Dwight Yoakam's song about the 3 R's of Kentucky schools. They learned readin' rightin' and roads to the north that led to luxuries a coal miner can't afford.
The first time I heard this song I had to pull off of the road because I was crying so hard. My parents were born and raised in Louisa, KY and left to find work in Ohio. They were called slang words and made fun of (from what they told me). My mom's parents lived on Rt. 23 in KY and my dad's were just off of 23. I remember so well pulling up to their homes for a visit and my grandparents would come flying out of the house to smother us with hugs. Some of my best childhood memories are right there in E KY with my grandparents.
Those brave men who show up at the mine before daylight in their dirty rusty trucks. They suit up turn on their head light and lay down on a trolley car riding back inside a mountain for 40 minutes deep under the surface to dig out that precious black dust. Those are the pilot lights of America. God Bless you Coal miners.
When Dwight writes about his roots (much like his "Miner's Prayer") you glimpse the heart of a young man not afraid to express his love for family and a way of life that wasn't always easy...Always loved this number and appreciate the sharing of this great version!!
He couldn't have written a better song for all the families that had to move north years ago. I hit home because i can remember my daddy coming home from work and loading us up in the car to head down 23 to see our grandparents. (lost both grandfathers to black lung) Now I'm finally back home in Kentucky where I belong thanks Dwight for making all our lives into a song....
My father, God rest his soul, left Hurley Virginia. A one road Town in the Appalachian mountains, bringing his fledgling family to the city in search of a better life than the hard when he grown up with. He moved to Florida with my mom and my older brother a baby then. He got a job as a painter for a painting contractor. A trade he learned and worked his entire life until bursitis in both of his shoulders forced him into retirement at 68. The first paycheck he got... He told me... It was so much money it made him cry.
Awsome song! My Dad is from Jenkins, Kentucky and I've been on Rt. 23 a couple of times...... it's beautiful. I didn't grow up in Kentucky, but I'm proud of my Kentucky roots!!!
take 23 every day here in Columbus on the north side. most locals don’t know he was raised here. show some kentucky and ohio love. god bless him for giving some spotlight to the young man with autism who can sing all of his songs.
Family roots run deep in Eastern Kentucky, grandma was born in Hueysville. Great grandparents come from Magoffin and Floyd Counties. Just took my kids down this past weekend to visit and this song came on my playlist gave me chills to walk the same steps generations before me did.
Another fine number from his heart...when writing about his home and early life experiences, the depth of this fine young man is all-too-obvious...Thanks for sharing one of my favorite Dwight compositions and performances. Much like his "Miner's Prayer", this paints a picture we country folks haved lived and seen...just as he has!
I known this song for years and have loved it, sing it to myself when alone doing chores or driving. Never really understood the whole story until I read JD Vances great read about a part of this country that is often misunderstood.
I love being from Kentucky - an absolutely great state. I know some out in the state think of Louisville as being totally different from the state. But Louisvillians are always proud of being part of the state.
I am from and I live in the same place he is from! Everything in this song is true. They are a lot of talented people come from here in eastern Ky. Everything in this song is so true. I am a coal miners daughter, and right now coal jobs are gone. People are moving once again, to have a life some where better than here..=)
Thanks for the post! I saw him in concert again about a month ago.. I couldn't belive how fast he does his songs now! This brought back good memories, thanks again!
Done this lots of times moved back to pike county about when I was 10 years old worked in coal mine from 1992 to 2014 got laid off back 23 for work northern ky
Gotta love Buck, Marty, Johnny, Conway, Hank Sr, Merle, Waylon, George, Willie and others. The new country sucks - I mean Taylor Swift won all these awards while being a "Pop" princess. Hoss was right when he said "Old Hank would be turning over in his grave if he could see what was happening to country music.
I don't think Dwight would have made it if not for Pete Anderson's contributions of stellar guitar playing and producing skills. It's a shame DY just walked away from him over 10 years ago and Pete has handled it so gracefully in interviews. He never says anything bad about DY and that they have not spoken since they last worked together. Not trying to put DY down. I met him last Christmas at the show in Ventura, Ca. Great guy. But there's something to be said about loyalty to the one's who ate .39 cent Top Ramen noodle soup for years while trying to make it as a team. Johnny Cash would have never done that to Luther and Buck would not to Don Rich. There's the difference.
Readin, Rightin, Routes 75, 59 and 2-0, takes my hillbilly ass out west to Texas and beyond..................where I know my new role...............!!!!!
Dwight is funny....He was born in Kentucky but grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He always ignores that fact. His family took 23 north to Ohio and he graduated from Northland High School. I guess it is a lot "cooler," if you are a country singer, to claim Kentucky as your home rather than Ohio. Not here bashing Kentucky. My mom came from Kentucky the same way his family did. There wasn't anything in Kentucky other than coal mines. Cols. had a large GM factory, Jeffrey Mining Co. and many other places to find work. That is the "life of luxury" that he sings about in this song.
Yep, I understand it works for the song to make the north sound worse than their KY home, but my mom, from near Louisa, found a lot better than misery here in Columbus. Funny you mention Jeffrey Mining...my mom worked for Mrs Carlile, the sister of Malcolm Jeffrey. She was her live-in maid (I guess you'd call it a personal assistant today), in the house that is now the Governor's Mansion. My dad came north too, from Nashville, to find work.
I would say you succeeded in missing every nuance and point Dwight was making in his song. He never wrote the song from the first-person perspective; he is singing with respect and devotion, in the third-person, about "them/they;" his family, not himself. The "life of luxury" was a dream for anything above the poverty level and short lifespan of a coal miner. I know whereof he speaks/sings: my father was a born-and-bred Kentuckian; my paternal grandfather and great-grandfather choked their lives away in the coal mines of southern Ohio and Kentucky. I was born in Ohio, but I still claim Kentucky as "mine" because of my forebears. You have no clue whereof you speak. Listen with more depth and understanding before you cut and condemn. Oh...and Dwight IS cool; he isn't pretending anything. How about you?
This area is the best in the world! All people should grow up here, be a lot less crime. Its a shame that the Obama administration is destroying our way of life. Dwight says it best, reading writing Route 23! Wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
Came to Texas once, then California by taking route 23, well, took it south to route 81, took it south to route 40, then route 75, than route 24 to route 59, and finally route 20 and route 10 which took me way out west, now I'm enjoying the sunny Southern California lifestyle!!! SURFS UP, MOTHERFUCKERS! O.P. ALL THE WAY!!!!! Like they say in the realm of the Hillbilly, route 23 north to Detroit and Chicago, route 23 south to Texas, Florida and California!!!!!
I am 85 and love this song, takes back to my home country beginnins
The first time I heard this song I had to pull off of the road because I was crying so hard. My parents were born and raised in Louisa, KY and left to find work in Ohio. They were called slang words and made fun of (from what they told me). My mom's parents lived on Rt. 23 in KY and my dad's were just off of 23. I remember so well pulling up to their homes for a visit and my grandparents would come flying out of the house to smother us with hugs. Some of my best childhood memories are right there in E KY with my grandparents.
Those brave men who show up at the mine before daylight in their dirty rusty trucks. They suit up turn on their head light and lay down on a trolley car riding back inside a mountain for 40 minutes deep under the surface to dig out that precious black dust. Those are the pilot lights of America. God Bless you Coal miners.
Who’s here 9-2019?!?
Amazing song Dwight!
When Dwight writes about his roots (much like his "Miner's Prayer") you glimpse the heart of a young man not afraid to express his love for family and a way of life that wasn't always easy...Always loved this number and appreciate the sharing of this great version!!
He couldn't have written a better song for all the families that had to move north years ago. I hit home because i can remember my daddy coming home from work and loading us up in the car to head down 23 to see our grandparents. (lost both grandfathers to black lung) Now I'm finally back home in Kentucky where I belong thanks Dwight for making all our lives into a song....
from a coal mining family in the north of UK. this song reignites the folk, hardy and honourable heritage of coal mining across the world
My father, God rest his soul, left Hurley Virginia. A one road Town in the Appalachian mountains, bringing his fledgling family to the city in search of a better life than the hard when he grown up with. He moved to Florida with my mom and my older brother a baby then. He got a job as a painter for a painting contractor. A trade he learned and worked his entire life until bursitis in both of his shoulders forced him into retirement at 68. The first paycheck he got... He told me... It was so much money it made him cry.
Ahhhwwe get it coming from south east KY Rock on 🤘🤘🎵🎵⚡⚡⚡🎭😶
One of my all time favourite Dwight songs. He does it in a way no other singer could possibly approach.
Awsome song! My Dad is from Jenkins, Kentucky and I've been on Rt. 23 a couple of times...... it's beautiful. I didn't grow up in Kentucky, but I'm proud of my Kentucky roots!!!
West Virginia's coal miners daughter love Dwight's music and his voice none like it.
I burned through this song so much in the 80's, Dwight knows how hit your soul.
Pete Anderson and Don Rich - two unbelievable country guitarists.
You said it brother.
Hands down the greatest singer that ever lived. No one comes close
going to anderson music hall to hear yoakam teach the 3R's
no one talks about dwights great writing????? he always sings great and his band is always hottt he deserves more credit the guy is still awesume
Dwight and Roger Miller are the best songwriters of all time
No one beats Merle Haggard.
take 23 every day here in Columbus on the north side. most locals don’t know he was raised here. show some kentucky and ohio love. god bless him for giving some spotlight to the young man with autism who can sing all of his songs.
Damn brother I'm 23 south just outta Columbus a few mile
this is a good history of what life was like amoung those precius people
Love Dwight Forever 🌹
My parnens grew up in the mountains of North Georgia. I lived the second verse of this song. I'm proud of my heritage.
Family roots run deep in Eastern Kentucky, grandma was born in Hueysville. Great grandparents come from Magoffin and Floyd Counties. Just took my kids down this past weekend to visit and this song came on my playlist gave me chills to walk the same steps generations before me did.
This is one of my favorite Dwight Yoakam songs.
Another fine number from his heart...when writing about his home and early life experiences, the depth of this fine young man is all-too-obvious...Thanks for sharing one of my favorite Dwight compositions and performances. Much like his "Miner's Prayer", this paints a picture we country folks haved lived and seen...just as he has!
I known this song for years and have loved it, sing it to myself when alone doing chores or driving. Never really understood the whole story until I read JD Vances great read about a part of this country that is often misunderstood.
Great Dwight song, One of his best!! Great post!!
I'm from Inez,KY so I know route 23 well. I've spent many hours driving it when I go back to see the family.
Awesome !
STill one of the BEST songs ever writ or sung.
Jim Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy" brought me here
me too!
Me, too!
I fourth that!
Me as well.
Me too.
I love being from Kentucky - an absolutely great state. I know some out in the state think of Louisville as being totally different from the state. But Louisvillians are always proud of being part of the state.
This is literally giving me goosebumps right now
I am from and I live in the same place he is from! Everything in this song is true. They are a lot of talented people come from here in eastern Ky. Everything in this song is so true. I am a coal miners daughter, and right now coal jobs are gone. People are moving once again, to have a life some where better than here..=)
Always. A delight to hear the song Love It
Wow, that's excellent. I have been a fan since the early days. Live and raw, very nice. Nice piece of history!
Young Dwight, he is so sweet💕💕💕💕
I love this. Thank you Dwight for your tribute to your home town people. I still live here in Pikeville, ky. God bless you !
Thanks for the post! I saw him in concert again about a month ago.. I couldn't belive how fast he does his songs now! This brought back good memories, thanks again!
At kyfan I was born and raised in prestonsburg goin home for vacation on the 17th can't wait!!!!!
Thanks for the video! I've never seen such old footage of Dwight before!
Great song.
Done this lots of times moved back to pike county about when I was 10 years old worked in coal mine from 1992 to 2014 got laid off back 23 for work northern ky
Gotta love Buck, Marty, Johnny, Conway, Hank Sr, Merle, Waylon, George, Willie and others. The new country sucks - I mean Taylor Swift won all these awards while being a "Pop" princess.
Hoss was right when he said "Old Hank would be turning over in his grave if he could see what was happening to country music.
You don't understand our way of living here, unless you have lived here yourself! We have our own way of life here in eastern ky.
And Southwest Virginia! Norton here!
Jamie Gearheart
l grew up like this in rural SC
Love it
I need to drive on Route 23 North. I am sure it is awesome.
A Telecaster in the hands of Pete Anderson is like a chisel in the hands of Donatello.
We did that trip a many times only to West By God
Originally from the Louisa area. 23 was the way to Paintsville and the stock market.
WoW this is awesome....how old is this clip? i dont remember him ever looking so young or maybe im older than i think ...Loved it
Pete Anderson is the grand sorcerer of the Fender Telecaster.
I don't think Dwight would have made it if not for Pete Anderson's contributions of stellar guitar playing and producing skills. It's a shame DY just walked away from him over 10 years ago and Pete has handled it so gracefully in interviews. He never says anything bad about DY and that they have not spoken since they last worked together. Not trying to put DY down. I met him last Christmas at the show in Ventura, Ca. Great guy. But there's something to be said about loyalty to the one's who ate .39 cent Top Ramen noodle soup for years while trying to make it as a team. Johnny Cash would have never done that to Luther and Buck would not to Don Rich. There's the difference.
Maybe you aren't privy to all the inside facts about their professional relationship.
Prestonburg KY RT 23 out my front door
great song,Dwight is one of my favourite country singers
Readin, Rightin, Routes 75, 59 and 2-0, takes my hillbilly ass out west to Texas and beyond..................where I know my new role...............!!!!!
dewight>>>>>>been loveingyou for a long time,,,gonna keep loveingyou till the end of my story
My heritage
from here to home rt 23
Dwight is funny....He was born in Kentucky but grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He always ignores that fact. His family took 23 north to Ohio and he graduated from Northland High School. I guess it is a lot "cooler," if you are a country singer, to claim Kentucky as your home rather than Ohio. Not here bashing Kentucky. My mom came from Kentucky the same way his family did. There wasn't anything in Kentucky other than coal mines. Cols. had a large GM factory, Jeffrey Mining Co. and many other places to find work. That is the "life of luxury" that he sings about in this song.
Yep, I understand it works for the song to make the north sound worse than their KY home, but my mom, from near Louisa, found a lot better than misery here in Columbus. Funny you mention Jeffrey Mining...my mom worked for Mrs Carlile, the sister of Malcolm Jeffrey. She was her live-in maid (I guess you'd call it a personal assistant today), in the house that is now the Governor's Mansion. My dad came north too, from Nashville, to find work.
I would say you succeeded in missing every nuance and point Dwight was making in his song. He never wrote the song from the first-person perspective; he is singing with respect and devotion, in the third-person, about "them/they;" his family, not himself. The "life of luxury" was a dream for anything above the poverty level and short lifespan of a coal miner. I know whereof he speaks/sings: my father was a born-and-bred Kentuckian; my paternal grandfather and great-grandfather choked their lives away in the coal mines of southern Ohio and Kentucky. I was born in Ohio, but I still claim Kentucky as "mine" because of my forebears. You have no clue whereof you speak. Listen with more depth and understanding before you cut and condemn. Oh...and Dwight IS cool; he isn't pretending anything. How about you?
Damn, the boy's young here, a'int he!
buckonews he looks like a baby but a good looking baby.
🎉❤
❤❤❤ like 🎉you my l love
Would love to know when and where this performance was done. Must be early/mid 80’s.
How old is Dwight here? He looks like a teenager in this video. I went to his concert several years ago. He did not look very tall on stage.
❤l love you beby
This area is the best in the world! All people should grow up here, be a lot less crime. Its a shame that the Obama administration is destroying our way of life. Dwight says it best, reading writing Route 23! Wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
Came to Texas once, then California by taking route 23, well, took it south to route 81, took it south to route 40, then route 75, than route 24 to route 59, and finally route 20 and route 10 which took me way out west, now I'm enjoying the sunny Southern California lifestyle!!! SURFS UP, MOTHERFUCKERS! O.P. ALL THE WAY!!!!!
Like they say in the realm of the Hillbilly, route 23 north to Detroit and Chicago, route 23 south to Texas, Florida and California!!!!!
Hi! This is great, did you film this and do you have a better quality version?
Why don't we just argue about who is more down home than someone else.
?
This is great. Do you have a higher res version of this?
Rt 23 born rt 23 bred and when I'm gone I'll be rt 23 dead period
Teaberry KY for me. I think 979 counts for this song right?
I did
Was there any mail left in the lobby?
Anyone know how old Dwight is in this video?
Who’s here after reading Hillbilly Elegy?
Like mail for my tex❤
What key
Could be ?
It turns out that them old Yankees sent them jobs over seas ... Yippee !!
Awesome!