GBATS 2023: An OOIDA party

The Guilty By Association Truck Show returned to an in-person event in 2021, and the response was resounding.

Event organizer Bryan “Boss Man” Martin of 4 State Trucks said they even had to close registration early – at 800 trucks – to facilitate the 2021 show.

“It’s cool to see everybody out here and having fun again,” Martin said when Land Line spoke to him at the 2021 show.

Well, 2023 may even top the previous event, as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at the 13th GBATS on Sept. 21-23 in Joplin, Mo.

Pre-registration for GBATS is already open on the Chrome Shop Mafia website. For the first time in 2023, in-person registration will take place in the Petro parking lot. This will streamline the process and allow trucks to get registered faster and park sooner, said the GBATS website.

This year’s schedule includes concerts featuring Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye, Aaron Tippin and David Adam Byrnes, a monster truck jam, truck and tractor pull, celebrity appearances, trucker light show and the world’s largest convoy for the Special Olympics.

Kershaw, Raye and Tippin are performing as part of their Roots and Boots Tour. The three country music singers have combined for multiple gold records and dozens of Top 40 hits.

Best known for such songs as “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” and “Cadillac Style,” Kershaw released his first album in 1991.

Raye, who began his solo career in 1991, produced No. 1 hits “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “My Kind of Girl” and “I Can Still Feel You.”

Tippin, who still holds a CDL and is a life member of OOIDA, earned a recording contract with RCA Nashville in 1990. Some of his most popular songs include “Kiss This,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You” and “Working Man’s Ph.D.”

The convoy, a marquee event at GBATS, saw over 400 trucks take part in the 2021 convoy, which raised nearly $152,000 for the Special Olympics of Southwest Missouri.

“We want the trucking community to engage with our athletes and experience their joy and spirit,” Jana Fornelli, program manager for Special Olympics Missouri, said of the largest fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Southwest Missouri. “We really appreciate all the support. It makes a world of difference in everything we do.”

This year’s convoy will begin with the lead truck auction at 4 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 23. Staging of the convoy will begin at 5:45 p.m., and then will depart from 4 State Trucks at 6 p.m., heading north towards downtown Joplin. The convoy will park at Mercy Park for the street party and light show.

The convoy will be limited to Bobtails due to space. Participating trucks are encouraged to monitor CB channel 33 to expedite staging, coordination and parking.

More registration and event information for GBATS is available at https://ChromeShopMafia.com/Guilty-By-Association-Truck-Show/. LL

GBATS schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 20

All day – Truck registration – Far west end of Petro (follow signs)

Thursday, Sept. 21

All day – Truck registration

6:30 p.m. – Demolition Derby, west side of Highway 43, trackside

8:45-10 p.m. – After party and concert by David Adam Byrnes (Petro stage)

Friday, Sept. 22

8 a.m. – Store opens

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Food vendors

11-11:30 a.m. – Monster Truck Jam, west side of Highway 43

12 p.m. – Truck registration closes

12 – 5 p.m. – Kids zone and petting zoo

2:30-3 p.m. – Monster Truck Jam, west side of Highway 43

5 p.m. – Store closes

6:30 p.m. – Welcome

6:45 p.m. – Monster Truck Mania, Monster Truck Expo

7:30 p.m. – Truck and Tractor Pull, VIP seating area (bring lawn chairs)

10 p.m. – Fireworks

10:30 p.m. – End of Day 1

Saturday, Sept. 23

8 a.m. – Store opens

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Kids zone and petting zoo

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Wood carving exhibition (location TBA)

11 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Food vendors

10:30 – 11 a.m. – Monster Truck Jam, west side of Highway 43

12 p.m. – Kid Pedal Tractor Pull, west side of Highway 43, kid zone (ages 2-10 years)

1:30-4 p.m. – Wood carving exhibition (location TBA)

2-2:30 p.m. – Monster Truck Jam, west side of Highway 43

2-4 p.m. – Celebrity meet and greet, west side of Highway 43

2:30-5 p.m. – Participant plaque pickup. Need plaque coupon to receive (info tent – storefront)

4 p.m. – Convoy auction (Petro stage)

4-4:30 p.m. – Monster Truck Jam, west side of Highway 43

4:30 p.m. – Mandatory driver’s meeting Special Olympics Convoy, Petro stage

4:45 p.m. – Truck show awards, Petro stage

5 p.m. – Store closes

6 p.m. – Convoy 800-plus big rig departure

7-10 p.m. – Downtown street party, downtown Joplin

7:45 p.m. – Trucker Light Show, downtown Joplin

8 p.m. – Roots and Boots Concert featuring Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin

10 p.m. – Official show end