Dave Dudley Truck Drivin' Son-Of-A-Gun (CD)

Dave Dudley

What We're Fighting For

Dave Dudley

With the exception of two songs that crossed over to the Pop Chart, Dave Dudley's entire output of over 40 hits was on the Country Chart. Born David Darwin Pedruska in Spencer, Wisconsin on May 3, 1928, he turned to country music after an arm injury ended his semi-pro baseball career. Originally a DJ, he began recording for King Records in 1955. A couple of medium-size hits preceded his breakout single, Six Days On The Road. The song not only charted for 21 weeks, peaking at #2, it also established Dudley as the pioneer of truck-driving songs. Eight more of his records made the Top 10 in the '60s and '70s, including the #1 hit, The Pool Shark.

At just about the time that Barry McGuire's Eve Of Destruction was falling off the charts, Dudley released What We're Fighting For. This unabashedly patriotic song, with lyrics by Tom T. Hall, made clear that even if one opposed war it was essential to defend America's interests. "There's not a soldier in this foreign land who likes this war," but "another flag must never fly above our nation's door."

Dudley's next single was Viet Nam Blues [the Kris Kristofferson-penned song], another track from his Mercury LP, 'There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere.' The album also included Hello Vietnam and several World War II remakes such as At Mail Call Today and Soldier's Last Letter. He died of a heart attack on December 22, 2003.

Various - History Next Stop Is Vietnam 1961-2008 (13-CD)
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