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Truck Driver Songs: Del Reeves “Highway 40”

Published:

Once again we help you clock the miles with a musical journey back in time with Truck Driver Songs. This is where we love to show you historical music that sings your praises for everything that you do for the American economy.

This week, it’s another classic country ballad from the legendary Del Reeves.

Del Reeves struggled to create his musical identity in Nashville in the 1950s – a time when the radio waves began to explode with new talent that crossed genre lines, with legends like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. Their influence cultivated by media giants in the Grande Ole Opry tradition and emerging recording studios like Sun and Capitol.

Reeves found some success and identity creating road songs for the expanding truck driving industry, yet continued to suffer from the label of “novelty act” until his exit from music.

In 1979, Reeves left his musical career to pursue a career as a music executive and played a big role in the signing of Billy Ray Cyrus. He continued to record in the 1980s, just not as much and for smaller labels.

Reeves joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1966, where he continued to perform until his final years.

Here’s one of his most famous singles. Enjoy, truck drivers!

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