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tularetom

(23,664 posts)

197. My dad was an actual Okie from Muskogee

Wed Apr 27, 2016, 10:21 PM

Apr 2016

He thought the song was silly but he loved Merle Haggard's music about the 30's migration to CA.

"California Cottonfields", "Tulare Dust", "Mama Tried", all of those and many others, really hit home with him.

I'm sure there were racists among the depression era migrants to CA, but my dad was not one of them. I'm pretty sure Haggard wasn't either.

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I'm sorry, but Merle Haggard was a right-wing reactionary unAmerican asshole [View all] jpak Apr 2016 OP

You got the wrong Merle Haggard... ScreamingMeemie Apr 2016 #1

I think Haggard was a mix of things TM99 Apr 2016 #3

He was an independent thinker for sure ScreamingMeemie Apr 2016 #6

He repudiated a lot of what he wrote about in the 60's and 70's Major Nikon Apr 2016 #13

Yeah, he cashed in both ways jpak Apr 2016 #16

Then so did Joan Baez when she covered his songs Major Nikon Apr 2016 #18

Baez sold out jpak Apr 2016 #20

Good luck getting anyone to buy that Major Nikon Apr 2016 #23

He did jpak Apr 2016 #25

Well you certainly make a convincing argument Major Nikon Apr 2016 #27

Tricky Dick concurs jpak Apr 2016 #41

Nobody concurs with you Major Nikon Apr 2016 #98

This OP reminds me: Never underestimate the power of a fart joke... Eleanors38 Apr 2016 #112

Merle Haggard thought gun nuts were assholes jpak Apr 2016 #137

Don't think kcdoug1 Apr 2016 #155

Good to know. TM99 Apr 2016 #29

He also claimed the Okie from Muskogie was satire...... yellowcanine Apr 2016 #67

Yeah, I heard that too when I moved to Nashville in '79..... socialist_n_TN Apr 2016 #71

A free beer for you whenever in Austin. Eleanors38 Apr 2016 #113

Why thank you!........ socialist_n_TN Apr 2016 #162

I never understood why he'd write this song. skip fox Apr 2016 #124

These bands certainly saw it as satire, as well. HuckleB Apr 2016 #128

And it's really funny as satire. skip fox Apr 2016 #144

It was not presented as satire in 1969 jpak Apr 2016 #160

Keep ignoring the full story, so ... HuckleB Apr 2016 #164

What press release from Haggart or from Billboard in 1969 defined it as jpak Apr 2016 #167

Derp. HuckleB Apr 2016 #179

Okie from Muskogee was RW screed jpak Apr 2016 #180

Derp. HuckleB Apr 2016 #183

This is an over-simplification that is not correct. djg21 Apr 2016 #196

Yes, he was. TM99 Apr 2016 #2

He became a lot better person in his later years. redstateblues Apr 2016 #4

Holy crap! El Supremo Apr 2016 #5

I was around when 'Okie From Muskogee' was a hit jpak Apr 2016 #9

Long before you. El Supremo Apr 2016 #12

No it was not jpak Apr 2016 #15

You weren't listening, then. 6000eliot Apr 2016 #50

Everyone I know from My Generation knows exactly what it was about jpak Apr 2016 #56

Well, then. You and everyone you know must obviously be right. Act_of_Reparation Apr 2016 #79

lol. Amimnoch Apr 2016 #92

Wrong. I used the song in a media education seminar to show how content could be... Eleanors38 Apr 2016 #115

RW gun nuts are easily confused by pretty things jpak Apr 2016 #161

Prohibitionists offer suffer from Gunneria. Eleanors38 Apr 2016 #193

Wait a minute. I'm from this generation (born in 1946) and although skip fox Apr 2016 #127

I'm with you on this one, Elway. madinmaryland Apr 2016 #28

I thought it was satire at the time and Haggard claimed that it was. yellowcanine Apr 2016 #68

Hmm...an anti-drug, pro-war screed...well, let's take a look: PatrickforO Apr 2016 #33

There is so much more to his catalog than this. alarimer Apr 2016 #86

I was rpannier Apr 2016 #168

We are well on our way to a Laura Braniganesque evening ScreamingMeemie Apr 2016 #10

you have no clue. spanone Apr 2016 #7

I'm sorry - that one song defined him jpak Apr 2016 #24

That's "Pancho and Lefty" you're thinking of. (nt) Recursion Apr 2016 #26

He didn't write Pancho & Lefty djg21 Apr 2016 #37

Ouch jpak Apr 2016 #45

What "ouch"? I love Townes Recursion Apr 2016 #48

Best covers of Pancho & Lefty djg21 Apr 2016 #194

And Springsteen didn't write "Jersey Girl" (though he did write "Because the Night") Recursion Apr 2016 #47

Tom Waits is one of my heros. djg21 Apr 2016 #195

like i said, you have no clue. but that's your right! spanone Apr 2016 #30

"Mama Tried." "Silver Wings." HuckleB Apr 2016 #123

I agree with you. oneshooter Apr 2016 #188

Can't stand him yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #8

Hurrah. You win grave pisser of the day AngryAmish Apr 2016 #19

What does that mean? yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #21

What exactly is wrong with being a hillbilly? Separation Apr 2016 #83

+1,000 ... 000 HuckleB Apr 2016 #165

You are so, so very wrong. alarimer Apr 2016 #85

Let us agree to disagree yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #97

Much country is cry in you beer music, at least was. alfredo Apr 2016 #135

Even Jones thought that was a terrible song... for once he was correct. yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #147

your lack of exposure is showing...however, to quote Buck Owens.. islandmkl Apr 2016 #166

right yourpaljoey Apr 2016 #169

before you continue, i suggest you at least look up the lyrics so you don't continue to post islandmkl Apr 2016 #172

I'm not a country music fan, but I understand its appeal. Fan loyalty is so important. alfredo Apr 2016 #177

At some point you will learn not to define your artistic tastes by what you hate. Maedhros Apr 2016 #132

At times he was mattvermont Apr 2016 #11

He was the reason I rejected country music jpak Apr 2016 #14

Wow. Such narrow-minded bullshit alarimer Apr 2016 #87

Racist? Straw Man Apr 2016 #93

Sometimes I think DU is having a contest pintobean Apr 2016 #17

Word... ScreamingMeemie Apr 2016 #22

+1 Hekate Apr 2016 #34

Well said. Brickbat Apr 2016 #102

and wut wuz the most Progressive lyric from 'Okie From Muskogee' jpak Apr 2016 #170

You win. pintobean Apr 2016 #187

Just a reminder... jpak Apr 2016 #31

Love it. Always did pintobean Apr 2016 #35

ack jpak Apr 2016 #39

It's just a song. pintobean Apr 2016 #42

Nope - back in the day it was a powerful political statement jpak Apr 2016 #43

Grateful Dead with the Beach Boys April 27th, 1971 pintobean Apr 2016 #54

Irony is lost on the....ahem jpak Apr 2016 #58

No, they got it. pintobean Apr 2016 #59

Yeah that was the day the GD and BB renounced drugs, long hair, Roman Sandals, beads jpak Apr 2016 #60

So is 'Dixie' - speaking of grudges... jpak Apr 2016 #96

Dixie been getting any airplay? pintobean Apr 2016 #99

It got played - with enthusiasm - at many SEC football games jpak Apr 2016 #141

I can't remember where or when Warpy Apr 2016 #57

And I am just so sure he would give a shit at what you think of him. leftofcool Apr 2016 #32

Whoopty-fukin-do... Inkfreak Apr 2016 #36

You should read his autobiography. Punkingal Apr 2016 #38

Please proceed. Tell us more aikoaiko Apr 2016 #40

Lee Atwater proceeds from this song jpak Apr 2016 #44

The horror. The horror. aikoaiko Apr 2016 #46

back in the day it was a powerful anti-hippie statement jpak Apr 2016 #52

I guess one had to be there. Songs don't scare me. aikoaiko Apr 2016 #63

I was there and thought it was satire. Still do. yellowcanine Apr 2016 #69

That wasn't what did it! It was this movie... snooper2 Apr 2016 #110

99.9% of country singers, no matter how talented, are simply playing to their audience ... LannyDeVaney Apr 2016 #49

I listen to soma fm's "Boot Liquor" every now and then. kentauros Apr 2016 #72

Are you familiar with "Dewberry Jam Community Radio"? FrodosPet Apr 2016 #91

He was a complicated man. As are most of us. His talent was singular. Stinky The Clown Apr 2016 #51

Oh, what the hell, this thread needs more cowbell , , , . rug Apr 2016 #53

Merle!!!! jpak Apr 2016 #55

That's some of the worst crap on the planet rockfordfile Apr 2016 #178

I don't care what his politics were he was a great talent. doc03 Apr 2016 #61

.that^ X100 840high Apr 2016 #62

Actually, I did stop watching Clint Eastwood movies Trajan Apr 2016 #139

Man, you missed a great line there ballabosh Apr 2016 #184

I never really watched any of the idiot's movies. rockfordfile Apr 2016 #176

Lyrics to his anti-Bush admin. song, "America First" (2005) VOX Apr 2016 #64

Thanks. Used to play that on the juke at the Horseshoe. Didn't get the flak Eleanors38 Apr 2016 #116

I bet OP is an middle class urbanite who thinks all us rural people are "dumb hicks", too. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #65

And everybody in the south is a racist redneck. alarimer Apr 2016 #88

LOL jpak Apr 2016 #101

I bet you are wrong - and for the record I do not like the following country "artists" jpak Apr 2016 #100

It can be difficult for an irrational mind to separate the art from the artist. LanternWaste Apr 2016 #103

agree completely Angel Martin Apr 2016 #107

please don't start a statement with "I'm sorry" when you really aren't. Javaman Apr 2016 #66

Of course, we can figure that out kentauros Apr 2016 #73

It's one of the most annoying ways to start a sentence. Ever. Inkfreak Apr 2016 #142

You're wrong. SixString Apr 2016 #70

Merle EVOLVED, like so many others we're 'splained to about. Zorra Apr 2016 #74

I think you're right. Good article here... Duppers Apr 2016 #150

1700 views and no recs. America has more than one A-h L. Coyote Apr 2016 #75

It got one jpak Apr 2016 #143

You obviously know nothing hobbit709 Apr 2016 #76

Not big a fan, saw him open for Bob Dylan once. But, never saw him with a confederate flag. Hoyt Apr 2016 #77

That one song defines him..." islandmkl Apr 2016 #78

LOL BellaLuna Apr 2016 #80

pretty funny that you get all 'anti-hippie' about Merle... islandmkl Apr 2016 #81

It's all going to pot! Let's hope if a song can incite something ghostsinthemachine Apr 2016 #82

The fact that Merle and Willie were such good friends ought to tell anyone all they need to know. HuckleB Apr 2016 #130

SSDD DustyJoe Apr 2016 #84

I worked on a couple of his shows waaaay back in the day. In all my years as a 'crew chick' he underahedgerow Apr 2016 #89

From one satire fan to another! FrodosPet Apr 2016 #90

Am i the only one who dislikes, "I'm sorry, but" as an opener? scioto99 Apr 2016 #94

Wut YoungDemCA Apr 2016 #95

Mmmmkay. 'Splain this. KamaAina Apr 2016 #104

And this. KamaAina Apr 2016 #105

+1,000,000 ... 000 HuckleB Apr 2016 #131

I can't hate him just because I disagreed with SOME of his views. hollowdweller Apr 2016 #106

I admit to liking some of Ted Nugent's tunes. Throd Apr 2016 #108

Merle Haggard is not Ted Nugent. HuckleB Apr 2016 #140

Not sayin' he is. Throd Apr 2016 #151

Ted "racist" Nugent's music is terrible. Not to mention the guy is a pos. rockfordfile Apr 2016 #175

Well, he's dead now. hamsterjill Apr 2016 #109

You know, there's a continuum. PatrickforO Apr 2016 #111

"I was dumb as a rock when I wrote 'Okie From Muskogee,'" Mr. Haggard told the Americana napkinz Apr 2016 #114

The guy was a great human, acknowledged his own foibles. HuckleB Apr 2016 #126

exactly! napkinz Apr 2016 #129

You must remember that no one give a damn what you care about, TheManInTheMac Apr 2016 #117

His song? TransitJohn Apr 2016 #118

I'd go with this one, myself. HuckleB Apr 2016 #125

I'm sorry, but you have no clue. bluedigger Apr 2016 #119

Did you know he was a Democrat? probably should have done some research book_worm Apr 2016 #120

Hope you have a big roll of Charmin! whistler162 Apr 2016 #121

So the Grateful Dead, Beach Boys, Phil Ochs, String Cheese Incident and The Melvins... HuckleB Apr 2016 #122

Wow don't tell Willy Nelson that, he was a close friend of Merle. B Calm Apr 2016 #133

wow, your thread got ONE REC ... your own! napkinz Apr 2016 #134

Hooray! jpak Apr 2016 #182

aw, bless your heart! fishwax Apr 2016 #136

and yours too jpak Apr 2016 #138

I believe fishwax is taking a shot at you KamaAina Apr 2016 #145

I know that - it was a rebuttal jpak Apr 2016 #148

Merle's target audience circa 1969 jpak Apr 2016 #146

your hatred is noted. spanone Apr 2016 #149

How so? jpak Apr 2016 #153

He did evolve. Read this... Duppers Apr 2016 #152

So did George Wallace - but that does not excuse either of them jpak Apr 2016 #154

So, do you like Merle or not? Stop beating about the bush. kwassa Apr 2016 #156

Money grubbing yes - but politically no jpak Apr 2016 #159

People on the right and the left cross over as fans regardless... dubyadiprecession Apr 2016 #157

That song was funny... Mike Nelson Apr 2016 #158

becuz it justified and exposed everything that the Silent Majority stood for jpak Apr 2016 #163

Like the right wing embraces 'Born in the USA' because they are idiots, not because the song sukcs. Bluenorthwest Apr 2016 #173

That is why Christie is so in Luv with Springsteen jpak Apr 2016 #174

the only real question on this idiot post (I did not say idiot's) is trying to figure out... islandmkl Apr 2016 #171

please post and justify the lyrics of Okie from Muskogee jpak Apr 2016 #181

you've seen them above...and i have no need to justify anything concerning another person's islandmkl Apr 2016 #185

My play list would not include MG or any other RW douchebaggery jpak Apr 2016 #186

I've been listening to a Merle Haggard retrospective on the radio tonight cemaphonic Apr 2016 #189

+1. nt bemildred Apr 2016 #190

Like most people (and artists)... sendero Apr 2016 #191

Pretty pitiful when you rec your own OP after 191 replies and 0 recs hobbit709 Apr 2016 #192

My dad was an actual Okie from Muskogee tularetom Apr 2016 #197