Copperhead Road: Appalachia's Road Behind the Song
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
- In this episode I travel to explore THE Copperhead Road in East Tennessee!
Steve Earle made this road famous with his 1988 song Copperhead Road. Join me as I head into Johnson County Tennessee to see the road behind the song!
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#Appalachia #CopperheadRoad #SteveEarle
Song Playlist:
Locomotive by Hunter Quinn
Gravel & Stone by Northside
Rose in the Garden by Cody Francis - Zábava
Let us know in the comments where we should explore next!
The hatfields cemetery Sarah Ann, WV, Logan Co. WV would be awesome to see up close.
🚖 Volunteer Speedway ~ Bulls Gap TN. 🏁
You need to check out Harrisville WV. It's a great little area and home to a very special place, Berdines 5 & Dime. It's the oldest continuously operating 5 & Dime in the country. If Karen is there tell her someone from the Maze family sent you!
Heber Springs, Arkansas
Burnsville NC. Lots of rich history here
My Grandfather told me that back in the 1930s, he would make an occasional trip from McDowell County wv. to the Johnson City Tennessee surrounding area for a moonshine run.
The moonshiner would load his trunk and check the leaf springs to see if the car was setting level as he loaded the trunk.
Moonshiner stopped loading and said thats it, no more.
Grandad said he had money to buy more, and wanted the trunk loaded up.
Moonshiner said, you will get caught, because the LEOs were trained to watch for low riding vehicles, that tells them you are hauling something in the trunk, and they will pull you over.
Have to slip through the Blockade.
Grandad said he and his buddy that went with him made it back, unloaded the moonshine in his garage, and went to work.
Came home from work that evening, found his buddy passed out in the garage, next to the cases of moonshine.
Grandad checked the moonshine to see if any of the quart sized mason canning jars were empty, all of the jars were filled with moonshine.
He asked his buddy how he got drunk, he said he took one sip out of each mason jar, then put the lid back on each jar and put them all back in the case.
But he passed out before he could get out of the garage.
That's an awesome story, thanks for sharing!
WOW! what a story!!! thanks for sharing that
What a great story should be made into short movie I Love the back roads I was blessed to go there as a child and a grown. I myself Born in Tulsa OKLA. My family is from all these beautiful states I Love that my Blood is of them and through God I get to know them Amen Thank you God Bless you Jesus amen. and Yes, Thanks again for sharing.
I live in Johnson City. Born and raised. Traveled extensively in early years. Now 75 and life is good. Dad born in Buladean N.C.
Great story of real life but I feel bad for his friend….got to know when to say when 🤣
I’ve rode my motorcycles up in the Johnson City area …man what a lovely peace of Gods green earth and friendly folks
I also have enjoyed some of that areas shine ….as Tony the Tiger says …Great 😵💫
Making moonshine was not all about drinking it...back in the day, that was the only Antiseptic poor folks had. It was also used in place of chloroform as an anesthetic.
And selling it gave folks money to get the things they could not make.
My grandfather was a miner and also made moonshine. Once, at about age 5, saw a mason jar of clear liquid sitting on the table, it was a hot dusty WV day, so I grabbed it and took a mighty slug…then choked, cried, gagged, and vomited up what I’d eaten that year…my dad pitched a huge bitch, loved me up, and went to find me a Coke, as the men all said there was no reason to tell mommy, then got a pocket full of coins for the store. Years later, in Cleveland, my uncle had a still in the basement, God help anyone that threw a glass jar away. Pot plants grew between the tomato plants…wild times, back in the mid ‘90’s….
I'm from from Saudi Arabia and I have no idea why I'm binge watching all these videos. remind me of the good days when I lived in Kansas, beautiful scenery.
As a Canadian I am drawn to this area from past military service. I'm going there summer 2023. My motorcycle journeys are alive and I thank you for sharing.
I proudly live in Appalachia and enjoy the work you are doing.
Love hearing that! 😊
I live in Johnson County, welcome. It’s actually copperhead hollow, or holler as we say
Loved seeing the beautiful landscape. I'm from the south eastern Ohio Valley on the river nearby to Wayne National Forest. Most people think of Ohio as large cities and boring flat farmland which is the exact opposite of how I know it. I mean I have a cave and waterfall in my backyard. Southern Ohio is in the Holler Land of Appalachia and looks exactly like east Tennessee. It has a lot of tourism related to its recreation and beauty. My brother actually fell from the 50 foot cliff of Old Mans Cave and survived, while others tragically had not. I really do feel like a roughneck driving over and in between those rolling hills and losing all contact with society after living in Michigan and Indiana for most of my 20's lol. I've met people from both those states who regularly vacation in southern Ohio. I remember going to Columbus seemed like such a huge trip to me back when. There is so much history there, they made a 2019 movie called Dark Waters about the DuPont C8 poisoning I also experienced for over 20 years, they gave me $400 when I was 14 to give them blood and I may or may not get a settlement. It is also featured in the popular video game called Fallout 76. And of course is next to Point Pleasant which is home of the Mothman and famous for the Silver Bridge disaster, that also has a movie called the Mothman Prophecy, which is across the river from where I was born. The title of this video reminded me of how I'll never forget when I was a kid I almost stepped on a copperhead during a walk!
Hey HannaH I'm a proud Meigs countian, I know exactly what you're talking about.
That's right, I'm not far north from you. Maybe an hr.
I’m 20 minutes from Wayne national forrest I know exactly what you’re talking about I’ve definitely had enough with copperheads
So much green compared to the outback Australia I'm from.
For sure! I feel like when people sum up Ohio they always forget about that southeastern part of the state! I live in VA and once a year drive up 77 to Youngstown to see my grandparents. I love crossing the Ohio river into Marietta and seeing the mountains slowly shrink into farmland. Ohio definitely has its share of valleys and hills, and is for sure in the Appalachians
Copperhead Road is in my top 3 favorite songs
Beautiful part of the country.
No signage, no clutter, and almost no overhead wires.
The moonshine narrative is fascinating. All that's missing is Robert Mitchum.
Just told your age there.i forget the name of that moonshine movie he plays in but you are no teenager bub
@@howlinwulf wasn't it called thunder road?
One of the best song
As someone living in this incredibly tiny town, this was so awesome to see. Thank you!
You're very welcome! 😊
Don't ya wanna move to the outer banks? 😁 you are absolutely beautiful, girl!!
@@NotOnDrugs right where I need to be at the moment!
Same here. Moved to a tiny town in the mountains of SW Virginia and love it.
I was up around carter county and was talking to a guy from mtn city. All i heard him talking about was cooking meth. Called it kitchen crank!!!!
I have friends living on this road. The area is. Changing fast
Good ole Mountain City. Miss the place
In 1984, while setting Gypsy Moth traps and coming over Big Dry Run Mountain towards Copperhead (Hollow) Road, I stumbled upon a busted up still. Remnants of a former time.
Lived on Copperhead Rd two years ago had 30 acres and loved the land, the people, and Steve Earle’s song
Hey man how close is that to Williamson West Virginia that Copperhead Road
@@JamesJohnson-gw1yi it’s 3-1/2hrs south of Williamson. I looked it up on Google Maps
✝️👍🏻 Here from East Tennessee 🇺🇸
Thanks for the nice trip. It seems beautiful, down there, in copperhead hollow road. Who knows, maybe someday I will pay a visit to Appalachia, right down from my little Italian village.
Canada Girl here. Love it & thank you. I sub'd 🤗💕
You need to come to Dickenson County VA, Russell Co. We need to tell about minning and the Pittston strike. You need to talk to Cecil Roberts and UMWA members. The office is in Castlewood, VA. UMWA main office.
You should explore Oak Ridge, TN. It didn't exist until the second world war when it was selected as one of the secret sites that were working on the atomic bomb. There were three sites with the designations K-25, Y-12 and X-10 and temporary housing for the workers including dormitories, flat top prefab housing and other temporary configurations that, surprisingly, are still standing and being lived in today. There are a few museums that document much of what went on here, and two of the sites still exist and are operational. After that you should check out Oliver Springs, TN. There were mineral springs that many famous people came to bathe in the healing waters. There is a lot of history that is attached to that.
Heck ya that was a nice ride along ,thank you and big hugs from MN
Went to trade school and worked at Highland Rim Equipment but the pay was poor and went north to make more but have been back and the changes are astounding. That looked like it barely changed in 50 years.
Hello I’m actual from the mouth of Copperhead rd, love the video my family has lived on Dry Run since the 1800s
Awesome! Thanks for watching & commenting!!
The mountain roots go back to before the Revolutionary war.
Funny tidbit about the Appalachia Mountains. It's thought that they were originally part of Scotland and Ireland when our land mass was one big chunk. Funny that so many of those Scots and Irish who were kicked out, displaced, fled, or were otherwise asked to leave, ended up occupying that same batch of ground anyway, just on the other side of the mud puddle.
It is interesting to ponder 🤔
Wow. Mountain city Tennessee. Use to drive thur there going to Boone NC..in the 80s. Different time then..
Instantly subscribed for the simple fact that you pronounced Appalachia correctly.
Sincerely,
A hillbilly from Nantahala
It's been said that if you say Appa-lay-cha, I'll throw an apple atcha.
Great video.THANKS FOR SHARING.Tennessee girl
I think man on bike was like What Are You Doing Down Here You're Not Familiar!!!! He got right up next to your car pushing you over to see who it was. 👀 Great Video! 👍🏻
He's been commenting here on the video, we're cool 😉
This song pops into my head every time I hear about 87k new irs agents....lol
I live in Johnson County Tennessee. This road is approximately 5 miles from where I live
Beautiful country!
What's the name of the rd now since they changed it? I'm curious to see where it is on a map since I'll never be able to see it in person.
I’m glad that they got it right in this video. The lyrics are “Now daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge” not “big black Dodge”
😉
that was cool, thank you
I really enjoy your videos. I'm a Melungeon from southwest Virginia in Lee county. I haven't lived in Appalachia since childhood but I have been trying to get back there. I even have my wife from Buffalo NY convinced to go back to Pennington Gap.
Beautiful country there!!
Would have been nice to hear Steve Earle Copperhead Road in the back ground as you ride along Copperhead Road. Thanks for the video & history.
Would love to...but licensing the song is a good bit of $$ 😉
Roots in E-KY back to the late 1700's. Wheelwright KY is a recommended visit..first "Company" town in KY. Miner's were paid in "Company" money. And they built a town to service the community. Safe Travels!
He should film driving across Buckingham Mountain to Virgie...
Well done! Thank you! I will be back.
70 yo now, both sides of my family made. I still have the worm and cap from grand dads set up, Feds destroyed the rest. Cap still has dried dough on it used to seal leaks.
PROHIBITION is such a interesting topic
Being from WV, this road looks exactly like a million other rural roads/hollers in Appalachia. I grew up on one of them.
Indeed, it does!
I can give you a thumbs up and a comment.
Thank you buddy im sure im not the only one who enjoyed this
Awesome . Enlightening video on a great tune by Steve Earle. My 1st album by i had by S.E. With help from the pogues who i was into Already. Cheers .
I grew up in Knoxville off Baum Drive which was the end point of the run. There is a sign next to the public library.
My wife has a history like no other. Much like the Hatfield and McCoy feud, the Deans and Shifflett feud was is not as well known. But still has people snarling here in Elkton va. Her father’s side was “displaced “ 🥾 for the skyline drive project. And her mothers side fought in the civil war and then built a homestead that I am currently trying to revive and live. love your videos.
I used to live with the guys daughter that drove the car in the copperhead road video he's burried in Hardy's chapel Tennessee. R.i.p. Ivan green
Wow! So much history from this one road!!! I didn’t realize it was this long of a road. Another great video 🤩 Can’t wait for episode 10!
I live in Arizona, but lived in Penna, too. Every state had its Copperhead Road LOL. My old granny used to talk about when she was young and government more sensible. She and a cousin own a speakeasy back in a small, hidden valley where she sold her brothers-in-law sour mash and rye whiskey, and went thru a few hundred gallons of real beer on Saturday nights, alone. Every week, a jug to the local captain of state troopers, and another to someone else, and she never had a problem. A great-uncle was teaching me how to use a still before I was 6. Every fall, we would take Dad's truck to abandoned farms and take all the fallen apples and pears we could. He gave a few gallons of apple jack to a miller to crush the apples and they went in Dad's oak barrels to ferment till near christmas. I never worried about cops, but then, we all knew you never talked to anyone about some things. Funny thing was, revenuers would check the old spring house on the mountain and never found out all the brewing and cooking was done a quarter mile away across the hollow. niio, walk in beauty
Fascinating! Love that old family history, thanks for sharing the stories!!
Lol!
What parts of PA & AZ?
Grew-up in South-central PA, in Southeastern AZ now.
@@michaelharris1455 South Central AZ from East Central PA. My youngest son was one of the hundreds busted by the kids for kash scam.
Sure am glad you went to Pikeville, Kentucky. My home town. Thanks.
My kin live in Barbourville Ky, deep in the heart of Appalachia, life is slower down yander, I’m wanting to move down that way somewhere, SE Ky, eastern Tenn, NC , all beautiful places.
Beautiful country!
Thank you for a look @ history! This would be a fabulous motorcycle ride.
Been there, done that!
It was on my bucket list...
The tri-city is the best!
So awesome to see the actual road!! The guy on the bike LOL
It's wild isn't it?!
That was very interesting. Keep telling these stories.
Good video young man, the song an the shine, will always be around for all time.👍
Mother in law's family is from Letcher County, Kentucky; way back in an honest to gosh "Holler". The culture is as deep as you'd imagine, and the people are friendly and kind, as long as you don't give them a reason to disrust you. And yes, the 'shine is available.
Still live in east Tennessee and there are so many great places not seen or hear tell of ,so it's great your bringing them to others !! Stop in tellico plains indian boundary in Cherokee national forest ,, I'll show ya round
Another super good 😌 video
4:17 A Dodge 5.9 Magnum. I can still hear that rumblin'
5,9 is a runt,nothing sweeter than a stroked and bored 440 magnum with a hot cam burbleing away when it first fires up with open heads(start it before bothering to install the headers to make sure it was assembled correctly)
I'll have to make a trip there, I live here in Petros, Tn . Mountain City is about 2 hours from me. It would be a nice day trip.
Great video. Who would thought so much great history would come from these great Appalachia Mountains. Beautiful place.
I live in Carter county which is next to Johnson county. I do love living in the mountains here.
We are having fun with it, same as you. Thanks for taking us along.
Glad to hear it!
Sincere! Being in the UK, we don't get out to you guys very often, if at all. To have these videos and history is just something wonderful. Thank You.
You are very welcome!
Being from the UK, you probably know about the Pogues (RIP Shane McGowan). They are the backing band on Steve Earl’s Copperhead Road. I’d never been particularly interested in country music, but I was a huge Pogues fan at the time. Something resonated with me when I first heard that song… then I learned about the Pogues connection. What a magical and unexpected meeting of cultures… and yet, it seems so obvious.
@@BeefyMon I hear you. Great song regardless but knowing the Pogues guested on the track... makes it even beter. Merry Christmas
@@David-sk9vv it was Christmas Eve babe, in the drunk tank…
Wow thank you
Loved it. Beautiful country.
Excellent Video. One day when I'm big and travel the world I will have to make a turn there.
Go for it!
Good work, Sir.😊
Thanks man great vid love ❤️ from Canada 🇨🇦 great song
Love him
I got many family in Johnson county Tennessee.
I am in NC. In small county Alexander county. My grandpa and uncles used to run moonshine through Wilkes with Jr johnson.
They would cut through an old dirt road in Sugar loaf that took them to Boomer NC. Boomer is in wilkes county. They would out run the law men on that road. Its 1 of the few dirt roads we have left here.
Love it! Show us more......
Thank you for sharing
Keep em coming. I would love to see some real deep, rural hollers...fascinating history and unfortunately overlooked part of America. Harlan County, USA is a great watch for anyone...
Yes a bit of distinction between the two. Especially in Georgia and the Carolinas, you'll hear the term "low country" for the low land closer to the Atlantic coasts.
This video popped up on my youtube today because of the song. I was surprised to see the road is where my brother lived in Mountain City.
My wife and I go down it at least once a year. Beautiful country.
First time viewer. Now I'll be binging your other videos.
Welcome to the journey!
That's a nice video I'm from Jonesboro TN I've always heard about copper head road and I like Steve he's a good down to earth song writer god bless you
Great video. Thanks.
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for all your videos.
Damm nice trip.
In my part of the woods we called (lagrima
s del monte) tears of the mountain .pitrinche so will all
Thanks!
I'm living in Michigan, but I was born in Pennington Gap, Virginia. My family on my mother's side, and my father's side are all from the Big Stone Gap, Appalachia, and Keokee, Virginia. I just discovered your channel. I'll be looking forward to watching your videos. Thank you.
Looks just like most of the roads here in Southern PA. Gorgeous country
What part?
I grew-up in Perry County, been gone 40 years now, but probably still on the sheriff's list.....🙄
Thank you for a very informative and interesting video about Copperhead Road
Yeah, I mean, it's the placesetting culture and context behind his song. Thanks for watching!
Awesome! 👍🇨🇦😎
Gotta get up and down the Blue Ridge next! Asheville up to Roanoke and beyond!
Great discussion on the economics and hardships that bore the blockade whisky of the mountains. This series makes me wanna move from the city into the mountains. I love visiting the area. Such a rich history full of good people
Fascinating story. I appreciate the history on this one.
This is soooo damn cool! Love the song and the culture. I may be from the wrong side of the border, but I'm a LIFE LONG GOOD 'OL BOY..never meaning no harm. This song to me.. always meant "FIGHTIN' THE SYSTEM..any, system". Great video brother.
Looks like the road I grow up on only it's paved this was the north end off same Mt. Range
I seen you got the picture of the guy stuck in the hay on Roanoke ... pretty Kool maybe we'll meet up someday... One more thing if you never been to the Rush on Roanoke there and had one of their bacon egg and cheese sandwiches you don't even know ..💯💯💯
Noted!!
Looks like so many roads in my beautiful Kentucky
That part of the State is so Beautiful
I raised my sons in Johnson county, I miss it!!!
Your photos and cinematography are amazing. You really have a good way of capturing the "whole picture" of these places, which I find so many people don't understand how to do.
I enjoy watching these and love your style.
Thank you!
Can’t beat them old country roads my wife has family up close to Kentucky love going there every year
Excellent video!!
Copperhead Road is close to where I live.When l was a little boy l had a moonshiner friend named Hank ,who always brought me suckered pretended he liked to play cars with me in the driveway .He had a 40 Ford with a different motor in it .They never caught him ,but it doesn't mater now because he's gone.