‘I Think I’ll Just Sit Here And Drink’ An Appropriate Song For Country Music Singer’s Legacy
I had known of Merle Haggard and his legendary song “Okie From Muskogee” because I am from East Tennessee.
But I never had any real interest in seeing him in concert because I was never much of a country music fan.
When I moved to Los Angeles, however, I did see him, for I was working at a Public Relations agency that represented the Marlboro Country Music Tour, and he was headlining the stop in Oakland.
I had been in sports for my young professional life and Haggard gave me an instant introduction into the life of a touring musician.
About two hours before the show, word got to us that he refused to take the stage unless we sent an absurd amount of alcohol to his room. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but it was something like a dozen cases of beer and a couple dozen cases of Jack Daniels.
Nobody but me batted an eye; this, apparently, was routine among performers of all kinds of music.
When Haggard took the stage, he not only looked haggered, he looked disoriented. He walked aimlessly around the stage as if he were looking for his hotel room key, then he bumped into the microphone stand so hard he nearly knocked it over, and it bounced back and knocked him square on the nose.
Now I was not a teetotaler myself – still am not, proud to say – but I was shocked that he was so obviously wasted. I thought he would do one of two things: stumble off the stage into the crowd or pass out on it.
But then he did something amazing. That bump into the microphone seemed to revive him, and he started singing and put on a fantastic show. The crowd roared song after song.
Haggard had a deep, baritone voice and a country tone that brought my Southern roots out in me. He was so good, quite frankly, that I don’t recall any other musicians being on stage with him. All I remember is him singing and playing his guitar and the cheers of the crowd.
Afterward, I was ready to charge to his dressing room and help him and his guests – which I pictured to include several very attractive girls in cowboy hats and boots – consume some of that beer and Jack.
Alas, the boss would have none of it, so I had to imagine what it was like to party with a country music legend.
Not surprisingly, one if his songs is titled, “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here And Drink.” Now that he’s passed away, it seems like a good thing to do in order to give him a tribute.
So here’s a cheers to ya, Merle!
What kind of beer were they drinking
No idea!