Dave Dudley - Six Days On The Road

Dave Dudley (born David Darwin Pedruska, May 3, 1928, Spencer, WI) is the father of truck driving country music. With his 1963 song "Six Days on the Road," he founded a new genre of country music -- a variation of honky tonk and rock-inflected country that concentrated lyrically on the lifestyles of truck drivers. Dudley had a string of Top 15 singles that ran through the '60s, while he continued to have Top 40 hits well into the '70s, establishing himself as one of the most popular singers of his era.
At the age of 11, Dudley's father gave him a guitar, but he had his heart set on being a baseball player. Throughout his teenage years he played ball, becoming a member of the Gainesville Owls as a young adult. However, his career was cut short by an arm injury. Following his retirement from baseball, he became a DJ at a local Texas station, where he would sometimes play along with the songs on the air. The station owner encouraged to become a performer, and Dudley followed the advice.
Dudley moved to Idaho in the early '50s, where he formed the Dave Dudley Trio, which didn't have much success in its seven years together. In 1960, following the breakup of the trio, he moved to Minneapolis, where formed a group called the Country Gentlemen, which quickly built up a dedicated following. His career was thrown off track in December of 1960, when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver as he was packing his guitar into his car. After several months, he was recovered and managed to secure a record deal with Vee Records. His first single, "Maybe I Do," was minor hit in the fall of 1961 and was followed by another minor hit, "Under Cover of the Night," the following year on Jubilee Records.
In the summer of 1963, he had his breakthrough hit, "Six Days on the Road," which was released on Golden Wing. The song became a massive success, peaking at number two on the country charts and making the pop Top 40. That same year, he signed with Mercury Records, releasing his first single for the label, "Last Day in the Mines," by the end of the year. Throughout the '60s, he had a long string of truck driving singles, including "Truck Drivin' Son-of-a-Gun," "Trucker's Prayer," "Anything Leaving Town Today," "There Ain't No Easy Run," and "Two Six Packs Away." By the end of the decade, he was also making conservative, good-old-boy anthems as well.
During the early '70s, he had several hits -- notably the 1971 Top Ten singles "Comin' Down" and "Fly Away Again" -- but by the beginning of the '80s, he was no longer a presence on the charts. His last hit single was 1980's "Rolaids, Doan's Pills and Preparation H." During the '80s and '90s, Dudley didn't record much, but he remained a popular concert draw. And truck drivers still loved him -- the Teamsters Union awarded him an honorary, solid-gold membership card. Dudley died of a heart attack at his Wisconsin home on December 12, 2003.
~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: john1948.wikifo...

[@M231231]

6 million miles was it for me. Self employed 45 years. Guaranteed business forever. Had to let it go.

[@jackdarby618]

Being an old truck driver this is one of my favorite songs of all time loved Dave Dudleys music

[@donquixote...]

I'm an, "older" driver, and not really a C&W kinda guy, but this is a cool song if you follow the lyrics... Funny... 😁

[@brianparsons3283]

A great song

[@aaronking7326]

Dad passed 3 before Christmas...Had an Ole Emeryville..ran that 8 track out..Johnny Cash..

[@leewilliams7443]

Old Truck Driver here and this has always been my favorite Truckin Tune

[@GospelTenor4Christ]

He even had the trucker hair style.

[@americansfirst1095]

He was the real deal.

[@hammertrue3356]

Being a diesel tech I proudly play these old classics so the new driver get a taste of what they were missing

[@Kapa-b9b]

For my -Dad,,Vice Pres. of Rush Enterprises ,,Peter built,,Texas.

[@cecilemoore2007]

I wouldn't' cut this guy off on the highway, he looks and sounds like the epitome of the '60's pissed off trucker.

[@snobear41]

For my dad (RIP) 37 yrs accident free up & down the eastern seaboard from Halifax & Montreal to Richmond VA. A better man has seldom crossed my path in this world

[@cecilemoore2007]

Hard work, cops, fidelity, bad ass old rig, high speed, pills, dodging the scales, this song has it all!

[@tracker1673]

Yeah but he didn't get drunk the day his mom got outta prison!

[@cM-rd3hd]

@@tracker1673 and his momma wasn't run-over by a damned ole train.

[@brianbaxter3970]

Good luck

[@brianbaxter3970]

Yay

[@MessyMurder]

Yeah but his good friend Steve Goodman didn't write that song

[@comediantomryan]

Thanks Dave Dudley for giving us this great song. It's timeless.

[@stevemurray4122]

Ha those little white pills are speed .best trucker song.

[@mxvet37]

Dave Dudley was such an amazing talent. What a voice.

[@GordonFalt]

You know, this film and recording has been one of the most influential things to my musical taste and guitar playing. Kudos Dave! That funky drummer too! Saw it on its first year on KZbin, many moons ago.

[@jeffpeabody4980]

Pop ...this song for you.... I remember all the log books, diners ,scales... loving one woman.. mama... plugging ur truck in at winter cold days..load locks, rest stops... thanks for the memories

[@robkinnaird3796]

This song was one of the old man's favourite R.I.P pop you were the best of the best not a driver running any line could hold a flame to Big Knard

[@jannawithrow4067]

He’s probably one of the best truck driver songwriters and voice in the world I remember my mom would play one of his albums on the old record player that’s when music was real

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@THEONLYETP]

Fell asleep on the couch and this song started in the middle of a dream.

[@frankp4728]

Greatest Trucker song ever.

[@kingofthecarwashes6724]

This song never gets old in a million years.

[@JPVanderbuilt]

A true slice of Americana. LOVE it.

[@atfourothirtythree]

It's his song and he does it best!

[@Jarhead-ez7xh]

Big Dave makes that guitar look like a ukulele !

[@222nightwolf]

This song tells it all about truck driveing ,hard work ,hard living.

[@melwooden2291]

I just love this song because it brings back memorys of my Dad. He drove a BIG TRUCK WITH A TRAILER THAT HE CALLED THE PUP TRAILER . HE HAD A COINTRY WESTERN BAND ANF HE WAD AN EXCELLENT STORY TELLER ABOUT HIS LIFE GROWING UP ON A RANCH IN WYOMING..HIS BEAR STORYS WERE MY FAVORITE.

[@blueshorecreative3146]

Great song from my childhood. My Dad loved this song.

[@TralfazConstruction]

Paints a vivid picture, doesn't he?

[@DWK-ln9rm]

The truck in this I always imagined was Diamond T 931 with the Auto car cab,with Iron lung 275 Cummins under the hood

[@Gaspipenicklioni]

Rollin coal!

[@tinman8518]

Love, love, love this man's voice!! Great song.

[@MrCreed89]

1:23 wink is classic

[@agramsci]

Pure. Freaking. Gold.

[@cwojomusic556]

Am I the only one who remembers this song performed at the Rolling Stones Altamont Concert 1969? 2nd largest gathering in history at the time?

[@phillipschultz7869]

Yeah, Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers played. The Angels loved it and were mellow. Later, the pool cues came out.

[@renegadedouglas8927]

You gotta love this. When music was good.

[@zigymac]

6 times i played this song to night !!!!!!!!!

[@eduardomassey9768]

i'm from Argentina so all that places are so far for me, but this guy makeme fiel like if i wassap borned there, live for ever dave dudley and thanks

[@jackpardun2898]

Lol no he died of a heart attack Ina bar parking lot near my house

[@eduardomassey9768]

@@jackpardun2898 hello Jack, i know he died many years ago but just in a fisic way, thats wy live for ever. God bless US'south whit his aaaaall music. Youu're very Lucky for been there my friend, my regards to you from Argentina 👍

[@tcm6756]

@@eduardomassey9768 I got what you meant Eduardo. Very beautifully put, amigo.

[@kenjedlicki6870]

63 won't give up till I tip over I really love what I do Old school Cool New doesn't hold a candle to it

[@bigrig569]

When ever I'd drive back from Mississippi back home to S.D. This song was playing in my head.true fN country song

[@MrCreed89]

This gentleman seems like he could out drink me.

[@davidhaun7767]

Crying, back in the day! Ask the youngsters, a Jimmy and a white. Never mind an A car, Hendrickson, Marmon or Diamond car!

[@zachherzog7323]

This is some real American music.

[@mikegrehl5546]

i REMEMBER THAT SONG LIKE YESTERDAY IT WAS A BIG HIT AND GREAT AMONGEST TRUCKERS AND GOOD OLD COUNTRY MUSIC LOVERS OF COURSE i WAS JUST A CHILD WHEN THIS CAME OUT .loL. \

[@cecilemoore2007]

Greasy truck stop food, lots of black coffee and cigarettes, mile after endless mile, black smoke, those were the days. I can almost smell the diesel!

[@snobear41]

always play this on my dads' Bday (RIP) 37 yrs accident free up & down eastern seaboard

[@christopherreed2694]

That's a country star dam 😳

[@countryhoney28]

"Never believe it's right" Great line...

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@nigel900]

“I could never make believe it’s all-right…”

[@FreePercussion]

So much swagger

[@patriciajrs46]

Former trucker here. Love these songs. Love Dave Dudley!!

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@kevinvillalobos8616]

Hell yea

[@kingporter67]

This is a super awesome country music song, R.I.P. Dave Dudley, a great truck driving country singer!!

[@phillipschultz7869]

When the Flying Burrito Brothers played this at Altamont, it mellowed the Angels out and everything was fine. Check out the footage.

[@jerrybrewer3758]

FOR HOMER HINES DRUCK DRIVER IN HEAVEN !!!

[@hopesnopes]

Thanks SO much for posting this dynamite version! The eye rolls are great. I was 12 when this came out, I've always loved it.

[@Dianne-em7cq]

My Dad and Mum loved this.Happy times.

[@naturundhund]

Greetings from Germany Peter Nice Musik

[@MikeBlitzMag]

An anthem if there ever was one. Absolute, utter perfection.

[@matthewwhitaker8283]

Just heard this for the first time tonight. Love this!

[@Wally2Feathers]

This song is so true...

[@zigymac]

6 times i played this song tonight !!!!!!

[@howardstern666]

Man, that version cooked! Esp when that steel guitar kicked in.

[@bunnybitch7516]

Great version loved it!

[@ivantabov3316]

Как може да има хора, които да не харесват този невероятен шедьовър ????!?

[@radiorob7543]

Не знам.

[@andylindstrom5810]

One if my faves

[@megateriollamas183]

Great live Dave Dudley clip. Thanks for posting it.

[@tbamagic]

I can hear that scream'n Jimmie now..loud and clear, a symphony of sound and power...

[@darcycampbell2000]

Absolutely legendary

[@kidnamedgabe490]

This song was used in movie joy ride 3

[@Frankiarmz]

Great song and great voice!

[@manoelluizteixeira8073]

A melhor interpretação do tema, sem duvida alguma, voz de peso, tronituante, ele é demais, bom demais. maneco - Porto Alegre-RS - Brasil.

[@stephenroman9015]

I'm not much of a dancer but this song makes me want to get up and dance

[@tmnl8037]

Great singer.

[@carolyngracepalmer2647]

he rocks us from heaven with all the other greats

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@papawoody9597]

I listened to this song in my Chevy Luv. It's now a Transtar 4070a.

[@timbour9216]

This is a great song ❤️

[@jerrybrewer3758]

Love it !!!

[@bobmalack481]

Good baritone delivery, l tryed it at Karaoke, but l'm more a tenor. l had that same 'oomph', essence and punch delivery though..LOL!! Robert at 69 retired in Az. via California then Virginia.

[@americansfirst1095]

Great tunes!

[@americansfirst1095]

When truckers were truckin' !

[@phspalace1021]

A wonderful song, its timeless.

[@dean-gm1lg]

Brilliant loved this song when I was a kid

[@nathanwanner..44]

Very good tune love it

[@ballofwax9yards]

Excellent lyrics

[@MelissaPeck-in9tq]

good country song.

[@patriciajrs46]

Nowdays we have Junior Brown.

[@Vagni-Daniele]

❤

[@kokolanza7543]

Thanks for the info on Dave Dudley! Also tnx for the short on remixing the video. Suave! I have loved music for many years, and this song has been on the a-team since back in the day.

[@JohnnyHawkins-mt9rc]

Got a taste of Old school trucking and it's a good thing that they outlawed Speed also known as the little white 💊 pills that keep you up !

[@ronvosick8253]

Dave looks like Jimmy Hoffa.

[@Madcracka]

I'm assuming this is the original I never heard it before. I like it better.

[@michaelmckenzie5232]

Junior Brown needs to te do this

[@brianwillson2212]

I like Sawyer Browns version. This is good though.

[@veekatore8983]

He looks like one of my Dad's friends that would come over and have a beer or two while at a BBQ or just hanging out. The kind that would be so cool to you but slap your head if you got out of line..A real class act..This is what I remember country being. Not this crap aka country of today along with insufferable attitudes

[@kingofthecarwashes6724]

Producer: Dave dudley can you sing this song six days on the road? Dave dudley: Yeah sure. After the original recording: Nailed it it's gone viral. Me: Best song ever!

[@fkungdahl]

2021

[@jonnybon101]

wish i knew how to get that lead guitar sound

[@scottanderson3285]

that "percolator" sound was perfected by a guitarist named Jimmy Colvard who did the studio versions of all Dudley's early recordings. This guy here is Richard Bass, and to me it is a poor imitation of the Colvard sound. Jimmy was much cleaner and clearer.... But i agree, it was a one of a kind patented sound.

[@its_hammer_time3694]

Now there’s some bald eagles right there

[@BunnySconce]

Better than George Jones' version.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Dudley's version is tops, Taj Mahal's version blows the roof off the joint.

[@steveasche4283]

Certainly, Junior Brown has done a cover of this song.

[@DorfOnCrack]

This was playing on the radio this morning while I was killing Boston Dynamic parkour robots with sick Gun Kata moves for that sweet sweet chip bounty.

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@nigel900]

You couldn’t recreate this in Depraved, Woke Nashville if you took all its “talent”, mashed it into a greasy ball, and poured a billion dollars over it…

[@annebradshaw8525]

Dave dudley is buried in danbury wi

[@jameslawson7336]

How are you doing today?

[@bracsim]

Good old days, trucking is not the same today, too much government control almost communist style.

[@DoubleGauss]

Would have been perfect if he were wearing a red Make America Great Again hat.

[@ClayLoomis1958]

Yeah, those MAGA types are popping a lot of those little white pills. Only drug addicts could follow that idiot.

[@maryspencer4975]

@@buddy6954 Thank you!

[@tomlehr861]

Wonder if he drinks whisky

[@Rareed63]

more like 6 weeks on the road