The Merle Travis crossover Number 1 hit song “Sixteen Tons” was written about the appalling conditions experienced by his coal miner brother and father. Covered by Bo Diddley, Johnny Cash, Johnnie Taylor, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Tom Morello, Big Bill Broonzy & dozens of others, the song has been featured in shows South Park, The Simpsons, Mad Men, and the post-apocalyptic Virginia-set video game Fallout 76.