By: Chuck Miller
Uncategorized, Writing

Does lightning strike twice in ten years?

Background.

Ten years ago, I won a major travel industry writing award, when my piece on C.W. McCall’s “Convoy” Top 40 hit won “Best of 2003” from the Truck Writers of North America.  That award still hangs prominently at my place.

Now we move forward to ten weeks ago, when my editor at RoadKing Magazine, Nancy Henderson, asked me for a “headshot” photo.

“Sure,” I said… “but why do you need one of me?”

“We just entered your ‘Shipping on a Shoestring’ article on the Shipping Wars TV series to the TWNA’s.  We think it has a chance to win an award.”

TWNA-MedalWhoa. The Shipping Wars article previously earned a silver medal at the International Automotive Media Awards.  So could it earn another medal with the TWNA’s?

The TWNA (Truck Writers of North America) Awards are a big deal.  That’s where my Convoy story took the top prize.  The festivities are held at one of the largest truck and travel expositions, the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  Unfortunately, my schedule won’t permit me to travel that weekend, but if I could, you know I would go.  So I’m kinda hoping that Nancy Henderson will go to the event and let me know how things turn out.

Also, if you’re a fan of the Shipping Wars TV series, you know that the program lost one of its main character, Roy Garber.  Garber, whose brusque style was punctuated with phrases like “A nickel’s holding up a dollar” and “Perfect, just like me,” passed away last January from a heart attack.  He was only 49.  Here’s some of his best moments.

So I’m waiting for news – any news – that would let me know if my Shipping Wars story snagged yet another award.  I’m checking my BlackBerry so many times… anything.  Vibrate, dang you.  Play a ring tone, for crying out loud.

Here, watch this clip from Shipping Wars while I wait for the phone to ring.

Okay… now I wait. Again.  I’m checking every Internet search engine, typing in “TWNA Awards 2014” and “RoadKing Awards” and every possible combination.

I even found the Truck Writers of North America’s Facebook page.  No news.

Okay, one last attempt.  I wrote a message on TWNA’s Facebook wall.  I received a link to the 2014 press kit.  I slowly scrolled up the PDF with the media award winners’ names and articles.  RoadKing picked up five bronze awards for media excellence.  Nope.  My name’s not among those five.

Scroll forward.  Silver awards.  Six more awards for RoadKing.  Unfortunately, my name is not among them.

Slow scroll forward.  Gold awards.

.

You hear that, people?  GOLD MEDAL!!  YEAH, BAY BEE!!

Okay.  All the gold medal magazine winners are eligible for Best of Division.  Scrolling down the page and…

Magazine Writing
Road King – And We’re Rolling – Nancy Henderson

Okay, I didn’t win Best of Magazines, but you know who did?  My editor at RoadKing, Nancy Henderson!  Fantastic!  She’s a good editor and I’ve enjoyed working with her for the better part of I don’t know how long.

Okay, now let’s cross our fingers and see if Nancy can get Best of 2013.  Come on, bring that trophy back to Parthenon Publishing’s home offices, and –

Best of 2013 Award
Today’s Trucking – August 2012 Issue – Rolf Lockwood, Peter Carter & Frank Scatozza

So close.  But you know what?  RoadKing took fifteen medals at the TWNA Awards, including three golds, of which one of those golds was mine.  And we also took Best of Magazines.  Big fat aces every time.

You know what?  I feel like celebrating.  Hit it, Dave Dudley!!