The Genius Way Dick Curless Distributed His Hit ‘A Tombstone Every Mile’

It was truckers that delivered a legendary trucking anthem to the masses.

Maine country musician Dick Curless cemented his place in country music with his 1965 hit "A Tombstone Every Mile." Recorded in a Bangor radio studio, the tune illustrates the perils truckers face driving the wild roads of northern Maine. The song peaked at No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Getting the song to the masses was simple, yet brilliant.

News Center Maine spoke with author Peter Guralnick, who penned the book Looking to Get Lost: Adventures in Music and Writing. Guralnick spotlights Curless in his new writings, detailing his music career full of ups and downs. Knowing "A Tombstone Every Mile" would strike a relatable cord, Curless and his record label gave copies of the single to truckers who would take it on the road with them.

Soon the song was playing on truck stop jukeboxes all down the east coast. Curless and the record label eventually gave out, and sold out of, pressings of the song, which caught the attention of major labels.

For a broader look at Dick Curless and his career in music, check out News Center Maine's story here.

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