My dad texts: "Amen. I met him in '76; his bodyguard told me and my swing band that Okie was written as a joke, they we're all high on weed riding the tour bus passed Muskogee."
R.I.P. Merle, i liked his songs and the soul he put into them.
My dad liked him too, that's when Country was Country music, not like the crap i can't stand now that passes off for it.
Grew up as a boy with Dad listening to Merle Kris Waylon and the Possum. Great group to start me on country music. Im sure they're all sharing a drink or 2.