The name “Truck Stop Poets” comes from the late great father to our very own Will Mendenhall, Larry Mendenhall. Through his formidable late teens/early 20’s, Will’s home was the road. While many others were waking up to work their 9-5, Will was waking up to the sounds of the driver of a Greyhound announcing the next stop. Like Kerouac and Dylan, he was always looking for the next story he could evolve into art. Because of this choice in lifestyle, his father would deem him the “Truck Stop Poet”.

After many years of being on the road, Will found himself back in Fort Smith, AR, where he reunited with his childhood friend, Tony Fusher. Together they would become the original and longest standing members of the “Truck Stop Poets”. Along the way many would come and go. Some leaving a lasting impression and others just blowing through like the wind. That is until the Poets teamed up with local bassist, Mark Varnadore. Mark’s loose but purposeful bass playing accompanied Tony’s tight and eccentric drum style to create a rhythm section so new yet familiar to the ear at the same time.

Though Will had spent majority of his life on the road, he knew he had a home in Arkansas. And the main reason for that was his strong bond with his family. Enter Nick Peckenpaugh, Will’s youngest cousin. Coming from a background of playing in jam bands, Nick was able to provide a new improvisational/psychedelic element to the Poets sound.

The Poets weren’t done yet. There was still a missing piece. And that missing piece was Fort Smith native and another cousin to Will… Caleb Mendenhall. Caleb’s ability to listen and communicate musically added an element to the Poets sound that is indescribable.

The Truck Stop Poets are akin to your favorite pair of well worn jeans. Will’s lyrics and compositions are the fabric. Tony and Mark are the pocket(s). Nick’s playing adds the small but unique imperfections and Caleb is the zipper that holds it all together.