In 2003, I penned an article on C.W. McCall and the song "Convoy" for RoadKing magazine, a publication available at all TravelCenters of America truck stops and roadside cafes. You can read the article at this link. The article was published, and I went on to my next articles for that magazine. But a few weeks ago, I was informed by my editor that my article had been nominated for a communications award from the Truck Writers of North America, an industry organization devoted to truck drivers and their rigs.
At their annual banquet and awards ceremony, held in Louisville, Kentucky as part of the Mid-America Trucking Show, I was sitting at the table with my editor, Lisa Waddle, and several other members of the RoadKing staff. First, a little information about the awards - each entry was voted on by a jury of peers, who then voted on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best. Bronze awards were given to entries with a score of 85-91; silver awards were given to entries with a score of 92-96; and gold awards were bestowed on those entries with a score of 97 or above. RoadKing took home six awards, including three bronzes for the RoadKing 2004 Media Kit, the article "Surviving the Holidays" by Mandy Fones, and "Three Chords and the Truth", by Russ Ringsak. RoadKing also won three gold awards, for the articles "Double Vision," by Paul Abelon; "Buckin' and Truckin'," edited by Lisa Waddle; and ... my Convoy article.
That's me picking up my gold award for Convoy, standing with a representative from Kenworth, one of the award sponsors.
Then, all the "gold" awards in the magazines division that had scored a 98% or better were judged against each other as "Best of Division." And to my surprise, when they announced "Convoy Rides Again" had won "Best of Magazines," I was absolutely surprised. But there it was, on the plaque - Chuck Miller, Parthenon Publishing, RoadKing Magazine, "Convoy Rides Again," Best of Magazines 2003.
That's me receiving the "Best of Magazines" award for Convoy, standing with a representative of Caterpillar, the award sponsor for the Best of Division series.
Now at this point, there was one more award left in the pipeline - an award for "Best of 2003," in which my article on Convoy would compete against Bette S. Garber's book "Custom Semi-Trucks," and The Eaton Corp.'s Vehicle Diagnostic Scanner Brochure.
By this time, I thought I was completely out of my league. Not in a thousand years did I think my article would win against a book on custom semi-trucks and a brochure on vehicle diagnostic scanners. Especially when the announcer said that the winning entry for "Best of 2003" received a perfect 100% score from the judges.
And when the announcer said "The story of a chart hit..." I couldn't believe it. I had actually won Best of 2003 from the Truck Writers of North America, for Convoy Rides Again!! YAA HOO!!!
That's me receiving the "Best of 2003" award from a representative of RoadRanger, the sponsor of the "Best of 2003" award.
In other words, I just received my first writing awards - and they include "Best of 2003" by the prestigious Truck Writers of North America! At this moment, I would like to thank my editor, Lisa Waddle, and the staff of RoadKing / Parthenon Publications. I also want to thank Walter R. Haessner, the Executive Director of the International Society for Vehicle Preservation; Tom Kelley, the Executive Director of the Truck Writers of North America; all the judges for TWNA; as well as the sponsors, who are listed below with clickable links.
I also want to congratulate my fellow competitors on their awards, and I have provided links to their articles in this webpage.
Looks like that Convoy article just won't quit. On November 16, 2004, my Roadking article on C.W. McCall and "Convoy" won a silver medal for entertainment writing at the 2004 International Automotive Media Awards, hosted by the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society, at Sardi's in New York. The award was part of the organization's 2004 Foundation Awards, and was awarded a silver medal in the "Entertainment" issue, and was one of three RoadKing submissions to receive awards. I will post a picture of the silver medal on my awards page as soon as I receive the award. Thanks and much appreciation to all people involved in this project.
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