Remember “Tulsa Trot” by Tex Williams and his top-notch western swing ensemble? Zero to 180 just discovered that ol’ Tex had a #30 country hit in 1965 with a trucker tune that was penned by Kenny (‘Round Mound of Sound’) Price and released on Kentucky indie label, Boone:
“Big Tennessee” Tex Williams 1965
In appreciation for the commercial success of its previous release “Too Many Tigers” (#26), Boone Records would place an announcement in the September 4, 1965 edition of Billboard that heralded the arrival of its next hot single – “Big Tennessee” – while still riding the adrenaline of a Top 40 country hit:
“Boone Booms! We would like to thank you for one Hit and introduce you to another – ‘Big Tennessee’ c/w ‘My Last Two Tens’ – picked in all three trades:
Billboard Spotlight: ‘A definite top-of-the-chart contender is this hot rhythm follow-up to his recent hit, “Too Many Tigers.” Rich plaintive Williams vocal can’t miss.’
Single Reviews: ‘Tale of a powerful trucker and his heroic last deed. Will thrill country listeners. A good ‘un.’
The Cashbox Bullseye: ‘Following up his recent “Too Many Tigers” success, Tex Williams should have a real biggie with this twin-market powerhouse called “Big Tennessee.” The tune is a barrelin’, stormin’ single-talkie saga about a big truck-drivin’ man who gave up his life in a heroic gesture.’
Featuring the inimitable styling of Tex Williams. This record is pop! This record is country! This record is a hit!
Great sales action. There’s a Boone Record distributor in your area. Contact them today. Boone Record Co. U.S. Route 42, Union, Ky.”
1965: Truck Driving County’s Crowning Year?
1968 was a particularly powerful year for diesel-driving music, as previously discussed, but 1965 – Zero to 180 researchers are discovering – shows the first flowering of the genre resulting from the runaway (trucker term, get it?) success of Dave Dudley‘s Top 40 hit, “Six Days on the Road“:
— “A Tombstone Every Mile” Dick Curless [Allagash/Tower]
— “Girl on the Billboard” Del Reeves [United Artists]
— “I’m the Girl on the Billboard” Joyce Paul [United Artists]
— “White Lightnin’ Express” Roy Drusky [Mercury]
— “Speed Traps, Weigh Stations & Detour Signs” Dave Dudley [Mercury]
— “Truck Drivin’ Son of a Gun” Dave Dudley [Mercury]
— “Giddyup Go” Red Sovine [Starday]
— “Ridin’ Down ol’ 99” Joe & Rose Lee Maphis [Starday]
— “Give Me Forty Acres” The Willis Brothers [Starday]
— “When I Come Driving Through” The Willis Brothers [Starday]
— “That’s Truck Drivin’” Slim Jacobs [Starday]
— “Long White Line” Charlie Moore & Bill Napier [King]
— “Rollin’ on Rubber Wheels” The Stanley Brothers [King]
— “Truck Driving Buddy” Hank England [Process]