Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine, born on July 7, 1917, in Charleston, West Virginia, was a prominent American country music singer and songwriter, recognized for his truck-driving country songs, often recited as narratives set to music. He earned the nickname "Red" due to his auburn hair. Sovine's musical journey began in his youth when his mother taught him to play the guitar. His early musical endeavors included performing with his childhood friend Johnnie Bailes as "Smiley and Red, the Singing Sailors" on WWVA-AM in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Sovine's career took a significant turn when he formed the Echo Valley Boys in 1947. He later moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he performed on the Louisiana Hayride radio program. His association with country legends like Hank Williams and Webb Pierce helped him secure recording contracts with MGM Records and later Decca Records. In 1956, Sovine achieved his first number-one hit with a duet alongside Webb Pierce on "Why Baby Why."

Throughout his career, Sovine was known for his sentimental truck-driving songs, with his most famous hits including "Giddyup Go" (1965) and "Teddy Bear" (1976), both of which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and continued to release popular songs like "Phantom 309" and "Truck Driver’s Prayer."

Red Sovine passed away on April 4, 1980, in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved figure in country music, particularly remembered for his heartfelt storytelling and contributions to the truck-driving song genre.