"Choctaw Bingo" is a song by James McMurtry that tells the story of a wild family reunion in Oklahoma. The song starts with the singer suggesting that the children should be given a little bit of vodka and a cherry coke to get them ready for the festivities. The family is gathering at Uncle Slaton's place, who is getting on in years and no longer travels, but he's still pretty spry. The family is coming from all over, including Kansas and West Arkansas, and the party promises to be big and rowdy. Uncle Slaton is portrayed as a proud Texan, and he has an Asian bride who lives with him in the thickets. He's also got an airstream trailer that's hooked up to solar panels, and the party is taking place under the glow of these panels. The singer describes various family members and their antics, including a cousin who's been in prison, an aunt who's in a wheelchair, and a cousin who's a drug dealer. The centerpiece of the family reunion is the titular Choctaw bingo game, which the singer describes in great detail. The game involves a wooden ball being rolled around a spinning cage, and the players betting on which number it will land on. There are also side bets placed on things like the weather and the stock market. The song is a raucous celebration of family, tradition, and the wild moments that can happen when all of your eccentric relatives come together in one place. It's a snapshot of a particular place and time, and it captures the energy and spirit of a unique family reunion.
