Which for such a small state has a strong musical pantheon.
Start of course with Woody Guthrie.
Then consider that Lee Hazlewood was an Okie too. Who? You know, the "these boots were made for walkin'" guy. His music was covered by Rowland S. Howard, Vanilla Fudge, Lydia Lunch, Primal Scream, Einstürzende Neubauten, Nick Cave, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Beck, The Tubes, Thin White Rope and Slowdive.
How 'bout if we hop over to Hoyt Axton next. Yep, he was an Okie. Wrote songs that were hits for Three dog night and Steppenwolf. "Jeremiah was a
Heck, Wallis Willis, who wrote "swing low sweet chariot" was an Okie.
Not impressed yet? OK, let's kick it up a notch
Jimmy Webb? Okie! You know, the "by the time i get to Phoenix" guy. His songs were covered by
Glen Campbell, The 5th Dimension, Thelma Houston, The Supremes, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, America, Linda Ronstadt, R.E.M., Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand, and Carly Simon among others.
Then there is the great Leon Russell. I love this guy.
St. Vincent (Annie Clark) is an Okie. I just assumed she was (gasp) Canadian!
So is Dwight Tilley!
Was disappointed to find out that Wayne Coyne, the frontman of the amazing Oklahoma band Flaming lips was born in Pittsburgh! We'll still count him as an honorary Okie though (just like me).
And people I'm not even getting into the slew of modern country "artists" from here (Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, et. al).
That is a very strong line up.