Copperhead Road
The road made famous by Steve Earle's 1988 hit
Copperhead Hollow Rd
Butler, Tennessee, USA
36.3336° N · -81.9259° W
Get DirectionsWhat happened here?
Copperhead Road is a rural road in the mountains of Johnson County, Tennessee, near the small town of Butler. The road became internationally famous after Steve Earle released his 1988 single "Copperhead Road," a story about a Vietnam veteran who returns to his family's land — long used for moonshining — to grow marijuana.
The Sign That Kept Disappearing
The original Copperhead Road sign became one of the most stolen road signs in Tennessee. Fans of the song would take the sign as a souvenir, forcing Johnson County to replace it repeatedly. After years of replacing the sign, the county eventually renamed the road to Copperhead Hollow Road in an attempt to stop the theft.
The Landmark Today
A landmark sign now marks the location, acknowledging the road's connection to Steve Earle's song. The area remains a draw for fans who make the drive into the Appalachian mountains to see the road that inspired one of the most recognisable songs in American roots music.
Steve Earle — Copperhead Road (1988)
Copperhead Road is a rural road in the mountains of Johnson County, Tennessee, near the small town of Butler. The road became internationally famous after Steve Earle released his 1988 single "Copperhead Road," a story about a Vietnam veteran who returns to his family's land — long used for moonshining — to grow marijuana.
The Sign That Kept Disappearing
The original Copperhead Road sign became one of the most stolen road signs in Tennessee. Fans of the song would take the sign as a souvenir, forcing Johnson County to replace it repeatedly. After years of replacing the sign, the county eventually renamed the road to Copperhead Hollow Road in an attempt to stop the theft.
The Landmark Today
A landmark sign now marks the location, acknowledging the road's connection to Steve Earle's song. The area remains a draw for fans who make the drive into the Appalachian mountains to see the road that inspired one of the most recognisable songs in American roots music.
Steve Earle — Copperhead Road (1988)
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