The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. His first album, Too Long in the Wasteland (released in 1989), was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of a series of acclaimed projects for Columbia and Sugar Hill. In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for his Longform Music Video of Where'd You Hide The Body. 1997's It Had To Happen received the American Indie Award for Best Americana Album.
In 2004, McMurtry released the universally-lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records. 2005's Childish Things garnered some of the highest critical praise of McMurtry's career and spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Americana Music Radio Chart in 2005 and 2006. In September 2006, Childish Things and "We Can't Make It Here" won the Americana Music Awards for Album and Song of the Year, respectively. McMurtry received more Americana Music Award nominations for 2008's Just Us Kids. This album marked his highest Billboard 200 chart position in more than 19 years.
In 2009, Live in Europe was released, capturing The McMurtry Band's first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, the disc features special guests Ian McLagan and Jon Dee Graham. Also, for the first time ever, video of the James McMurtry Band's live performance is available on the included DVD.
The poignant lyrics of his immense catalog still ring true today. In 2011, "We Can't Make It Here" was cited among 'The Nation's' "Best Protest Songs Ever." Bob Lefsetz writes, "'We Can't Make It Here' has stood the test of time because of its unmitigated truth."
Never one to rest on his laurels, James McMurtry continues to tour constantly, and consistently puts on a "must-see" powerhouse performance. 'The Washington Post' noted McMurtry's live prowess: "Much attention is paid to James McMurtry's lyrics, and rightfully so: He creates a novel's worth of emotion and experience in four minutes of blisteringly stark couplets. What gets overlooked, however, is that he's an accomplished rock guitar player. At a sold-out Birchmere, the Austin-based artist was joined by drummer Daren Hess and bassist Ronnie Johnson in a set that demonstrated the raw power of wince-inducing imagery propelled by electric guitar. It was serious stuff, imparted by a singularly serious band."
JAMES McMURTRY LIVE IN EUROPE CD WITH BONUS DVD DOCUMENTS FIRST EURO TOUR WITH GUESTS IAN MCLAGAN AND JON DEE GRAHAM
On October 13, 2009, Lightning Rod Records released Live in Europe, a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with long-time band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set is available as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert. In early 2009, James McMurtry and his trio traveled overseas to play their first European tour. The guys played for enthusiastic crowds in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Belgium. Joining the band on keyboards for the tour was the legendary Ian McLagan (who also played on McMurtry's latest studio album, Just Us Kids). The best recordings from the Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Geislingen, Germany concerts were combined to create Live in Europe. The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune "Laredo" on the bonus DVD.
JAMES McMURTRY ALBUMS REISSUED: 'CHILDISH THINGS' & 'LIVE IN AUGHT-THREE'
On February 1, 2011, two of James McMurtry's most popular albums, Childish Things and Live in Aught-Three were reissued by Lightning Rod Records. Live in Aught-Three has been remastered since its original 2004 release and will be available on vinyl for the first time. The deluxe double LP also includes a copy of the album on CD.
Choctaw Bingo
James McMurtry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a cherry Coke, we're goin to Oklahoma
To the family reunion for the first time in years
It's up at uncle Slaton's 'cause he's getting on in years
You know he no longer travels but he's still pretty spry
He's not much on talk and he's just too mean to die
And they'll be comin' down from Kansas and West Arkansas
It'll be one great big old party like you've never saw
Uncle Slaton's got his Texan pride
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
He's got an airstream trailer and a Holstein cow
Still makes whiskey, 'cause he still knows how
He plays that Choctaw Bingo every Friday night
You know he had to leave Texas but he won't say why
He owns a quarter section up by Lake Eufaula
Caught a great big ol' Bluecat on a driftin' jugline
Sells his hardwood timber to the chippin' mill
Cooks that crystal meth because his shine don't sell
He cooks that crystal meth because his 'shine don't sell
You know he likes that money, he don't mind the smell
My cousin Roscoe, Slaton's oldest boy
From his second marriage up in Illinois
He's raised in east St. Louis by his mamma's people
Where they do things different, thought he'd just come on down
He's goin' to Dallas, Texas in a semi truck
Caught from that big McDonald's
You know that one that's built up on that
Great big old bridge across the Will Rogers turnpike
Took the big cabin exit, stopped and bought a carton of cigarettes
At that Indian smoke shop with the big neon smoke rings
In the Cherokee nation, hit Muskogee late that night
Somebody ran the stoplight at the Shawnee Bypass
Roscoe tried to miss 'em but he didn't quite
Bob and Mae come up from
Some little town way down by
Lake Texoma, where he coaches football
They were two-A champions for two years running
But he says they won't be this year
No, they won't be this year
And he stopped off in Tushka at the pop knife and gun place
Bought a SKS rifle and a couple full cases of that steel core ammo
With the Berdan primers from some East bloc nation
That no longer needs 'em
And a Desert Eagle, that's one great big old pistol
I mean, fifty caliber made by bad-ass Hebrews
And some surplus tracers for that old BAR
Of Slaton's as soon as it gets dark, we're gonna have us a time
We're gonna have us a time
Ruth-Anne and Lynn come from Baxter Springs
That's one hell-raisin' town
Way up in Southeastern Kansas
Got a biker bar next to the lingerie store
That's got the Rollin' Stones' lips
Up there in bright pink neon
And they're right downtown where everyone can see 'em
And they burn all night
You know they burn all night
You know they burn all night
Ruth-Anne and Lynn, they wear them cut-off britches
And then skinny little halters and they're second cousins to me
Man, I dont care, I want to get between them
With a great big 'ol hard-on
Like an ol' Bodark fencepost
That you can hang a pipe rail gate from
Do some sister twisters till the cows come home
And we'll be having us a time
Uncle Slaton's got his Texan pride
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
He's cut that corner pasture into acre lots
He sells 'em owner financed strictly to them
It's got no kind of credit 'cause he knows they're slackers
And they'll miss that payment and then he takes it back
He plays that Choctaw Bingo every Friday night
And drinks his Johnny Walker at that club 69
We're gonna strap them kids in, and give 'em a lil' bitty bit
In a cherry Coke, we're goin to Oklahoma
Gonna have us a time
Gonna have us a time
The lyrics to James McMurtry's song Choctaw Bingo paint a vivid picture of a wild and dysfunctional family reunion in Oklahoma. The first stanza begins with the suggestion to give the kids a bit of vodka before making the drive up to Uncle Slaton's place for the reunion. The reference to Uncle Slaton's age and inability to travel suggests that this may be the last time the family gets together like this. The tone is lighthearted and anticipatory, with the promise of a big party.
The second stanza focuses on Uncle Slaton himself, a complicated character who embodies Texan pride and Asian sensibilities. He's portrayed as resourceful and quirky, with an airstream trailer, a Holstein cow, and a penchant for making whiskey and playing Choctaw Bingo. There are hints that he's been forced to leave Texas and turn to selling drugs to make a living. The third stanza introduces more family members, each with their own unique stories and quirks. There's the soldier Bob who buys guns and ammo on the way to the reunion and the sisters Ruth-Anne and Lynn, who wear provocative clothing and are cousins to the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Strap them kids in, give 'em a lil bit of vodka
Getting ready for the trip to Oklahoma and preparing the children for an exciting yet dangerous trip, by giving them some alcohol to calm their nerves.
In a cherry Coke, we're goin to Oklahoma
Going to Oklahoma, the destination of the family reunion.
To the family reunion for the first time in years
Visiting family after a long absence.
It's up at uncle Slaton's 'cause he's getting on in years
The reunion is being held at Uncle Slaton's place, as he is getting older and unable to travel.
You know he no longer travels but he's still pretty spry
Uncle Slaton may not be able to travel, but he is still energetic and active.
He's not much on talk and he's just too mean to die
Uncle Slaton may not talk much, but he is a tough and resilient person.
And they'll be comin' down from Kansas and West Arkansas
Family members will be coming from Kansas and West Arkansas for the reunion.
It'll be one great big old party like you've never saw
The reunion is expected to be a wild and fun party.
Uncle Slaton's got his Texan pride
Uncle Slaton is proud of his Texan heritage and identity.
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
Uncle Slaton is married to an Asian woman and they live in the woods.
He's got an airstream trailer and a Holstein cow
Uncle Slaton owns an airstream trailer and a Holstein cow.
Still makes whiskey, 'cause he still knows how
Uncle Slaton continues to make whiskey because he is good at it.
He plays that Choctaw Bingo every Friday night
Uncle Slaton spends his Friday nights playing Choctaw Bingo.
You know he had to leave Texas but he won't say why
Uncle Slaton left Texas for unknown reasons.
He owns a quarter section up by Lake Eufaula
Uncle Slaton owns a quarter section of land by Lake Eufaula.
Caught a great big ol' Bluecat on a driftin' jugline
Uncle Slaton caught a large fish called Bluecat on a drifting jugline.
Sells his hardwood timber to the chippin' mill
Uncle Slaton sells his hardwood timber to the chippin' mill.
Cooks that crystal meth because his shine don't sell
Uncle Slaton cooks crystal meth because his moonshine doesn't sell well.
You know he likes that money, he don't mind the smell
Uncle Slaton likes the money he makes from selling crystal meth, and he doesn't mind the smell.
My cousin Roscoe, Slaton's oldest boy
Roscoe is Uncle Slaton's oldest son and cousin to the artist.
From his second marriage up in Illinois
Roscoe's mother is from Illinois and this is his second marriage.
He's raised in east St. Louis by his mamma's people
Roscoe was raised by his mother's relatives in East St. Louis.
Where they do things different, thought he'd just come on down
Roscoe moved to Oklahoma from East St. Louis, where things are quite different.
He's goin' to Dallas, Texas in a semi truck
Roscoe is driving a semi truck to Dallas, Texas.
Caught from that big McDonald's
Roscoe works for a big McDonald's restaurant chain.
You know that one that's built up on that
Referring to a specific McDonald's restaurant.
Great big old bridge across the Will Rogers turnpike
This McDonald's restaurant is located on a large bridge over the Will Rogers turnpike.
Took the big cabin exit, stopped and bought a carton of cigarettes
Roscoe took the big cabin exit, stopped and bought a carton of cigarettes.
At that Indian smoke shop with the big neon smoke rings
Roscoe bought cigarettes at an Indian smoke shop that has big neon smoke rings.
In the Cherokee nation, hit Muskogee late that night
Roscoe travelled through the Cherokee nation and arrived in Muskogee late that night.
Somebody ran the stoplight at the Shawnee Bypass
A driver ran a stoplight at the Shawnee Bypass and caused an accident.
Roscoe tried to miss 'em but he didn't quite
Roscoe tried to avoid the accident but was unable to.
Bob and Mae come up from
Bob and Mae are family members who come from a small town.
Some little town way down by
The town where Bob and Mae come from is located far away.
Lake Texoma, where he coaches football
Bob is a football coach at Lake Texoma.
They were two-A champions for two years running
Bob's football team won the two-A championship for two consecutive years.
But he says they won't be this year
Bob does not believe that his team will win the championship this year.
No, they won't be this year
Bob's team will not win the championship this year.
And he stopped off in Tushka at the pop knife and gun place
Bob stopped at a store in Tushka that sells knives and guns.
Bought a SKS rifle and a couple full cases of that steel core ammo
Bob bought a SKS rifle and a couple of cases of steel core ammunition.
With the Berdan primers from some East bloc nation
The ammunition was made in some Eastern European country.
That no longer needs 'em
The country doesn't need the Berdan primers anymore.
And a Desert Eagle, that's one great big old pistol
Bob bought a Desert Eagle pistol, which is very big.
I mean, fifty caliber made by bad-ass Hebrews
The pistol is made by the Hebrews and is a fifty caliber.
And some surplus tracers for that old BAR
Bob also bought some surplus tracers for an old BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle).
Of Slaton's as soon as it gets dark, we're gonna have us a time
Bob plans to use the ammunition and the rifle that he bought from the store, along with Uncle Slaton's BAR, once it gets dark outside.
We're gonna have us a time
The group plans to have fun once they start using the weapons.
Ruth-Anne and Lynn come from Baxter Springs
Ruth-Anne and Lynn are family members who come from Baxter Springs.
That's one hell-raisin' town
Baxter Springs is known for its wild and rowdy behavior.
Way up in Southeastern Kansas
Baxter Springs is located in the southeastern region of Kansas.
Got a biker bar next to the lingerie store
There is a biker bar located next to a lingerie store in Baxter Springs.
That's got the Rollin' Stones' lips
The biker bar has the Rolling Stones' famous lips logo displayed.
Up there in bright pink neon
The lips logo is displayed in bright pink neon lights.
And they're right downtown where everyone can see 'em
The bar and lingerie store are located in the downtown area, where everyone can see them.
And they burn all night
The bar and store remain open and lively throughout the night.
Ruth-Anne and Lynn, they wear them cut-off britches
Ruth-Anne and Lynn wear short cut-off shorts.
And then skinny little halters and they're second cousins to me
Ruth-Anne and Lynn are the artist's second cousins and wear skinny halters.
Man, I dont care, I want to get between them
The artist is attracted to Ruth-Anne and Lynn and is interested in pursuing them sexually.
With a great big 'ol hard-on
The singer is aroused and has an erection.
Like an ol' Bodark fencepost
The artist's erection is compared to a Bodark fencepost, which is known for its hardness.
That you can hang a pipe rail gate from
The singer's erection is so hard that one could hang a pipe rail gate from it.
Do some sister twisters till the cows come home
The singer plans to engage in sexual activity with his second cousins for a long period of time and until the morning.
Uncle Slaton's got his Texan pride
Uncle Slaton is proud to be a Texan.
Back in the thickets with his Asian bride
Uncle Slaton's Asian wife lives with him in the woods.
He's cut that corner pasture into acre lots
Uncle Slaton has divided his pasture into smaller acre lots.
He sells 'em owner financed strictly to them
Uncle Slaton sells these acre lots on an owner-financed basis and only to certain people.
It's got no kind of credit 'cause he knows they're slackers
Uncle Slaton does not check the credit of buyers because he knows they are not responsible or reliable.
And they'll miss that payment and then he takes it back
Uncle Slaton takes back the acre lots from buyers who miss their payments.
He plays that Choctaw Bingo every Friday night
Uncle Slaton spends his Friday nights playing Choctaw Bingo.
And drinks his Johnny Walker at that club 69
Uncle Slaton drinks Johnny Walker at a club called 69.
We're gonna strap them kids in, and give 'em a lil' bitty bit
The children will be strapped in for safety on the trip and given a small amount of alcohol.
Gonna have us a time
The group plans to have a wild and fun time during the reunion in Oklahoma.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James McMurtry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind