Died On This Date (April 4, 1980) Red Sovine / Popular Country Singer
themusicsover Woodrow “Red” Sovine
July 17, 1917 – April 4, 1980
Red Sovine was an American country singer who was best known for his trucker songs of the ’60s. Thanks to their strong narratives, these tunes resonated not only with truck drivers of the day, but with rockabilly bands and fans, both then and now. Born in Charleston, WV, Sovine eventually settled in Shreveport, LA where he began to get noticed thanks to his appearances on KWKH’s “Louisana Hayride” program. His “Hayride” co-star, Hank Williams helped him land a recording contract with MGM Records. The early ’50s found Sovine working with Webb Pierce, with whom he duetted on his first #1 hit record, a cover of George Jones’ “Why Baby Why.” He continued to perform and record well into the ’70s, but in a twist of irony, Red Sovine, the king of truck driving songs, died of injuries after crashing his van while having a heart attack.
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