Country singer Lindsay Lawler shares how music and advocacy help strengthen community, support driver wellness, and spotlight the pride and purpose found on the road.
You’ve spent years connecting with drivers through music, advocacy, and now radio. What first inspired you to dedicate your work to the trucking community?
It really happened by chance. I was singing at a truck show in Dallas years ago and met the folks behind the Truckload Carriers Association’s Highway Angel program. I asked if I could write a song for them, and they said no, that it would be either cheesy or depressing. I did it anyway, and that song became their anthem. That’s when I realized how much trucking stories resonated with me. As an entertainer, I live on the road, too, so I connected with the drivers’ lives, their challenges, the loneliness, and the pride. From there, I started touring truck stops, writing songs, and using music to bring light to an industry most people don’t truly understand.
What are the biggest wellness or mental health challenges drivers face today?
One of the biggest challenges is isolation. Drivers spend so much time alone, and they just want to be heard. That’s why platforms like Road Gang Radio or Truckers’ Voices are important. Sometimes drivers call in just to talk, and that alone makes a difference. Health-wise, it’s tough to eat well on the road or find safe, clean places to rest. For female drivers, lighting, parking, and shower access are still real issues. At the end of the day, drivers want the same basic things everyone does: to feel safe, respected, fed, and valued.
You speak to drivers daily who often feel disconnected. What do you think helps build community in trucking?
Social media can help when used positively. If drivers use it to ask questions, share advice, or offer support, it’s a powerful tool. It only becomes harmful when it turns into venting without purpose. Beyond that, truck stops have always been community hubs. Programs like TA Petro’s Citizen Driver, where a stop is named after a driver, help create that home away from home. Events like the Mid-America Trucking Show or the Truckers Jamboree are also big morale boosters that remind drivers they are part of something bigger.
Technology is playing a growing role in the industry. What innovations do you think are helping drivers most?
I’m all for technology that makes drivers’ lives easier, not more complicated. Dash cams are a big deal because they protect drivers and also let others see the world through their eyes. Anything that helps them stay hands-free and connected, like better Bluetooth systems or streaming services such as EpicVue, can make a huge difference. Technology should support drivers so they can focus on what they do best: driving safely and getting home.
From all the stories you’ve heard, what’s one lesson from truckers that everyone could learn from?
They are some of the most misunderstood and hardworking people out there. There’s a stereotype that trucking is a last resort career, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many drivers are business owners, veterans, and providers who live amazing lives while seeing the country. Trucking isn’t a fallback; it’s an opportunity, and it’s open to anyone, whether you’re a woman, a veteran, or someone looking for freedom and purpose on the open road.
