Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! Today we're talking honky-tonks, hard miles, and taking the long way around. I'm joined by Kimberly Kelly, a Lorena, Texas native who spent close to two decades driving all over this country, funding her own records and knocking on doors in Nashville before any of it broke her way. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2022, was named to CMT's Next Woman of Country Class of 2023, and signed her deal with one of my all-time heroes, the late, great Toby Keith.

Kimberly and I talk about what actually keeps a person going when quitting would be the reasonable thing - and she'll tell you straight that she feels like quitting every other day. We get into coming up in the Texas scene behind Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark, and Billy Joe Shaver, where you were simply expected to write your own songs, and she shares the line Billy Joe gave her back during the '08 recession about watching the highways for trucks - something she still checks for to this day. We also talk about the years she spent hauling a box trailer behind a 12-passenger van while working as a speech therapist, why Toby Keith was a modern-day outlaw, and what her new single Stripper For A Week is really about, which is not what the title makes you think.

TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE
- Nearly two decades of driving, gigging, and funding her own records before Nashville
- Why "making it" only gets harder to define the longer you're in it
- Billy Joe Shaver's advice: as long as you see trucks running, everything's probably okay
- Coming up in the Texas scene, where writing your own songs was never optional
- Driving a 12-passenger van, hooking up her own trailer, and what that taught her
- Working as a speech therapist right up until she signed with Toby Keith
- Why Toby Keith was a modern-day outlaw, and the stamp of approval he passed on
- How social media handed control back to artists, and what streaming royalties still take away
- The story behind Stripper For A Week and the working-class struggle underneath the joke
- Coming from working people, and why those are still the folks she looks for backstage

Find Kimberly Kelly online:
Website: https://www.kimberlykellymusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlykellymusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyKellyMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KimberlyKellyMusic

Big thanks to Kimberly Kelly for joining us and sharing her story, her songs, and her heart for the working people who keep this country rolling. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review, and share The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

EPISODE SPONSOR: FITZGERALD TRUCK PARTS
When you're out here on the big road putting in the miles, you don't have time to wait on parts - much less overpay for them. Fitzgerald Truck Parts is your go-to for quality parts and fast service: knowledgeable people, fair prices, and no BS. Truck it on over to FitzgeraldTruckParts.com and use code TONY at checkout for 10% off your order.

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! Today we're trading the Jake brakes for ropes and reins. I'm joined by Jaxton "Jax" Mortensen, a third-generation rodeo cowboy and rising star on the PBR Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour. Jax is currently sitting in the top 15, already has two wins this season, and just welcomed a brand-new baby into the family.

Jax and I talk about what it's like carrying a family legacy that started with his grandfather and continued through his dad and brother, the mental game behind staying focused on the back of a 1,500-pound bull, and the injuries that have tested him, including a horn through the elbow that took months to recover from. We also talk about the parallels between bull riding and trucking, the toll both take on a family, and how keeping faith at the center of it all makes the hard days survivable.

TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE
- Growing up in a three-generation rodeo family and finding his own path
- The mental game and focal points behind riding a 1,500-pound bull
- A career-altering elbow injury and the road back to competing
- Witnessing the dangers of the sport up close
- Parallels between bull riding and the trucking life
- Balancing marriage, fatherhood, and a career on the road

Find Jaxton Mortensen Online:
Instagram (jaxtonmortensen): https://www.instagram.com/jaxtonmortensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jaxton-Mortensen-100089481080050/
TikTok (jaxton_mortensen): https://www.tiktok.com/@jaxton_mortensen
Catch him riding most weekends on CBS Sports and Fox Sports through PBR

Big thanks to Jaxton Mortensen for joining us and sharing his story, his grit, and his faith. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review, and share The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

EPISODE SPONSOR: FITZGERALD TRUCK PARTS
When you're out here on the big road putting in the miles, you don't have time to wait on parts - much less overpay for them. Fitzgerald Truck Parts is your go-to for quality parts and fast service: knowledgeable people, fair prices, and no BS. Truck it on over to FitzgeraldTruckParts.com and use code TONY at checkout for 10% off your order.

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! This special Best of Seasons 1 & 2 episode brings together some of the most powerful, entertaining, and unforgettable moments from the road so far.

From authentic trucking stories and the brotherhood of drivers to country music, NASCAR, and iconic guests from television and music, this episode captures exactly what this show is about: real people, real stories, and real life on the road. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re just discovering the show, this episode is the perfect snapshot of the heart and soul behind The Road Show.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

The mission behind The Road Show: authentic stories from trucking and country music

Aaron Tippin on life before music and finding his voice through lived experience

Lisa Kelly (Ice Road Truckers) on risk, production realities, and breaking barriers

Ruby Leigh (The Voice) on her unexpected audition and record-breaking performance

Jacob Bonham on building the world-famous Hater Made truck and owning your identity

John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard) on early acting days and learning on the fly

Shane on faith, failure, songwriting, and the meaning of being a “backslider”

The pride, challenges, and culture that define life on the road

Seasons 1 and 2 were built on grit, honesty, and stories that deserve to be heard. If this episode reminded you why trucking and country music matter, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who lives life on the road.

God bless and as always, stay safe out there.

Sponsored by Fitzgerald Truck Parts:

https://fitzgeraldtruckparts.com/

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Richard Guida, Brand Marketing Manager at Howes Products. Not only is Howes a trusted sponsor of mine, they’ve also been serving the trucking industry for more than 100 years with American-made products designed to protect diesel engines and keep trucks running strong.

Rich and I talk about the legacy of Howes, how a trunk-slamming salesman turned a simple motor elixir into a fifth-generation family business—and the role their fuel treatments play in helping drivers avoid costly breakdowns, improve performance, and extend engine life. We also dig into the Howes Hall of Fame, a project that honors the drivers, companies, and organizations making a difference in trucking. If you’ve ever wondered why preventive care is key for your truck, or what keeps a company relevant for more than a century, this conversation is packed with insights.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• How Richard transitioned from agency marketing into trucking with Howes Products

• The 105-year history of Howes and what makes a family-owned business endure

• Why ultra-low sulfur diesel creates challenges—and how additives solve them

• Benefits of year-round fuel treatment: lubricity, injector life, fuel economy, and water removal

• The Howes Hall of Fame and its mission to recognize drivers and industry leaders

• Howes’ commitment to customer service, philanthropy, and reinvestment in the trucking community
  

Links & Resources

• Howes Products: https://howesproducts.com

• Howes Hall of Fame: https://howesproducts.com/hof

• Find Howes at Tractor Supply, O’Reilly, Napa, Walmart, and Amazon

Big thanks to Rich for joining us and giving us a closer look at Howes Products, the history, the people, and the passion that drives a century-old company forward. Remember: protecting your truck is like giving it a daily dose of vitamin D-diesel treatment! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review. And don’t forget to share The Road Show with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and brother in trucking, John Highley, a man whose 30+ years behind the wheel tell the story of grit, family, and old-school trucking pride. From his early days riding in his dad’s Greyhound to running a custom Kenworth W900 and hauling for some of rock and roll’s biggest names, John’s life is proof that the trucking way runs deep.

We talk about the lessons learned from tough roads, the importance of maintenance, integrity, and communication, and why staying true to your values matters more than ever in today’s industry. Whether you’re an old hand, a new driver, or just love a good road story, you’ll want to ride along for this one.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• How John’s trucking journey began in childhood, riding along with his father’s Greyhound runs

• The hard lessons learned from running old rigs and fixing them himself

• The difference between being an owner-operator and just owning a truck

• Why communication, courtesy, and patience are old-school values worth keeping

• John’s next chapter: restoring an MCI bus to travel the country and share the untold stories of trucking

Huge thanks to John for joining me on the show and sharing his heart for this industry. His story is a reminder that the old ways of taking pride in your work, respect for the road, and helping your fellow driver never go out of style.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends with your buddies out there on the blacktop. Until next time, keep the shiny side up and God bless.

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! Today, I’m joined by my good friend Evan Steger—known across the industry as the “King of Chrome.” Evan started polishing aluminum back in the early 2000s, turning his craft into a thriving business, a full product line, and a mission to help drivers take pride in their rides. From humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm to leading the Time2Shine brand and coordinating some of the biggest truck shows in the country, Evan’s story is one of grit, determination, and an unwavering love for trucking culture.In this episode, we talk about how Evan grew up learning hard work from his dad and grandpa, the turning point that made him strike out on his own, and the lessons he’s learned from decades of polishing. He shares why teaching others through YouTube and training programs became a cornerstone of his success, how he built his Time2Shine product line, and why organizing national-level truck shows has become his next passion. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a business from nothing and leave your mark on an industry, Evan’s story will inspire you to bet on yourself and keep pushing.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Growing up on a farm in Wisconsin and learning work ethic from family

• How polishing trucks turned from a side hustle into a full-time career

• The leap of faith that launched Time2Shine and tripled his business

• Why Evan started teaching polishing through YouTube and training courses

• • Building a national truck show championship series to unite the industry
  • The Time2Shine product line and commitment to quality over shortcuts

  Links & Resources

  • Time 2 Shine Products: https://goshineon.com
  • YouTube: @EvanStegerMetalPolishing
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Time2ShineProducts/
  • Instagram: @metalpolisher3826

  
  Big thanks to Evan for joining us and sharing his journey from polishing wheels at a truck wash to shaping the future of show trucks across America. His passion, hard work, and authenticity are contagious, and I’m proud to call him a friend. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review. And don’t forget to share The Road Show with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! In this episode, I sit down with Alex Mai — the voice behind Mother Trucker News and one of the most recognized creators in the trucking community. From the cab of his truck to millions of views online, Alex has built a platform giving real truckers a voice and telling the truth about life on the road. We talk about how he got started, why he believes storytelling and authenticity matter, and what the future of trucking really looks like.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Alex’s journey from North American Van Lines mover to building Mother Trucker News

• How loneliness and hard days on the road led him to start creating content

• The biggest misconceptions people have about truck drivers

• His honest take on technology, AI, and the future of driving jobs

• Why authenticity, relationships, and helping others are still what matter most

Big thanks to Alex for joining me and keeping it real about life behind the wheel. His honesty and heart for the driver community remind us why we do what we do. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends with your fellow drivers. Until next time — keep it safe out there and God bless!

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! We’re rolling into another exciting episode all the way from Down Under. I’m joined by one of Australia’s very own country rock powerhouses, Jayne Denham. She’s a seven-time Golden Guitar nominee who just hit number one in Australia with her single Moonshine, a collaboration with Colt Ford.

Jayne and I go way back like over ten years back and we’ve shared plenty of memories on stage, at truck shows, and even across continents when we shot the Long Distance Love video during lockdown. In this conversation, we talk about her musical journey from gospel and opera roots to becoming Australia’s “Trucker Chick,” her creative process behind concept albums like Wanted and Moonshine, and the deep connection she’s built with the trucking community through her songs.

We also dig into the story behind her collaborations with Nashville producers, what it’s like working with legends like Marty Fredrickson (Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood), and her hopes to hit the U.S. roads again soon.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Jayne’s journey from gospel and opera to country rock performer

• The inspiration behind her trucking songs and how they connect with drivers

• Creating concept albums like Wanted and Moonshine

• Working with producer Marty Fredrickson and collaborating with Colt Ford

• Her passion for keeping trucking music alive around the world

• Upcoming plans for new music and future U.S. performances

Jayne Denham Official Website: www.jaynedenham.comInstagram: @jaynedenhamListen to “Moonshine” (ft. Colt Ford): Available on all streaming platforms

Big thanks to Jayne Denham for joining us from Australia and sharing her story, her sound, and her heart for the trucking community. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review. And don’t forget to share The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! We’re rolling into season two with an inspiring conversation featuring my good friend Charles Gracey. Charles has worn just about every hat in the trucking world—from driver to recruiter to successful entrepreneur—and now serves as Managing Director of CDL Life. He’s also the host of Cents Per Mile on FreightWaves TV and Trucking Sense on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio (Channel 146), where he gives drivers a platform to be heard.In this episode, we dig into Charles’ journey from growing up in a trucking family to building and selling his own recruiting company. We talk about the calculated risks that come with betting on yourself, the importance of networking and building relationships, and the power of taking pride in whatever job you do. Whether you’re behind the wheel dreaming of your next step or already making moves toward a new chapter, Charles’ story is packed with insight, encouragement, and some hard-earned truth about success in and out of the cab.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• How growing up in a trucking family shaped Charles’ work ethic and career path

• Lessons from driving, recruiting, and running a successful business

• Why building relationships and asking questions is key to growth

• • The value of taking calculated risks and betting on yourself
  • How Trucking Sense gives drivers a voice on SiriusXM and connects the industry

  Links & Resources

  • CDL Life: https://cdllife.com

  • Cents Per Mile on FreightWaves TV 
• 
  
• Trucking Sense on SiriusXM Road Dog Trucking Radio: Channel 146
• Connect with Charles on social media: @DrPhilOfTrucking

Big thanks to Charles for sharing his story, his advice, and his passion for the trucking industry. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and leave us a review—and share The Road Show with your fellow drivers and friends. Until next time, keep it safe out there and God bless!

Welcome back to The Road Show with Tony Justice and Friends! In this episode, I sit down with two of my favorite people on the road — Daniel and Phyllis Snow of Snow Trucking. These two are more than friends — they’re family. We first met over a decade ago at the Guilty by Association Truck Show in Joplin, Missouri, and I’ve admired them ever since. Their story is one of grit, faith, and true partnership. From the early days of farming and hauling cattle to building their legendary rig “The Goose,” Daniel and Phyllis have built a life around hard work, faith, and a deep love for each other and the trucking community.

We talk about how they got their start in trucking, how they balance marriage and business, and the powerful faith that fuels every mile they drive. You’ll hear stories of their early years on the farm, lessons learned from life on the road, and the wisdom they’ve gained after 34 years of marriage and countless miles together. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps a couple rolling strong in both life and trucking, this conversation will warm your heart and make you proud to be part of this industry.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• How Daniel got started in trucking as a teen

• The origins and meaning behind The Goose

• Life on the road as a husband-and-wife team

• Building their faith-driven mission, In God We Truck

• How they keep marriage and joy alive on the road