James McMurtry "Choctaw Bingo"

[@Masoninblue]

I live in North Texas less than 30 miles from the Choctaw Casino. McMurtry has captured the area perfectly. He's the real deal, a treasure.

[@SH29824]

sounds like my family in South Carolina

[@Heisenbrick]

@@SH29824 Or like my family in central Florida,…… we are one (1) my brother! Don’t ever forget what it means to be an American!

[@royebarb4328]

This is about an area just south of Muscogee club 69 in Checotah Oklahoma

[@thinkitthru6]

Mr. McMurtry is a very fine Anthropologist-Musician. He understands and communicates the many facets of our American culture. (like it or not) . Storyteller supreme.

[@benjaminpbarrett7607]

@thinkitthru6 None better or even close since Zevon left us.

[@petsubet]

He learned storytelling from his daddy...

[@drewfife5169]

Fine guitar player too.

[@jessewhite8701]

It's either the methodist or the cousin FU ckin

[@joannehack7588]

😎

[@5084fox]

A complete novella in one song. So underrated-both artist and song.

[@killingsworthgc]

Very well said!

[@loose-drag]

Maybe not well-known, but certainly not underrated.

[@victormodjeski4173]

I've seen him a half dozen times,,Americas best songwriter, since Warren Zevon. This song should be our national anthem.

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

Ah, Warren Zevon. I loved him until I saw him all f***ed up in concert. He got sober and refused to take meds even when he had a killer disease. He finally relented. Good for him. Sorry, but I could do mindless rap like this when I was twelve. I think that's what Ray Charles said about rap. Never-the-less I like the rythem of the thing. Isn't he the son of McMurtry the writer? I could critique the writers writing too. I love a lot of his stuff.

[@victormodjeski4173]

@@Jeff-jg7jh ya,his dad wrote lonesome dove.

[@thuddreau5444]

Please listen Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brother The Caldwell Brothers and The Marshall Tucker Band The Great Divide , John Prine , even that Elton John western album The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Jimmy Ibasen John Stewart Ted Snyder especially The Amrican Hardworking Band ?

[@victormodjeski4173]

@thuddreau5444 I'm familiar with em all, and it's Todd Snyder, seen him a few times

[@jensganman244]

This guy is a National Treasure.

[@joannehack7588]

Indeed

[@joannehack7588]

🎆

[@steveoh4595]

That guitar sounds like a whole band, there is so much going on there...

[@angelalb007]

Yes!!!

[@donniewhitley8286]

Mcmurtry is the man.....quite an artist & doesn't need a band. Why pay a band when not needed at all...love it!!

[@bobvila2188]

Your comment is 7 years old and still perfect

[@bruceripepi867]

Open tuning? Sounds awesome.

[@Dahn.Baern.]

I was born and raised in north east Oklahoma. Been all over the state, and this song is the most accurate Oklahoma song I’ve ever heard, sadly. The MAJORITY of Oklahomans truly have lives exactly like this song. I love it

[@mikemccoy3430]

Damn he has so much going on in this song! 12 string mastery, lyrics for days in a 9 minute song, clear piercing eyes, deep Oklahoma reality. Only a Methodist from Oklahoma would understand.

[@georgefuller5426]

Mike Mccoy ,, hey now ,, I grew up in oklahoma and Texas ,, I AM AWARE

[@wandersonwheels2190]

Spent 10 years in Yukon. Def Oklahioma realness!

[@georgegardner5065]

He's from north Texas , sooooo

[@Dahn.Baern.]

And the best part, no chorus for the whole song

[@TXmuseic]

Pure Texas! Son of Larry McMurtry~ Last Picture Show, Lonesome Dov... They made them movies, I had the hardcovers.

[@Okpolosi]

This kind of music takes me back in the day back before electronics, when after hard honest work & home cooked supper, a family would sit out on the front porch, where it was cooler, sun setting, fire flies a dancin' and they'd make their own entertainment with a guitar, harmonica, stompin the floor, maybe shakin a Mason jar with dried beans or even spoons. No electricity needed. Luckily, some families still do and I've been fortunate enough to join in. It is something special to share. Try it.

[@maximumbob2]

Not only could be the best C/W song ever written but the best song ever written period!!

[@jackh7977]

Whoah.... You cannot make the claim of best country western song on anything other than you don't have to call me darling

[@honeymcmurtry1468]

I googled Dennis James McMurtry (my late husband) and I stumbled onto a musical genius singing a portrait of a lifetime in one song. Very impressed! You have a new fan. Keep up the ride.

[@RedDirtRay]

My condolences

[@pv3Hpv3p]

Sorry for your loss... but happy that you stumbled upon some good music. Much love and God bless

[@CeeJayThe13th]

I like your playlist

[@normanbaits777]

James and Ray Hubbard make me relax in a good way.

[@chrisdriver8453]

Norman Michaud me to man

[@captjohn5298]

After the 3rd time listening to it I think it should be our new national anthem. Pretty much delineates the middle class.

[@ernburn3738]

Reading a lot of these comments I found many didn't know about JMcM. Im from Switzerland and found this awesome dude descibe N. Texas and OK, which i very much appreciate..now I don't have visit those two states...😂 Great songwriter and guitar wizard!! ❤

[@Deguello23]

I'm Texan, and to me he covers the place so well, time after time, that he's pretty much the soundtrack for it as far as I'm concerned.

[@Honk21]

Stumbled on this round a year ago. Glad country still country wide, James gets it done.

[@ickledotco]

Ashamed to say I only became aware of this song when I saw Bill Sheffield perform it at Bronte Blues Club last night. Not only did he credit James McMurtry with the authorship; he also stressed how much he admired McMurtry as a songwriter. This song is an epic. A wonderful evocation of working class life almost anywhere.

[@51jss]

Awesome! I have listened to this song many times through the years, if you aren't watching the video you would think there was a 3 piece band playing!

[@steveoh4595]

Tried to miss 'em, but he didn't quite...What a line. Fantastic stupendous real talent...you'll never see him on MTV, but then when was the last time you watched MTV...

[@LuckyDogDave]

It's like a season of Breaking Bad in a eight minute, without any killing.

[@longjonwhite]

At least one death: "Roscoe tried to miss him, but he didn't ,quite..."

[@ElNavaly]

Ha!

[@salyerbrandon]

Correction: Breaking Bad is like Choctaw Bingo in 8 years, with a little more killing. 😉

[@jeffreymartin1765]

Vy i

[@whitetigress7448]

That's right -- gentle and sweet.

[@DfishT]

This is the best talent I've seen in a long time. A lyrical genius! And a insane strummer. Badass Dude!

[@paulelliott3220]

Brilliant song by the best artist of his generation No-one writes them like James Thanks for posting

[@DONToCLICKoHERE]

Chip off the old block

[@smithjs1978]

One of the greatest country songs ever written... Fight me...

[@eastwood203]

He's got an uncommon voice, both literally and figuratively. That's why I like it. What a songwriter.

[@dozeregg]

Raised in Neosho, MO. This is like a song about my weird ass family. Love it!

[@benjaminpbarrett7607]

Ya, South Missouri is a part that "Nation" too. LOL

[@mikejmarvin]

I picked up from Tyson in Noel mo, I needed a translator to understand the people

[@donnascheunemann8117]

First heard him on Out law Country. Saw him in Spokane. Love Him. Very Talented!

[@cccnieh2468]

such a shame he is a libtard

[@mcshawnboy]

@@Redandranger I might not be in tune with the politics, but he ain't said nothing that isn't true! Sometimes we all need a wake up call! Like the fellow the highway was named after with the once upon a time having a, "Big ole McDonald's on that great big old bridge across the Will Rodgers Turnpike." A man of few words, but they all were good!

[@samalbury9183]

@@cccnieh2468 please stop giving me more reasons to like him!

[@toddymac]

Check out his fret-work, absolutely incredible! Best singer-songwriter of our generation, bar-none!

[@kdbadk]

never heard this guy before: he's a true songwriting songplaying songsinging beast, looks like a real one-off, gotta hear more

[@russellrenka7896]

Try Lights of Cheyenne. Or Song for a Deckhand's Daughter.

[@axsys212]

James writes stuff a lot of writers don't have the nads to throw down.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

I'm slightly embarrassed to tell you that I only discovered James' music a few years ago. As a songwriter, he rivals Nelson, Dylan, Young, Cash, Earle, Jackson, and a few others. He plays guitar better than any of them.

[@jeanenedavidson3992]

my thought exactly! Wonder if Dylan could keep the words flowing this well?

[@caverscott]

I concur, his lyrics are second to none

[@anthonymaccherone]

I discovered it on 7/24/2020. Face palm.

[@lisaglines7659]

@@anthonymaccherone Ya beat me. Am I the last to know?

[@philliplewis1586]

@@lisaglines7659 Nope. For the moment I firmly grasp that dishonor. 10/30/21.

[@donniemaxwell1929]

James has always been a pleasure to listen to...

[@paullevine1813]

Seen him a few times when he was on Austin City Limits, Love the tune To Long in the Wasteland , You just can't beat these Martins , I have the chance to play this same model 12 string and if I had the bucks I'd own one. Got some room in there for some nasty slide & I swear if you slowed this down it would sound like Hot Tuna's Killing Time in the Crystal City.. James can kick some ass can he not !!!

[@ignatiusdemonseed]

+paul levine I own and play a whole herd o' Martins, but if I could play like Larry's kid there I wouldn't be workin' for a livin'! McMurtry frikkin roolz. Seen him live more than I can remember, haven't though for quite some time... gonna hafta correct that flaw.

[@TornaitSuperBird]

Being born on bluegrass and country music has made me appreciate this song even more.

[@jimhoover4060]

Are you a Billy Strings fan

[@djnodj]

Very few will know these places personally, but in this musical truth, we can and should all learn to treat each other and ourselves better.

[@cynthialewis690]

Speaks language that rocks the place between my heart/soul.

[@thelaurafreed]

Love this song. Had it on repeat years ago. Now it's relevance in the North East is amazing.

[@timobrien1030]

Such a great performance. He was definitely feeling it that night.... sounds like 3 guitars playing😁

[@gigglewish]

Storyteller supreme, musician supreme, I saw him in Santa Cruz at Don Quixote's in Felton, CA neighboring town. Excellent show, excellent talent, very happy I got to see him, he is played often on KPIG in CA..

[@Gustavodeloslocos]

Great song by a superior bard.

[@anthonymaccherone]

Where the heck have I been? This is totally new and original to me.

[@daveadams269]

Great storyteller. His dad is larry mcmurtry who wrote lonesome dove, other novels.western.

[@noneyayeast]

Thats fucking awesome! I've followed James for 20 years probably but never knew that.

[@nateshaw3938]

Thats awesome, didnt know that. I love lonesome dove, thank you!!

[@stephenandersen4625]

that is some great guitar picking. and the story telling is excellent,

[@musicandmountains916]

The Grateful Dead rabbit hole led me to this guy, thankful for it. See you in San Rafael.

[@kimberlyalberez5187]

Congratulations on Winning Song Writer of the year it's about damn time they recognize

[@finbath]

Just wish they still played real music, like this on the radio ,

[@wrestlingterp1]

Better late than never! A great singer/songwriter/poet/commentator on America. Don't always like what he sings, but he makes you think about it!

[@christiewatson1909]

That song tells a chilling story,I dont know anyone who lives like that,but if I did I would forget em anyway.Good song keeps it real

[@WaylandRustyRoberts]

Who you talking about? Whose asking anyways...

[@kevingordon7898]

]Christie Watson think crytal { pentium processors } clear signaling and actual the mas compressed issued is in the song...go get a expert to explain this shit to you.....see my profile on facebook for proof just left working that area. #pino

[@kevingordon7898]

Dr Wayland Roberts PhD none of your buiness if you must know the DEA. SEE VALDIVIA DTO IN SALLISAW OKLAHOMA ....THATS WHO

[@anthonyfarkas9286]

Yeah maybe they would forget you too

[@wandersonwheels2190]

Not American? Bc everybody knows one, some of us have them for family.

[@davidreinhardt2626]

I myself have been called a "Social Darwinwinist," & Mr. McCurty, son of western author of Lonesome Dove...then he picked up a quitar & users insightful poetry to remains us of things Past, things lost, yet once loved...and as Neil Young says, Rust Never Sleeps,!" So, thank you 🌹 Mr James McMurty for chronicling the lives & culture of a lost, divided & evolving American cuisine!! Where we are going,? Who knows, but "We will Survive!"🌹.. . just can't make it around here anymore. God bless you & yours!! Be kind.

[@jjss2539]

While on a trip to KY I just happened to stop by Knob Creek range in Shepherdsville and pickup an SKS rifle . The very next day I'm driving home to PA & Tidal streams this song. Don't tell me your phones aren't listening to your conversations or reading your text messages! Great story, looking forward to discovering more from James McMurtry.

[@mcriser]

He plays the guitar like the rest of breathe, effortlessly.

[@cSheZillA]

Song is on constant rotation on my playlist

[@bikingmnviking3801]

Jame's guitar skills: R E S P E C T

[@wiscgaloot]

Yeah...I play guitar, but I have NO idea what he's doing there, or even what tuning he is using.

[@Rick-tu2nx]

Every time I watch this, I just think Wow!

[@Trinity61]

True story: it is literally impossible to dislike this song if you grew up in rural North Texas or Southern Oklahoma.

[@noneyayeast]

Hell on Tennseene Bama line eitherd

[@susanparry8735]

I can't stop listening to this guy! Love his stuff

[@marciwata9684]

You are a poet and a skilled musician. Love to you!

[@GWP53]

Never thought id here a song that mentioned berdan primers lol.

[@ignatiusdemonseed]

+MrPOPSZILLA that's one great big old pistol!

[@jerryw6699]

And some surplus tracers for SLaytons old Bar

[@ktel60]

Well, you can't reload Boxer, so...

[@BrianZacharyMusic]

@@ktel60 Got it backwards there champ but I can't blame you it's esoteric shit

[@SuperStrongbow1]

This is just a joy to watch, I do hope you hit UK shores sometime soon, almost desperate to see you perform live.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

A great performance of a great song written by Ray Wylie Hubbard

[@Deguello23]

No, McMurtry wrote it and recorded it, and Hubbard covered it a few years later. He covered it very well, but he didn't write it.

[@austinhudson507]

a longtime favorite... like this recording best of all.

[@charlessmart4798]

great song and everything about it is real.

[@unkljj]

I grew up in western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.....Love this song! Makes me homesick! Great Jam James!

[@DavidPhillips-ul9mw]

This is a killer song me and my band used to cover this song it has to be one of the funnest songs I have ever played and love the various reactions you get from people over all everyone Loves it my hats off to James I haven't got a chance to see James live I am moving to Oklahoma I bought a church and am converting it to a social club featuring live music and would love to have him come chrisin the place that would be awesome and very cool

[@MrUSSAM]

James is one of the best songwriters in the world today inmhao.

[@YerkesDodsonCurve]

Saw James last night in Salt Lake City. Again a KILLER SHOW. This guy is the real deal. And being from Oklahoma originally, I can attest to the mood he paints in this tune.

[@Bflatblues55]

This is amazing.... really lovin the heck out of this!

[@terryschnell1226]

James Mr Murthy is the best singing l saw

[@christinejaniak1549]

Great song that stands the test of time!

[@91Kingscrib84]

Just love this tune. Usually I don't like covers, but fellow Texan Ray Wylie Hubbard does an awesome job of Choctaw too! But none can beat the string-flingin' of James McMurtry!

[@Warmoose76]

God damn, I can't stop watching this video.

[@michaeldingus4901]

Love his sound...... his soul..... !!!!

[@ignatiusdemonseed]

+MrPOPSZILLA Oh hell yeah!

[@scottietimmons3322]

🔥🔥🔥🔥the best version by far .

[@hwy2065]

Never gets old ....

[@ZekeUlrey]

My parents still live in Quapaw, OK. This song is my childhood.

[@lisataylor6135]

I love the sound he gets out of the guitar... off the chain.

[@christineschmidt8494]

Taken up were " LeadBelly " left off ! Love that 12

[@SargentAnus]

Everything about this song is BADASS.

[@sirbanjorochambeaux]

a few extra improv verses... love it... BINGO!

[@lonniesullivn4507]

You're just behind I am 62 been living in Texas all my life been enjoying this artists since I was in jr high one of them Texas boy like Willie and Waylon come off that 6st crowed in Austin

[@donniewhitley8147]

Great instrumentalist, lyrics & hey, I love the song!! Eat your heart out Chet Atkins, even though I believe he would love the acoustic guitar work. Great Job!!

[@lauriefoster1513]

We're gonna have us a time! Ray Wylie introduced me to this but I love the McMurtry version.... Nice guitar work... and great story!

[@DonFarmer-hq5sw]

Master musician telling the story of America 🇺🇸

[@michellewetherson1356]

This is beautiful way to show the gritty underlayer of the usa loving it. Sounds really good.

[@markgelling6736]

Seen him live in Montana!We had us a time!

[@victorscarnati7973]

Good grief! Superb pickin' & performance on 1 wicked tune.

[@jarvisevanbugg]

True inspiration and thanks to you totally for signing my tata's gueetar!!!

[@MichelleBrooksMema]

it doesn't get any better than this ... man --- you are great!

[@jimmajim]

46 dislikes? What exactly did they dislike about it? The guitar playing was too fast? The lyrics were too clever? They work for the Oklahoma Tourism Board?

[@hughdunnit3188]

it's the Methodists ....they don't care for crystal Methodists ...seriously there r always detractors ....They can find fault with Jesus

[@stephenandersen4625]

it's the Baptists. They were insulted at not being invited up front to dance. They wouldn't have done it. but it is nice to be asked.

[@rudderheadpamericano4826]

it's the pr people who work for the 'shine makers.

[@rudderheadpamericano4826]

it's the pr people who work for the 'shine makers. and it's up to 201 right now. they work hard.

[@bwademanning]

Eagles radio

[@marksage309]

I first heard "Choktaw Bingo" from Ray Wylie Hubbard. Great musicians think alike.

[@neilsthepoet]

THAT song is Oklahoma... And balls out!!

[@markmilaccio5613]

Awsome talent ! Quite a nice fella too, drank beer with him once.

[@wandersonwheels2190]

It's the most Oklahoma thing to ever Oklahoma. It's dedicated to The First Crystal Methodist Church of Durant! ahahahahahaha

[@T.Maesel]

Best tune i have heard since Jimnmy

[@DTittle]

I've got the Beer For My Horses soundtrack. This song is one of the reasons I bought it. Damn good music.

[@redshaftedflicker]

Fuck yeah, love McMurtry, a living legend.

[@sjw999sjw]

Dam, I've got to get myself to Austin one of these years - - excellent - thanks for sharing!!

[@colleenblackwater4792]

Just found this man researching some Dylan stuff. WOW!!! Add him to my music . Excellent. Alaska-

[@keymankeys1960]

That is one of my favorite all time songs !!!!!!!!

[@babybr42]

Awesome song!! 1st heard it on the movie Beer For My Horses. Thanks for the look.

[@thuddreau5444]

James McMurtry. PURE BEAUTY Oaklahoma Lake Eufala That is the BEST MUSIC I have heard in some time Be well Jimmie's Father helped us understand some of the real life and history back when work was hard but it made you strong

[@DawnFremy]

I LOVE that song! I'm gettin' to where I can sing along!

[@ThompsonLoM]

my maternal grandparents had a small sandy lot by Lake Eufaula shore. A twister took out their first trailer. We were supposed to be there that night, but my parents canceled b/c weather forecast. Saw the crushed wreck weeks later in the fall. Great memories of Eufaula otherwise. Great song McMurtry.

[@mikejmarvin]

Love this version

[@roarson12]

greatest song you never heard on the radio