Big Dreams for 'The Littlest Hobo': Fans push for star on Canada’s Walk of Fame

CTV National News: 'The Littlest Hobo' Fans are rallying to get the TV series ‘The Littlest Hobo’ and its song recognized on Canada’s Walk of Fame. John Vennavally-Rao reports.

When Terry Bush co-wrote and sang Maybe Tomorrow, the theme song for The Littlest Hobo, he thought it was just another gig—a catchy tune for a TV show about a wandering German Shepherd. Forty-five years later, that "little tune" still tugs at heartstrings, pops up on playlists, and has even been known to be played at closing time in English pubs.

“I can’t believe the effect it’s had on people, and still does to this day,” said Bush, now 82. “It still humbles the heck out of me.”

CTV News caught up with Bush at his home in Ajax, Ont., where he sat at the piano and, for the first time in years, sang the lyrics beloved by millions:

"There’s a voice that keeps on calling me. Down the road, that’s where I’ll always be.”

A campaign for recognition

Recently, fans and fellow musicians have been calling for Bush and The Littlest Hobo to be recognized with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. A change.org petition has gathered over 5,000 signatures and more are added every day.

“It’s an honour,” said Bush simply. “An honour.”

Back in the late 1970s, Bush was a successful jingle writer when a friend approached him about writing a theme song for CTV’s reboot of The Littlest Hobo, a character that originally appeared in a 1958 American film of the same name. The show followed a heroic dog helping people before always moving on to its next adventure.

“He explained the concept—the dog going from town to town,” recalled Bush. “I said, sure.”

Bush teamed up with copywriter John Crossen, who penned the now-iconic lyrics. In just 20 minutes, Bush strummed out the melody on his guitar.

“I was very pleased with it. I thought, ‘It’s a nice little country song. It’s good.’”

The Song That Almost Wasn’t

But the road to TV fame wasn’t smooth. The first version of the theme flopped with CTV executives. So did the second. At one point, producers even considered a jazzy New York-produced theme. But in the end, Bush’s song—reworked a few more times—got the green light.

“And so I did the song, and I thought, that'll be the end of it, right? ‘It's nice’ I thought. And I moved on to the next jingle. Never, in my wildest imagination, did I think it would become what it did.”

A global hit

After six successful seasons and years in reruns, Bush later learned The Littlest Hobo had aired in dozens of countries, including Japan, the U.K., where its theme song became a cultural phenomenon.

“It was so popular [on the BBC] that when pubs closed at night, they played the song,” Bush said with a chuckle.

The song even ended up in commercials, including an award-winning ad for a British bank.

'Canada’s Batman'

Leading the push for a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in Toronto is Canadian history enthusiast Craig Baird.

After hearing that Batman was getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Baird had an epiphany. The thought The Littlest Hobo is “kind of Canada’s Batman.”

“He travels from town to town, helps people, and fights crime in his own way,” said Baird, the host of the podcast Canadian History Ehx.

He points out that other Canadian TV staples like SCTV and The Kids in the Hall already have stars and believes The Littlest Hobo has earned its place, too.

“If not the show, then at least Terry Bush. His song is beloved by generations of Canadians,” says Baird.

Musician and guitar instructor David Glabais agrees. During a recent Massey Hall performance, he even gave Bush a shoutout, urging the audience to sign the petition.

“I think a lot of us can relate to it,” Glabais says. “That song about travelling down the road—it’s just a piece of Canadian history.”

Baird says the 2025 inductees have already been announced, but he remains hopeful down the road the star will happen.

“We’re aiming for 2026.”