Get Your Boots Scootin’ to the Copperhead Road Line Dance

Don’t you just love a line dance that’s easy to pick up and a blast to do? The Copperhead Road Line Dance is exactly that – fun and simple, making it a hit for everyone to join in.

The Story Behind Copperhead Road

While the choreographer of the Copperhead Road Line Dance remains a mystery, the history of the song “Copperhead Road” is well-documented and adds an intriguing layer to the dance. The song paints a vivid picture of “Big Dry Run,” a road in Tennessee known as Copperhead Road. During Prohibition, this route became infamous as bootleggers used it to conceal their moonshine operations. Later, following the Vietnam War, the bootlegger’s son returns to this same road to cultivate marijuana illegally, continuing a legacy of illicit activities.

The Truth Lurking on Copperhead Road

Steve Earle penned and released the song “Copperhead Road” in 1988. Although Earle claimed the story was fictional, locals attest to the reality of bootlegging and marijuana trafficking on Copperhead Road in Tennessee. One resident even clarified that the term “copperhead” refers to the copper tubing used in the condenser of a still. Purchasing copper could alert authorities to illegal moonshining, and like a venomous copperhead snake, it could come back to bite you – hence the road’s evocative name.

Learn the Copperhead Road Line Dance: Step-by-Step

Ready to learn the moves? Here’s a breakdown to get you started with the Copperhead Road Line Dance:

Forward Kicks (4 Counts):
- Right Kick, Stomp (Count 1, 2)
- Left Kick, Stomp (Count 3, 4)
- Right Kick, Stomp (Count 5, 6)
- Left Kick, Stomp (Count 7, 8)
Right Foot Kick Outs (4 Counts):
- Right Heel Out (Count 1)
- Right Toe In across Left Knee (Count 2)
- Right Heel Out (Count 3)
- Right Foot Stomp (Count 4)
Left Foot Kick Outs (4 Counts):
- Left Heel Out (Count 5)
- Left Toe In across Right Knee (Count 6)
- Left Heel Out (Count 7)
- Left Foot Stomp (Count 8)
Repeat Forward Kicks (4 Counts):
- Right Kick, Stomp (Count 1, 2)
- Left Kick, Stomp (Count 3, 4)
- Right Kick, Stomp (Count 5, 6)
- Left Kick, Stomp (Count 7, 8)
Rock Steps with ¼ Turn (8 Counts):
- Right Foot Rock Forward (Count 1)
- Left Foot Replace Back (Count 2)
- Right Foot Side (Count 3)
- Left Foot Close, ¼ Turn to Left (Count 4)
- Repeat Rock Step sequence again (Counts 5, 6, 7, 8)
Dance Sequence: Simply repeat these steps from the beginning until the song ends! You’ll be Copperhead Road Line Dancing like a pro in no time.

Dance Credits

Huge thanks to our talented dancers, William Hooker and Holly Tomazin, for showcasing their moves and enthusiasm. This tutorial was filmed on location at Adventures in Dance. We also appreciate Craig Tomazin for his camera work on this occasion. Stay tuned for more exciting dance tutorials to keep you moving!

Holly Collins Tomazin providing WEDDING DANCE instruction and DANCE LESSONS. Certified Licentiate in Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murray’s, and author of Holly’s hot wedding tips, and Historically Accurate Princess Dances,. Winner of The Knot Hall of Fame for best wedding dance instruction, a top 50 Dance Blogs Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach, and owner of Adventures in Dance. Contact us at 720-276-0562 or [email protected], and visit us online at www.adventuresindance.com.