I’m Proud to be An Oakie From Muskogee

I‘m Proud To Be An Oakie From Muskogee

Merle Haggard wrote this tune at the height of the anti-war demonstrations in the late Sixties and he really hit a nerve. “We don’t burn our draft cards down at the courthouse.” ‘White Lightning’s still the biggest thrill of all.” He is a poet of the people, the working poor, rednecks, the elite booshwa. Songwriters try to pen anthems that sell this many records but it has to be from the heart. Merle was surprised by its popularity. He was just painting a picture of the country he witnessed on the road. A drummer has to give equal time to each song no matter the politics. My JukeBox Brain woke me up at dawn as if it was time to go milk the cows instead of putting this song on replay in my head. A song works if it takes the temperature of the culture and reports a story. We are a story telling nation and the drummer’s job is to keep it going no matter the style. The voice that cries to be heard can be anyone if the sentiment is right. “Oakie” is a two beat drum pattern, designed to get you up and dancing. Merle knew his business. He had played bass with Buddy Holly in Texas back in the heyday of early country music. I don’t begrudge him this portrait of America. But its driving me nuts.