Dave Dudley was born, Darwin David Pedruska, on May 3, 1928 in Spencer, Wisconsin, but grew up in Stevens Point. His father presented him with a guitar when he was 11 years old.

Like many country artists, including yours truly, Dave wanted to be a professional baseball player, but an early injury, a torn muscle in his pitching arm, playing for the Gainsville Owls, led to a musical career. While convalescing he landed a job with WTMT in Wausau, Wisconsin, hosting “The Texas Stranger Show.”

After bouncing around the country doing DJ work and singing with “The Dave Dudley Trio,” which he formed in Idaho, he settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1960. Here he went to work for KEVE, but was sidelined for several months with a serious injury when he was struck down by a hit-and-run driver.

After a few record releases, in the summer of 1963, Dave had his first major hit with “Six Days On The Road,” which peaked at number two on the country charts, making the Pop Top 40 as well. On the strength of that success, Mercury Records signed Dave and he recorded “Last Day In The Mines.” He followed these with a long string of truck driving singles, such as “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 60s, Dave was well established, not only with truck drivers of the world, but also with the entire country music community.

Dave Dudley suffered a massive heart attack December 22, 2003, and passed away at the age of 75 in his hometown of Danbury, Wisconsin.

Dusty Owens

TCM Radio News

Sources include: Virtual Truck Route