As rock'n'roll began to skyrocket in popularity, Walser opted to stay in the Texas Panhandle, raise a family and work as a mechanic and auditor for the National Guard, rather than move to Nashville and pursue a recording career. As a result, he had little following outside Texas for the first part of his career. However, he never stopped playing and became widely known in Texas. From 1959-61 Walser had a group called The Texas Plainsmen and a weekly radio program. For the next three decades he was always in bands and played a heavy schedule. He wrote popular original songs such as "Rolling Stone from Texas", which received a four-star review in 1964 from Billboard magazine.
As time went on, Walser also became known for maintaining a catalog of older, obscure country music and cowboy songs. He keep alive old 1940s and 1950s tunes by country music pioneers such as Bob Wills and Eddie Arnold, and made them his own in a style that blended elements of honky tonk and Western swing. He also was known for his extraordinary yodeling style in the tradition of Slim Whitman and Jimmie Rodgers.
In 1984, the Guard transferred Walser to Austin, a center of the burgeoning alt-country music scene. He put together his Pure Texas Band and developed a strong local following. Walser opened for Johnny Cash in 1986. In 1990, Walser was "discovered" by musician and talent scout Tiny McFarland [2].
In 1994, aged 60, Walser retired from the Guard. Able to devote himself fully to music for the first time in his life, he was immediately signed by Watermelon Records, and released his first LP, Rolling Stone From Texas, produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. His extraordinary vocal abilities earned him the nickname "the Pavarotti of the Plains" by a reviewer for Playboy magazine. Because of his Austin base, he attracted fans from country music traditionalists, and alternative music and punk fans. His band later became the opening act for the Butthole Surfers.
Don Walser was voted "Best Performing Country Band" at the Austin Music Awards, was voted top country band of the year by the Austin Chronicle in 1996, and received an Association for Independent Music "Indie" Award in 1997. He also received recognition in mainstream country, and played the Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 1999, and again in 2001. In 2000 he received a lifetime "Heritage" award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and he and the Pure Texas Band played at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He also received cameo roles in feature movies with honky-tonk settings, such as The Hi-Lo Country (1998), starring Woody Harrelson.
In September, 2003, Don Walser retired from live performances due to health issues. Three years later, Walser died due to complications from diabetes on September 20, 2006, 6 days after his 72nd birthday.
Truck Drivin' Man
Don Walser Lyrics
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A little place called hamburger dan's
I put a quarter in the jukebox
Play the truck drivin' man
The waitress she poured me some coffee
I thanked her and called her back again
I said this song sure does fit me
Pour me another cup of coffee
For it is the best in the land
I'll put a quarter in the jukebox
And play the truck drivin' man
I climbed up inside my old semi
And then like a flash I was gone
I had them old wheels rollin'
I'm on my way to San Antone
Pour me another cup of coffee
For it is the best in the land
I'll put a quarter in the jukebox
And play the truck drivin' man
Pour me another cup of coffee
For it is the best in the land
I'll put a quarter in the jukebox
And play the truck drivin' man
And play the truck drivin' man
The song "Truck Drivin' Man" by Don Walser is a classic narrative of a truck driver's life as he makes his way through Texas. The song opens with the singer narrating his visit to a roadhouse in Texas called Hamburger Dan's where he inserts a quarter into the jukebox to play the song "Truck Drivin' Man." As the song proceeds, he heads back to his truck where he makes his way to San Antone, enjoying his coffee and the song as he drives.
The lyrics of the song are vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the life and struggles of a truck driver. The song conveys the feeling of loneliness and solitude that truck drivers often feel while on the road. At the same time, the song also celebrates their independence and freedom.
Overall, the song portrays the truck driver's life in a very realistic and sympathetic light, recognizing and honoring the hard work and dedication required to be a truck driver.
Line by Line Meaning
I stopped at a road house in Texas
I halted at a small roadside eatery in Texas
A little place called hamburger dan's
It was a humble establishment called hamburger dan's
I put a quarter in the jukebox
I deposited 25 cents in the jukebox machine
Play the truck drivin' man
To hear a song, I selected Truck Drivin' Man
The waitress she poured me some coffee
The lady attendant poured me some hot coffee
I thanked her and called her back again
I expressed my gratitude and requested for another serving
I said this song sure does fit me
I stated that the song is relatable to my life
Cause I'm a truck drivin' man
Because I am a man who operates a truck as a profession
Pour me another cup of coffee
Please refill my cup with more coffee
For it is the best in the land
As it is considered to be the highest quality in this region
I climbed up inside my old semi
I ascended inside my aged semi-truck
And then like a flash I was gone
Subsequently, I departed at great speed
I had them old wheels rollin'
I set the wheels of my old truck in motion
I'm on my way to San Antone
I am currently en route to San Antonio
And play the truck drivin' man
I chose to listen to Truck Drivin' Man again on the jukebox
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TERRY FELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind