When today’s country music is driven by cowboy wanna-be’s and prom queens who couldn’t cut it on MTV, Truckstop Preachers make it a point to deliver freight loads of raw honky tonk music to their audience.
It’s this respect that has attracted a congregation of real music listeners to the Truckstop Preachers. Loyal country music listeners are attracted to the truthful song writing. At the same time, fans of hard driving rock anticipate a gritty rock driven beat that brings them out of their seats.
Truckstop Preachers originally formed as 4 on the Floor in 2001. They performed thoughout the Carolinas, honing their honky tonk prowess, in every hole-in-the-wall that would have them. In a few years, they were welcomed by crowds up and down the east coast. While perfecting their sound they put together a hymnal of original material that would soon be their first nation wide release.
In 2004, still as 4 on the Floor, the band took their first album "Cowboys and Engines" to Europe. On this pilgrimage, they performed in front of thousands at festivals and European honky tonk venues and came away with a converted following.
After realizing the potential of the music, they made a bold move and changed the band name to Truckstop Preachers at the beginning of 2005. Realizing they had a message to send to those sinning souls of today’s country music, Truckstop Preachers appeared to be a logical change.
Since then, the band rereleased the album with an additional live cut from one of their Bakersfield heroes, Buck Owens. The self titled album was marketed and promoted through national radio stations and within a couple of months made it to the Americana Top 50. Quite a feat for a band with no huge record deal backing them up.
They’ve spent the past years opening up for national acts such as Dwight Yoakam, Dale Watson, Southern Culture on the Skids, David Allan Coe, Kevn Kinney (Drivin and Crying), Cross Canadian Ragweed, and 38 Special.
The Preachers music defies any easy categorization. Each member of the Truckstop clergy bring their own background to form the sound heard from the stage. Nathan Palmer, lead vocalist, attests his rich baritone voice from the likes of Ernest Tubb and Johnny Cash, while his stage presence resembles that of Jim Morrison and Jeff Clayton (Antiseen). Lee Goodwin’s heavy guitar riffs stem from legends Joe Perry, Red Simpson, and Don Rich. Mike Elder’s ink covered arms bang out the beats of his punk and rock upbringing. Jeff Faulkner lays down the smooth walking bass lines that were inspired by classic country players of the past that didn’t need more than 4 strings to do the job. Glenn Jones rounds out the combination with deep bluegrass roots along with traditional country interests that reach from New Grass Revival to Johnny Horton.
This cross denominational background creates a unique mix of honky tonk that is hard to describe. Their trucking and rockabilly stylings have transformed audiences into loyal fans of the music and shows. It’s clear to see that the interstates will run long and wide for these evangelists as they spread the good word of country music!
