Longtime country-music singer Del Reeves, best-known for his million-selling single “Girl on the Billboard” in 1965, died at age 74 after a long illness, reports the Associated Press.
“Girl on the Billboard” is an all-time-classic truck-driving song, with these final lyrics that warm the hearts of Mother Road fans:
On Route 66 from the billboard to Chicago
You’ll find tiny pieces of my heart scattered every which-a way
Scattered by the girl wearing nothing but a smile
and a towel in the picture on the billboard
in the field near the big old highway
YouTube had a video of Reeves performing “Girl on the Billboard” some months ago, but it appears to have been taken down. You can hear an audio clip of the song here.
Also, the country-rock band The Road Hammers recorded a mostly faithful cover of “Girl on the Billboard,” which can be seen here:
The Road Hammers already have paid tribute to Reeves on their site:
Jason McCoy remarked, “when we were putting together the Road Hammers album, we wanted to find songs that were in the true spirit of trucker music, but one transcended the genre. “Girl On The Billboard” was timeless, classic, and cool….that was Del Reeves….he was one of a kind, and he will be missed.”
Also, Harley Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., was a guitarist for Reeves some years ago. Hopefully, Harley will weigh in with a few stories about Reeves when he gets the chance.
UPDATE: Since the announcement of Reeves’ death, about a dozen music videos have trickled into YouTube. There’s no “Girl on the Billboard” yet, but there are a bunch of honky-tonk songs that are well worth your time, including this terrific performance of “Back Row” on Porter Wagoner’s TV show:
To see more Del Reeves videos, go here.
rest in peace..
Does anyone have a copy of the photograph of the billboard? Seems nearly impossible to find.
I saw Del Reeves perform two times in his career and caught a few pictures and signatures along the way. There is a need for some performers to connect with fans one-on-one and stay long after the time when other bigger names would have boarded the bus and hit the road. Del Reeves shook hands until every fan had a memory. That simple act made him a showman off the stage, as much as he was on the stage.
hyea, I don’t know you, you don’t me that’s two unknown people knowing each other.
Anyway I read you articles found it quiet interesting so .I say.normally I don’t…..read my blog………www.divinesoul.wordpress.com
Saw Del perform in Ft worth at the tribute to Bob Wills
A fine country artist…REAL country..not bubble gum as today..I miss him
I was interviewing family members when I was an adolescent back in the 1960s, and they said we were related to Del Reeves. I laughed it off as “fame wannabe syndrome” until today, when I was searching for another family line and Reeves popped up as a DNA link. Now I wonder if it’s true?!
I love Del Reeves I watch the RFD channel and they play his shows, Del Reeves Country Carnival I love watching them it is so strange to see him holding a cigarette you don’t see that at all anymore..and I will continue watching the program as long as they keep showing them.. and I hope they don’t stop any day soon..
That cup or glass you saw him sipping out of was not coffee or soda that is not strait soda.