Drive and deliver

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One of the highlights of this year’s Great American Trucking Show in Dallas was the Aug. 22 premiere of the documentary film, “Drive and Deliver.” Show attendees, media and industry leaders turned out for the red carpet, dubbed a “Tread Carpet” event. The 45-minute film is branded entertainment sponsored by International Trucks and profiles three long-haul truckers as they drive across the country in their new International LoneStars.

Director Brett Morgen, in partnership with International Trucks, based his film’s message on interviews with more than 700 long-haul drivers who reported their dismay with the persistent poor public image of truckers. Morgen – an award-winning producer and director of documentaries – cast the movie after auditioning hundreds of truckers. The three featured drivers represent various segments of the industry.

Steven Donaldson, of Fayetteville, Ohio, is a 58-year old father of three and a lifelong trucker. He owns lots of toys, including a Harley and a helicopter. He also has a small fleet of work trucks, including long-haul. He represents the modern, technologically savvy owner-operator.

Tim Young, of Flat Rock, Ala., is a southern gentleman and a devoted husband and father to his wife, Trisha, and their three children. He wears cowboy boots and a hat, and swaggers as if he were more Old West cowboy than concrete cowboy. A native Alabamian, he hauls a tanker during the week and returns home on the weekends, representing the hard-working family man.

Chris Lecount of Goshen, Ind., represents the young guns. He’s a 28-year-old trucker who is married with children. His hobbies include singing karaoke with other trucker buddies and helping out around the family homestead.

All three give their own perspective of the industry, along with their honest reviews of the new LoneStar they drove for the filming. There’s also plenty of gorgeous footage of the open road, lots of shots of the LoneStar truck and a tremendous soundtrack of classic trucker favorites by Merle Haggard, the Marshall Tucker Band, Hank Williams and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The intended audience, truckers, gave the film an enthusiastic response at the Aug. 22nd screening.

The film will be available for viewing at more than 50 truck stops and then will be released on DVD and sold through the film’s website (www.driveanddeliver.com) and at truck stops. Proceeds will go toward an American Trucking Associations fund that helps Iraq war veterans transition into trucking careers.