Rob Richardson, a cast member during all five seasons of CMT’s “Trick My Truck” television show, died suddenly on December 8, 2014 of an apparent heart attack at his home in Webb City, Missouri. He was 41. Nicknamed “Hotwire” because of his electrical skills, Richardson owned Rob’s Audio Solutions, an automotive customizing shop in nearby Joplin, Missouri. Considered one of the best audio installers in the nation, he specialized in creating complex designs that, in his words, “jump out and bite you.” Rob and his close friend Ryan “Ryno” Templeton, along with Bryan “Bossman” Martin, Rod and Kevin Pickett, and a few others, were among the original Chrome Shop Mafia crew on the show. The reality series, which premiered in 2006, featured their work in turning trucks into elaborate tributes to their owners, and quickly became the most popular series on CMT. In interviews, Richardson said he hoped “Trick My Truck” would put a positive spin on the trucking industry – and it did. Richardson’s survivors include his wife Heather and daughters Makala and Meagan Pippin. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rob’s family and friends.
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He was a very creative man on just about every episode of the show. On the Inferno truck, he lets the camera show to the audience both the right way and the wrong way to lay out your wiring for installing audio and visual equipment in a truck. With many hi-tech stuff he put into the trucks are really useful tools for the truckers. He would install top-of-the line components. He really hasn’t gone away. Not for those who loved him.