Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85445
Country Singles chart. Other classics written by Gentry include "1959" (John Anderson), "Drinkin' and Drivin'" (Johnny Paycheck), "The Chicken in Black" (Johnny Cash), "We Didn't See a Thing" (Ray Charles and George Jones) and "Who Cares" (Ray Charles and Janie Frickie). "I came to Nashville to be a recording artist and songwriter, but I was told that I couldn't sing," Gentry jokes. "I went to work managing a liquor store and selling real estate. I got some of the lines for my songs from people who came into the liquor store." The classic line "hotter than a $2 pistol" in the Celebrity Series Corvette song came from a lawn service man who was describing the warm weather. While he had great success, the award-winning songwriter battled alcohol and drug addiction at the height of his songwriting career. Soon after going through rehab, and with the music industry changing, he decided it was time for a new gig. In 1989, Gentry traded his Cadillac lifestyle for the open road. "I was getting my royalty checks, but I needed something else to make a decent living," Gentry says. "I had driven trucks while I was for me. I feel right at home driving Join us for our free Celebrity Series live chat featuring songwriter Gary Gentry. When: Monday, Sept. 17 at 9 p.m. EDT a truck. I am a trucker, and I say it with pride. Even with the DOT interfering in everything, the great thing about trucking is freedom you don't get anywhere else." Today, Gentry, who lives near for McElroy Truck Lines, but he also keeps his hand in the music industry. He is currently mentoring and promoting former "American Idol" contestant Vanessa Wolfe of eastern Tennessee. "I write every day," he says. "When I retire in a couple of years, I'm gonna take my royalties, cash in on my 401(k) and work the bars playing my music." Where: Overdrive Online.com/Celebrity Sponsored by: Text INFO to 50298 or visit ovdinfo.com September 2012 | Overdrive | 45 LIVE CHAT