Wythe County business featured on CMT’s “Trick My Truck” show

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY
The Wytheville Enterprise
Published: February 27, 2008

Local fans of CMT’s hit television series, “Trick My Truck,” can see the owner of a Fort Chiswell business featured in 10 episodes this season.

They should check listings for broadcast times. Kelvin Locklear of Florence, S.C., is the leader of the show’s truck builders now known as Outcast Kustoms.

He and his wife April own K&L Chrome Shop in Florence and the one on East Lee Highway at Fort Chiswell which is managed by his in-laws, Charles and Susanne Jordan, who reside in the Graham’s Forge community. “

I grew up in a trucking family,” Locklear stated earlier this week by telephone from South Carolina. “My father owned a trucking company. I got into the customizing business about eight years ago.” He noted the TV series is about helping hard working truckers by taking their truck and totally customizing it. The producers, Locklear said, concoct a unique theme for each truck based on the driver’s interest.

“I knew the producers,” he stated. “I’d done an episode on Outrageous Rigs on the Travel Channel about three years ago. It’s definitely different. You have to take a different approach.” According to Locklear, the episodes of “Trick My Truck” are filmed in Joplin, Mo. Each one takes hundreds of hours to complete. “It’s definitely different,” he remarked. “You have to take a different approach to be camera friendly. The producers fly us back and forth.”

His wife also owns and operates Carolina Custom Lettering. Her parents manage the Wythe County business.

“We went to the premiere show last Saturday in Florence,” Susanne Jordan said. “It was a lot of fun. CMT is showing the first episode 15 times this week.” K&L Chrome Shop opened locally in May 2004. It features installation of custom made accessories and parts for tractor trailers. “My husband is a former truck driver,” Mrs. Jordan commented. “He found this location. There are a lot of trucks through here.” Charles Jordan does the local shop work. He is assisted by Zack Eaton.

The South Carolina shop has 21 employees. It opened in 2001. The local business also is involved in the community. It has donated to the playground equipment fund at Max Meadows Elementary School and is among the sponsors of the car show at the Fort Chiswell Outlet Mall. “We appreciate the community’s support,” Mrs. Jordan added. “We thank everyone for making us feel so welcome.”

Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .