steel playing truck drivers?

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 7 Jan 2009 4:40 pm

Hey Johnny:

Like you, I drove the tour bus when I was a full-time steeler for Gene and others. That started in the 70s. I started driving a tractor-trailer when I was a teenager, driving a 40' grain trailer to the elevator in town with my uncle when I worked at his farm in Nebraska in the summer months. That was around 1971.

I left Gene in the late 80s when my mother became terminally ill. I went to work for the railroad as a conductor for 15 mos. and loved it until they were going to relocate me. This didn't work as I needed to be close by for my folks. So I went to work driving charter buses, trucks and school buses. I had my CDL which then was a Class One/Two but became an "A" in 1990 with "P", "N" and "X" endorsements. I took a bunch of courses and got a bunch of certifications. In 1990 I became Transportation Director at a school district. Great pay but VERY stressful with 3000 kids each day as my responsibility. I did this for 14 yrs. then needed a break from the stress and long hours as the department administrator. I went to work at another district as the Head Driver CDL Trainer (a little less stress)and now have just a couple years left to get my state retirement which will include health insurance for both me and my wife. So it all worked out very well, thank God. I'll be 56 or 57 when I "retire" from the state... I hope to go back to music full-time !!

I would suggest looking into a school district as a bus driver for you. Most here in the northeast pay a very good hourly wage and offer a choice of really good health insurance plans. In NY state district drivers and employees are eligible for the state retirement system also and are vested in 5 yrs. Texas may be different. You do have to consider that you'll have to deal with the students on the bus. It's not for everybody !!! Nice thing is... you're home each night. I know many musicians who do this as it works pretty good for getting to play gigs. I do the buses and still play a bunch of gigs for Commander Cody. Let me know how you make out.

BTW- Tony sent me a copy of his CD... you played great on there man.

Good Luck Johnny and keep me posted.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" O.

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 7 Jan 2009 5:33 pm

Johnny C., Tiny beat me to the punch about the school bus thing. But I'll add that it's usually a split shift, so you can wood shed, or have a snooze if you played a gig the night before.Could be lots of time off in the summer, too. But you need to be a patient man, and it probably wouldn't hurt to like kids...

Best of luck to you, however it works out.
CR.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 14 Jan 2009 9:59 am

Thanks guys for your input. Tiny good to hear from you. School bus drivers don't make much money where I live and I don't have the patience. I'm still working on the trucking thing. I may have a job with Swift Transportation. Everyone else says it's been too long since I drove a semi and require one year experience within the past three years. Then some companies want me to go through the $6k school. If I had $6k laying around I would'nt be looking so hard. God is in control of it all and He will help me find the right job with the right company. This is something that I have to do at this point in my life if I ever want to think about retiring. There is no retirement for sidemen unless you are part of the 1% that gets into studio work. And that aint me.

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 14 Jan 2009 10:04 am

Just so you know Johnny those swift drivers are sitting around alot out there. Thats all I heard when I was on the road was people complaining there was no freight.

I got all the way through my training and they decided they were going to have a hiring freeze. So I am back at home now.

Hope it turns out better for you. Try to get into Reefer, as that is what is moving most in this economy. Even that ground to a halt before Christmas. Hopefully things have picked back up a little.

Whip Lashaway · Post by **Whip Lashaway** » 14 Jan 2009 11:08 am

Lots of truck drivers in my family. Never drove truck but did do the bus drivin thing for Pete and Daryle. It all got started because I wanted to get headed home after the last show of the trip. I told Pete I'd drive through the night while they all slept and save him the hotel money. He dug the idea and that's the way we did it for several years. Then he hired a fulltime driver and I just sort of subbed for him on the really long trips. Good luck Johnnie. You're way to monster on the steel to forced to take a drivin job. It's a sad state when you can't use you're real talent!

Love ya man. God Bless, Whip.

Brad Issendorf · Post by **Brad Issendorf** » 15 Jan 2009 5:30 pm

I don't drive truck, but I've been fixing them for almost 20 years. Especially the last few days in this sub zero stuff trying to get bio diesel to squeeze through the micro fine filtration of the newer fuel systems. Nothing quite like standing along side the road in the wind getting them running again.

Johnny, I just wanted you to know that it is a true shame that a man of your abilities has to survive doing something un-related. The job that you did building my new guitar was outstanding, as is your playing. Good luck and hopefully things will improve in the near future.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 16 Jan 2009 11:42 pm

Brad, thanks a bunch. I have a company that will hire me as long as I pass their road test and pre trip inspection. I know I can drive anything but after ten years away from a truck my chops are down. It will be a couple weeks before a seat comes open in orientation. If I could find a a forumite driver that would take me with him for a few days I could get my chops back and ace the road test. I really don't care to go to the 6k school. I'll barter licks for miles and practice.

HELP

Leann Sharp · Post by **Leann Sharp** » 17 Jan 2009 12:46 am

Deleted

Jani Peter Sandvik · Post by **Jani Peter Sandvik** » 17 Jan 2009 5:31 am

count me in too. drove in scandinavia

Fred Malone · Post by **Fred Malone** » 17 Jan 2009 4:12 pm

Retired in Feb.2008 after 42 years over-the-road and I don't miss it one bit, so far. The only thing I really miss is the friends I've made running with them. But I still keep up with them and call them a lot, and a lot of other things too.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 22 Jan 2009 8:52 pm

Well folks I think I have a job as long as I pass the road test. It's been 11 years so now I'm on a mission to find an owner operator to take me out for a few days so I can get my chops up. Truck driving is a lot like playing steel, you never forget you just get rusty. Wish me luck.
Leann Sharp, I'm curious to know what got deleted.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 22 Jan 2009 9:17 pm

Best of luck Johnny. Two years ago I could have hooked you up with a great rig and good pay.No relocating because the route passed thru Dallas.

Times are tough. But a good driver that's a good person. Can get and keep a job. I think you'll do well.