By Joseph Andrew Lee

Keifer and Shawna Thompson of the multiplatinum duo Thompson Square couldn’t be more proud to be supporting the men and women serving in America’s military. For the fourth year in a row, the husband-and-wife duo will be leading their Rollin’ For a Reason charity motorcycle ride and concert to benefit the USO of Nashville.

“Country music has a very special, unique relationship with middle-class America and with the military,” said Keifer Thompson. “It’s the genre of music that tells their story I think more than any other, and it’s just kind of like hot fudge and ice cream, it just goes good together.”

In partnership with Music City Indian, the annual ride will kick off at the Kroger in Springfield, Tennessee, on Sunday, October 21. Riders will travel through the scenic barbecue and bourbon backroads of Tennessee all the way to Natchez Hill Winery at Fontanel, just north of Nashville. Upon arrival, participants will enjoy a special live performance by Thompson Square and will even have a chance to win a brand new Indian Chief Classic, courtesy of Indian Motorcycle.

“It’s a beautiful bike,” said Keifer Thompson, who was given the cherry red motorcycle weeks in advance so that he can give it away to one lucky winner the day of the ride. “I hope someone wins it who can’t afford to go buy it, you know, that would a great story.”

According to Keifer, support from Indian Motorcycle came together naturally and easily.

“I was out in Sturgis (South Dakota) a couple years ago and found myself in a garage with these guys and it turns out they were suits from Polaris and Indian corporate,” he said. “They were big fans of country music and fans of the USO, so it was a very quick conversation.”

It’s the best bike made in America, and I love that it’s the oldest bike made in America,” added Thompson. “The shape, the branding – everything – I’m just enamored with it.”

For Kari Moore, center director of USO Nashville, the annual ride is an opportunity to come together and connect with old friends and supporters of the USO and of the military.

It feels like a family reunion every year now,” said Moore. “Thompson Square has a handful of songs that just speak to the heart, so to be connected to a duo like that is really exciting – but then when you get to know them, they are the kindest people and they come at this from a place that’s totally genuine. Their drive to keep this event going makes it so easy for us to be the beneficiary each year.”

Registration for the ride begins at 10 a.m. and the ride starts at 1 p.m. Fees are $25 for drivers and $10 for passengers, with each person receiving a T-shirt and a chance to win a new Indian Chief Classic, courtesy of Indian Motorcycle.