- Author: Erinn Callahan
- Published: 2026-10-08T14:47:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: susan raye, buck owens, country music, 1970s, top 10 hits, eugene oregon, bakersfield, music, culture
## Susan Raye's Birth
Susan Raye was born on October 8, 1944, in Eugene, Oregon.
## Buck Owens Mentorship
Buck Owens' manager Jack McFadden helped Susan Raye start singing with him in 1968.
## Early Country Success
Raye scored her first top 30 hit in 1970 with a cover of Jackie DeShannon’s song.
## Solo Breakthrough
Raye released three straight top 10 solo hits in 1971, including an international crossover hit.
## International Impact
Her 1971 hit reached number two in Australia and number one in New Zealand.
## Career Shift
Raye left music in the late 1970s to become a counselor after her family and faith motivated her.
## Key takeaway

Susan Raye, born October 8, 1944, in Eugene, Oregon, had seven top 10 country hits in the 1970s after starting with Buck Owens.