I’m not sure I understand the difference between a “country boy” and a “redneck”, but I do know that I should have realized one or the other was going to be a big part of my life when my “soon to be” family comes driving down from Georgia (decades ago) for our wedding in central Florida, (the hottest place in the world) pulling a camper, and park it smack dab next to the future grandparent in law’s Airstream in a treeless RV park, for a week long summer vacation slash OUR WEDDING WEEKEND! Yea, I should have known! Jeff Foxworthy’s entire comedic routine is based on the concept…”You might be a redneck”… IF you did what the ENTIRE Gaines’ family did at MY BIG FAT REDNECK WEDDING!
I think it was the fall of 1972, on a chilly colorful day, I got the clarification. We were traveling towards the Smokey Mountains, in his 1968 Volkswagon Karmann Ghia… 8 track cassette full on. It was one of my first dates with my new “country boy” boyfriend, and Merle Haggard was singing Okie from Muscogee…not only did this “redneck” know ALL of the lyrics, but he knew every song Merle ever wrote! I was slapping my thigh, and we were as happy and pleased as we could be. But as you know…. “Momma tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied, I have only me to blame, cause Momma tried”!
“Country folks” are so proud of themselves for getting out of prison, paychecks, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. They love mean step fathers and mean dogs, mobile homes and hoarded porches, baby daddy’s and their Momma’s. All ya need is your church family, a few funerals, couple of cousins, and a divorce or two… the vitality to life. Nothing like it…I mean nuttin!
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health….and for the love of George Jones, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard until death do us part… Gary did! My husbands love for north Ga., country folks and rednecks, hiking, fishing,camping, ALL pale in comparisons to his love for music and Merle. Merle Haggard was born April 6th, and died, 79 years later on April 6th. A day to be memorialized. ( Side note… our Grandson, Whit, also born April 6th… will now ring in the mind of Hooch, forever) He received condolences from his colleagues….and I was so afraid he would be” on the liquor”, as they say, for days.
“We need to have music that contributes to the well-being of the spirit. Music that cradles people’s lives and makes things a little easier. That’s what I try to do, and what I want to do. You don’t want to close the door on hope.”
by Merle Haggard
“Country music is the perfect “blog” for drinking, loving, cheating, or crying and I ain’t lyin!”
by Tracy Gaines…a fan
I’m in!
Tracy,
I love your blogs! I grew up listening to country music..but must admit it took many years before I learned to like it. Now like you, I’m a fan.
Thanks Sharon! Gary has a unique taste in music and most of the time I like it, which is a good thing because he still buys cd’s like a teenager and he says, “listening to this” like I have a choice. HAHA!
So happy you are reading my blog!
If you grew up in North Georgia, you usually got a good mix of Country and Black Soul music. That is
what makes us such interesting folks! Merle was one of my favorites too!
Everyone remembers their first concert like their first kiss. Mine was the Beach Boys! I wore a “Church” dress, panty hose and heels…EVERY girl there had on a halter top and bell bottoms. I was embarrassed and miserable! I moved to Ga and attended more blue grass concerts than anyone should have to attend, but at least I knew the dress code! Great times listening to Merle and all the other wonderful talent Gary “taught” me to appreciate! Much better than the BEACH BOYS for SURE!!!!
Great comments Tracy! I was raised in Oklahoma where we were proud of Merle’s song Okie from Muscogee and thought it was our state song moved to the South and realized he was as popular here in GA as in OK! Definitely one of the greats!
Hi Lona,
I think George Jones and Tammy lived in my home town, Lakeland, but I did not become a fan of country music until I surrounded myself around these Gainesville boys. Gary still goes to concerts with Tread like a college kid and they trade cd’s like baseball cards! Love it, and it keeps them young (at heart at least)!
Fun read! Tell Gary how sorry I am for his loss. He was a longtime and loyal fan and can take consolation in that. I knew of Merle, but never really appreciated him until I attended one…maybe two..of his concerts with you guys. Thanks for that! P.S. Nice how you called out the In-laws for being rednecks. 😂😂 An Airstream isn’t redneck? And did “you” just say “slap dab”. Be careful of the company you keep…
You know you are going to a country music concerts when you find yourself traveling down “Jot em down” road! GREAT times!
Camping in an Airstream is five star!
All is good with this city mouse and country mouse!
Love your comments!
I don’t care if it is 5 star…IT”S A CAMPER! Yes concerts at Lanierland….one time I wore my gold lame shirt and jeans
matched the star of the show…and my hair was as big too!!
Loved Merle…I laughed out loud reading about your wedding. I loved Merle too and have fond memories of those songs too. My favorite being, ‘My Favorite Memory….’
A lot of good stories about our wedding and the Georgia boys that were IN it! We were young so they got away with a lot of bad behavior! I don’t know anyone that is a bigger fan of Merle Haggard than Gary and I’m glad because he did have write some incredible songs! (and I had to hear them all!)
Loved reading this! I never knew the story about Gary’s parents camper at your wedding!! Too funny! Your wedding sure was fun though! Love you!
Melissa, We were “hiding” our family in the the RV park…JK…HAHA! At he rehearsal my Dad did give them a hard time about being “rednecks” and said to let the kids ride in the front of their pick up trucks! He was a hit! It was fun and hard to believe it was almost 40 years ago…and I’ve had to listen to country music for 40 years!
OMG!
Tracy..that was awesome! You have a special knack or telling stories and I LOVE reading them all especially one of my favs Merle…I am a Texas girl you know and I grew up listening to all of his music..keep em coming xoxoox
Hi there Texas girl…So are you a “country” girl in the burbs? So glad you are a fan of Merle and ME! HaHa! Thanks for reading and saying these nice things about my blog. I love writing them!
I am truly a Southern woman raised in a rural tobacco farming community.i neither knew the difference between redneck and country people. I did know that I was not a redneck but I grew up in the country. My youngest son,Courtney,father of my grandson Whit,will explain to you the difference between rednecks and ” cuntree folk” to you. He was the first to explain it to me not many years ago.
I really enjoyed this blog. God bless them good ole cuntree boys that make good music.and guys like Gary who buy his records.
Hi Gilda,
Can’t wait to hear Courtney and Whit’s version of a redneck! Hooch is a proud country granddad through and through and has a talent for finding great artist to listen to. Our boys are named after some of the best…Graham Nash and Neil Young!
Glad you liked this one! Gary sure did!
Tracy! You have found your calling. Love love reading your blogs. Tell Gary I am sorry for his loss. What a great legend we lost. Merle was one of my favorite. Boy, could I relate to a lot of his words. Thank you for making me laugh… As I had never heard the campers for the wedding. Great times in our Georgia mountains and many wonderful memories. Miss seeing you!
Irene… I Love love you reading them!! I’m taking another class in a few weeks! I LOVE writing but still looking around for my calling!
So many memory lanes we have traveled together! (If I could just remember them all:)
Who couldn’t love Merle’s music…he had the true gift of writing.
Thank you. Hope to see you very soon! I miss seeing you too!
the gift of writing. I hope to see you soon!
I love this. I do remember so well my first few months in Gainesville just getting in the groove of Brenau when out of the blue, I met a few people from Gainesviille, one being Gary And a few others that took me to the first bluegrass festival in my life. And was introduced to Merle Haggard. And the story goes on from there!!!!!! Love you both!!!!
Frank wants to know if Gary’s love for Merle has anything to do with it being his Mama’s name? I NEVER even thought of that:) FB always considers ALL the possibilities;)
Tell Frank, I have always thought the same thing. HAHA!