Below Deck and Turnpike Troubadours: Who Are They?

July 1, 2025

Last night on Below Deck Season 12, the phrase Turnpike Troubadours sounded. For many of us in the musical know, this name sounded familiar. For those not in the know, let me quickly explain who the Turnpike Troubadours are and why their name recently arose on Bravo.

Why Below Deck has people talking about Turnpike Troubadours

Despite past seasons, Chief Stew Fraser Olender was all in after his recent charter guests requested a game of volleyball set against his crew. Once all parties arrived at their designated beach volleyball location, each team needed to create its team name. The Below Deck Season 12 crew members settled on the name Deckterior. As for the guests, they called themselves the Turnpike Troubadours.

The Turnpike Troubadours are an American country music band from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. No, these guests are not a part of this band. However, they are likely fans, since this name rolled so easily off their tongues during Episode 5. Luckily for them, they picked a winning name, as these guests beat the Season 12 crew by a landslide, not letting these yachties score once during their competition.

Also winning is the actual band behind their team name, The Turnpike Troubadours. Founded in 2005 by Evan Felker and R.C. Edwards, this group has since released six studio albums. However, Evan had a few off years due to his heightened alcohol consumption, which saw this band taking some time off from the studio. Thankfully, Evan and his band are now back in the saddle, cranking out singles and albums filled with their iconic honky-tonk signature sounds.

Perhaps the real Turnpike Troubadours might eye a yacht for their next respite period? And if so, boy, do we have a series they would fare well on. If not, we are sure that they are at least thankful for their Season 12 Below Deck charter guest fans, who are now causing their name to heavily trend online.

Below Deck continues Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.

TELL US – DID YOU CATCH THIS NAME AND THINK OF THE BAND, THE TUNRPIKE TROUBADOURS?

Amy is a former teacher who used reality television as a form of escapism during her decade spent in the classroom. In addition to education, she also studied and performed long-form improvisation while mastering the art of comedic sketch writing via the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC. Amy has interviewed reality television stars from the Real Housewives and Below Deck franchises, as well as each of the winners from E!'s OMG Fashun.