Line dances are a fantastic way to get everyone on the dance floor, and the easier they are, the more inclusive the fun! The Copperhead Road Line Dance is a perfect example – it’s both enjoyable and simple to learn.
The Story Behind Copperhead Road
While the choreographer of the Copperhead Road line dance remains unknown, the history of the song “Copperhead Road” is well-documented and adds an intriguing layer to the dance itself. The song narrates a tale set on “Big Dry Run,” a road in Tennessee known as Copperhead Road. This road was notorious during Prohibition as a hiding spot for bootleggers conducting their illegal moonshine operations. Later, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the bootlegger’s son returns to this same road to cultivate marijuana, continuing the legacy of illicit activities in the same location.
Unpacking the Copperhead Road Legend
Steve Earle penned and released “Copperhead Road” in 1988. Despite Earle’s claim that the story was fictional, local accounts corroborate the history of bootlegging and marijuana cultivation along Copperhead Road in Tennessee. Adding to the local color, one resident pointed out that the term “copperhead” likely refers to the copper tubing used in the condenser of a moonshine still. Purchasing copper could alert authorities to illegal moonshining, and like a copperhead snake bite, it could be dangerous to get caught – thus, the evocative name Copperhead Road.
Learn to Dance: Copperhead Road Line Dance Steps
Ready to try the Copperhead Road line dance? Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you moving:
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Forward Kicks (x4):
- Right foot kick forward, stomp down. (Count 1, 2)
- Left foot kick forward, stomp down. (Count 3, 4)
- Right foot kick forward, stomp down. (Count 5, 6)
- Left foot kick forward, stomp down. (Count 7, 8)
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Right Foot Kick Out (x4 Counts):
- Right heel kick diagonally out to the right. (Count 1)
- Bring right toes in, crossing in front of your left knee. (Count 2)
- Right heel kick diagonally out to the right again. (Count 3)
- Right foot stomp down. (Count 4)
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Left Foot Kick Out (x4 Counts):
- Left heel kick diagonally out to the left. (Count 5)
- Bring left toes in, crossing in front of your right knee. (Count 6)
- Left heel kick diagonally out to the left again. (Count 7)
- Left foot stomp down. (Count 8)
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Repeat Forward Kicks (x4): Repeat step 1.
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Rocking Quarter Turn (x8 Counts – Two sets of 4 counts):
- Rock forward on your right foot. (Count 1)
- Replace weight back onto your left foot. (Count 2)
- Step to the right side with your right foot. (Count 3)
- Close your left foot next to your right foot, making a ¼ turn to the left as you close. (Count 4)
- Repeat the 4-count rock and turn sequence again, completing a ½ turn to the left in total over these 8 counts. (Counts 5, 6, 7, 8)
Repeat the entire sequence from the beginning until the song ends. You’ve got it!
Credits
Big thanks to dancers William Hooker and Holly Tomazin for demonstrating these steps with such energy! This tutorial was filmed at Adventures in Dance, and we appreciate Craig Tomazin for his camera work. Keep an eye out for more fun dance tutorials coming soon.
