VIDEO: The return of Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers

The sky was crying outside the rehearsal shack in Falmouth last week. Inside, an electric guitar wailed right back, telling a story of whiskey and a lost love. Then Scott Link’s voice rolled in behind, filling in the woeful details.

Link used to be known as Diesel Doug. That was back when he and his band, the Long Haul Truckers, were cutting a honky-tonk swath up and down the eastern seaboard. They released three critically acclaimed albums and shared the stage with a handful of great country and roots acts — including a show with Willie Nelson at the Bangor auditorium.

That was nearly ten years ago. In September 2005, they vanished.
“Ten years ago we were bitter old men who had hit the ceiling,” said Link, who counts Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and Steve Earle as influences

But now, Link is dusting off his alter ego and rehearsing a new group of Long Haul Truckers in preparation for a show at the Empire in Portland on July 3.

“I’ve just had people over the years just keep coming back and asking if we’re going to get back together,” he said

Replacing the original Truckers are Matt Robbins from King Memphis and Murcielago on guitar, Erik Glockler from Strangefolk on bass and Ginger Cote, who has toured with Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams, on Drums.

Link said to expect a lively set of Diesel Doug favorites and some new material as well. King Memphis and “Jumpstart” Jenny Whitter are opening the show Thursday at 9 p.m. The doors will open at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10. The Empire is at 575 Congress Street in Portland.

Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers frontman Scott Link rehearses with the band Wednesday night in Falmouth as the group returns to the stage nearly 10 years after their last gig. The band will make its return at the Empire in Portland on Thursday night July 3 with King Memphis and "Jumpstart" Jenny Whittier opening the show. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers frontman Scott Link rehearses with the band Wednesday night in Falmouth as the group returns to the stage nearly 10 years after their last gig. The band will make its return at the Empire in Portland on Thursday night July 3 with King Memphis and “Jumpstart” Jenny Whittier opening the show. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

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Troy R. Bennett

About Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett is a Buxton native and longtime Portland resident whose photojournalism has appeared in media outlets all over the world.