For Josh Gentry, September was a month to remember. As the son of Teddy Gentry, co-founder of the band Alabama, he pulled the band’s Kenworth T680 into the Kenworth Renton manufacturing plant, and a grin crossed his face. He was “home” to where many of The World’s Best trucks are made, and he would soon get a factory tour. As the tour’s driver, he’s been around Kenworth for about as long as he can remember. But more on that later.
At the factory, he wasn’t alone. Soon, Teddy and other bandmates arrived, as did many of the crew/staff that work behind the scenes for Alabama. It was a scene reminiscent from decades earlier when the band and truck drivers came to Renton to take delivery of Kenworth trucks and receive a plant tour.
This is Kenworth’s second tour with Alabama, which was founded by a trio of cousins from Fort Payne, Alabama – Randy Owen, Teddy, and the late Jeff Cook. The relationship with Kenworth first began in 1988, and it continued until the band decided to stop touring in 2004.
In 2023, Alabama hit the road with its Roll On II Tour. It so happened that it was during the year that Kenworth was celebrating its 100th anniversary. A chance meeting between Josh and Kenworth at the Mid-America Trucking Show rekindled memories. And, it led to Kenworth sponsoring the group’s latest tour, providing Josh with a 2023 T680 to haul concert equipment. In return Alabama provided Kenworth employees, dealers and customers with tickets to concerts throughout the country. A special Kenworth video, thanking truckers for all they do, also was shown on the big screen before concerts began.
For Josh, the relationship with Kenworth has come full circle.
“Now I’m getting to experience the amazing things I saw from the sidelines as a boy,” said Josh, who spent a lot of time riding in Kenworth trucks with Alabama’s tour drivers in the late 80s and early 90s. “I’ve always loved trucks and when I was eight years old, trucks and Kenworth became an obsession. That’s why it’s humbling and surreal to see where these machines are made. The trucks are built by people who have a passion — they stand behind the brand. Seeing the trucks being built and meeting the people who work so hard to build them…well, it’s a dream come true.”
“It’s been a wonderful reunion with Alabama,” said Scott Smith, Renton’s plant manager. “Everyone at the plant was excited to host the crew, Josh and Teddy. All told we had 15 from Alabama join the factory tour. Some of our workers were building trucks when we last hosted Alabama at the plant, so this reunion brought back many great memories for those here. It’s been a great partnership.”
For Teddy, it was his first time through the plant. “It was amazing,” he said. “Hats off to all the employees. Doing the things they do…I don’t think I could keep up if I were out there. No two Kenworths are alike coming down the line – I didn’t know all the detail that went into building a truck. I was blown away.”
For Scott and many other employees at Kenworth, the day after the factory tour with Alabama meant getting to see the band in their work environment. A quick drive to Puyallup (25 miles south of Renton) and the Washington State Fair had Alabama headlining a sold-out concert. Fans were on their feet throughout the concert and Alabama didn’t disappoint – playing many of their classic hits. During the 1980s alone, the band had 27 No. 1 country hits. During their career they’ve had 42 No. 1 hits – that’s more than the Beatles. And it’s the most awarded band in the history of country music, with over 250 awards from a variety of organizations. In 2023, on the band’s 50th anniversary, Alabama received the Pinnacle Award – CMA’s highest honor.
Since the concert was during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Teddy took a moment toward the end of the concert to pay homage to drivers everywhere for their contributions. He even singled out Josh and how proud he was to have him as the driver for the tour. A special nod to Kenworth and employees at the Renton plant ended the prelude before the musical chords to Roll On 18-Wheeler began serenading the crowd. The song is an anthem to truckers and it was a fitting conclusion to a concert that no one would soon forget.
“It was a magical two days for Kenworth and Alabama,” said Scott. “We shared each other’s ‘home.’ There is a special bond between Kenworth and Alabama. And, even more, we know there is a strong connection between truckers and the band. That’s why this relationship has endured over time.”
“Exactly,” said Josh. “Randy and Dad have honed their craft and have done it perfectly for so many years. They are still farmers back home and their music talks about honest and hardworking people. The song 40 Hour Week reflects that, and it’s relatable. Kenworth – through its trucks and people – are the same. We feel we’re a part of their family, and they’re a part of ours. Like Alabama, Kenworth puts their heart and soul in all they do.”
Sidebar: Trucks: From Boyhood Love to Driving Reality
Josh Gentry still remembers it like it was yesterday. It was the day trucking began running through his veins. It was late March in 1988.
“Dad came and got me out of school – I was only eight – and he said I was going to spend the weekend with him out on the road. Well, I remember I was madder than all get out. I don’t recall why. But then he said we would be at a truck show (Mid America Trucking Show), and my attitude completely changed. I was going to see a bunch of trucks!”
Alabama was at MATS with Kenworth, and in a few nights, they’d be playing a free concert for truckers. So this was an opportunity for Teddy to not only thrill fans, but his son as well.
“Josh has loved trucks since he was old enough to know what a truck was,” recalled Teddy. “I remember he’d get mad at me if I didn’t get a room next to the interstate so he could watch trucks go by.”
A special treat was brewing. After arriving in Louisville, Teddy drove Josh by all the show trucks on display for judging. Then he got a special tour of the Kenworth booth before show hours. With Kenworth’s Wendy Leavitt (Ad/PR manager at the time) as his guide, he climbed into a Special Edition W900L “James Bond” truck and those toy trucks he played with quickly transformed into reality. “I was in awe. I wanted that truck so badly,” Josh recalled. “That started my love affair with trucks.”
“I will never forget that moment, but I especially love hearing Josh tell the story now,” said Wendy. “It was great fun to have Teddy and Josh ‘drop-by.’ When Josh climbed into the high-hood W900 James Bond truck and looked down, he announced to his dad and me that he was going to be a trucker when he grew up. I said, ‘When you are ready for a truck, come and see me.’ And now he’s driving a Kenworth himself.”
Soon, Josh was asking to go out on the road more often, and more often than not, he asked if he could ride in the Kenworths. Request granted. “Riding with Bobby Mince, Sammy Terrell and Chip Warterfield (some of the drivers for Alabama) was like a vacation for me,” said Josh. “Randy’s sister Reba and Verlon, his brother-in-law, were also drivers. It was absolutely amazing. Riding in the passenger seat, truckers would pull up beside us and wave, and say on the CB – ‘Roll on Alabama!’ Those childhood memories became adult realities.”
He started his own trucking journey in 2004, driving trucks on his dad’s farm, later working as a company driver for various companies. “When Josh got his CDL, he started driving all the old trucks we had around the farm,” recalled Teddy. “He worked his way up the ladder. He didn’t start out with the best, but now he drives the best. I’m proud of him. I know he’s safe out there on the road and it’s a good feeling having him out on the road with me.”
“For me, my dad has had a prominent career, and now I get to live in his bubble and experience everything through a working relationship side,” added Josh. “It’s special.”
While being on the road as father and son brings a smile to Josh’s face, so does the connection he has with truckers. “When a trucker drives by, gives a thumbs up, and ‘Roll on Alabama’ comes over the CB, it takes me back to when I was just a kid. It’s a wonderful thing. All truckers recognize that song. It’s a connection I never tire of.”
