10-4 Magazine June 2024

Trucker Talk: By John & Kim Jaikes Three years ago, Tony Justice had this crazy idea to have a truck show to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation after his wife Misty fought and beat breast cancer. He called up Evan Steger and asked if he would help with this gigantic undertaking, and Evan said, “Anything you need, brother.” True to his word, Evan has been there all three years parking trucks and helping put together a truck show and concert that gets rave reviews from all the drivers that participate. Faith runs deep in Tennessee, and with a forecast of rain, prayers were answered. The day before the show started, Mother Nature decided to wash the parking lot of the Tennessee Smokies Stadium. She gave the few trucks that were already there for the third annual Large Cars & Guitars III truck show a high-pressure spot free rinse. Luckily, with that, she was done, and the stage was set for beautiful weather the rest of the show on May 9-11, 2024. During the entire show you could smell the sweet fragrance of spring flowers wafting in the air – it was awesome! On Friday night Howes sponsored a dinner for all the drivers that were there. They had a yummy BBQ type menu with sodas and water. On the tables were little cans of Howes spray lubricant, along with giveaways of Howes fuel treatment products, hats, and t-shirts. This year there were nearly 200 beautifully staged trucks, partnered with entertainment to rock the Smokies, and the show (the trucks or the music) did not disappoint. Our friend Taylor Barker was supposed to kick off the show on Friday night, but he hit a slick spot riding his motorcycle a few days before the show and broke five ribs and his collar bone. We wish him a speedy recovery and missed him. Massey Motor Freight sponsors the stage for entertainment, and you can watch or enjoy the music while walking around the rows of large cars. The line up this year on Friday night, along with the “Fire on the Mountain Light Show” display, was Paul Marhoeffer (Long Haul Paul) andElvieShane. Saturdaymorning, on the stage, there was a live auction with bidding on donations and for spots in the convoy to appear in the video that Chris Fiffie and James Crowley (Texomatic) were shooting on Sunday for Tony’s new song, “We Drive Trucks.” All the money raised at the auction went to the cause. On Saturday night, EmiSunshine and Tony Justice played, then the “Fire on the Mountain Light Show” happened again, before Darryl Worley ended the night of music. The “Rock The Smokies Fireworks Extravaganza” ended the show in a big and spectacular way. There is only one trophy up for grabs at this show and it’s a guitar painted to match the truck it is awarded to. The kids who attend the show get to choose their favorite. Their choice this year was a truck that represents what this show is all about – Bryant and Kathy Mann’s 1998 Peterbilt 379 dump truck named “Ribbon Runner” – which was fittingly covered with pink breast cancer ribbons. This truck put an impressive 1.2 million miles under her belt before becoming a tribute truck for a friend of the family who lost her battle with breast cancer (Debbie Peregoy). The truck’s white paint is tastefully adorned with the pink breast cancer ribbons, and an American flag is the design for the tarp over the box. At night she is aglow in pink, and really stands out in any crowd. We talked with David Lowry, CEO at Bennett Motor Express, about how they are a big sponsor of this show. At Bennett, they have believed in Tony’s music for a long time, and they are happy to sponsor the show and the cause that it supports. Tony recently left his longtime employer Everhart Transportation and, with their blessing, went to work for Bennett Motor Express – and the truck he calls “Purgatory” went with him. He is currently driving a beautiful white 74 10-4 Magazine / June 2024 LARGE CARS & GUITARS III