Born in San Francisco, California, Buckley received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1979.
He turned the financially struggling Ferndale Repertory Theater into a successful local art center, adding staff and health care benefits for the first time in the organization's history.
[2] He also worked on the nationally recognized Arts Plus programs for K-8 classrooms through work with the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., and with the Boys & Girls Club, Hospice of Humboldt, KEET-TV (PBS), KHSU (NPR), Humboldt Senior Center, Arcata Children's Center, Pacific Art Center, the Ink People, and Head Start to raise funds.
For 15 years, Buckley has been a political commentator for NPR affiliates, including Jefferson Public Radio.
[1][2] In 2002, as a Democrat, he ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress representing Oregon's 2nd congressional district against incumbent Republican Greg Walden.