More than a century in the making: How a 1919 cross-country convoy inspired the modern interstate system
This story is the final installment of a four-part series. To read Part 1, click here. To read Part 2, click here. To read Part
Kris Rutherford
- About Kris Rutherford
- Since retiring from a career as an outdoor recreation professional from the State of Arkansas, Kris Rutherford has worked as a freelance writer and, with his wife, owns and publishes a small Northeast Texas newspaper, The Roxton Progress. Kris has worked as a ghostwriter and editor and has authored seven books of his own. He became interested in the trucking industry as a child in the 1970s when his family traveled the interstates twice a year between their home in Maine and their native Texas. He has been a classic country music enthusiast since the age of nine when he developed a special interest in trucking songs.
Posts by Kris Rutherford
Gary P. Nunn: How an Oklahoma native became an icon in Texas country music
How does an Oklahoma native become an icon of Texas country music? For answers, we need look no further than the life and career of
It took a century for Eisenhower’s interstate vision to come true — and the system is still growing
This story is Part 3 of a series. To read Part 1, click here. To read Part 2, click here. The 1919 transcontinental convoy changed
Is your fleet future-proof? Tariff uncertainty gives carriers reason to pause fleet replacement cycle
In times of economic uncertainty business owners in all sectors tend to think long and hard before investing their money in capital expenses. In the
‘Trucker Country’ aptly describes genre of music to travel by
Trucking songs, truck driving songs, road songs, songs to travel by — these terms apply to the music the stereotypical truck driver tends to listen
The 1919 transcontinental convoy changed freight movement in America (Part 2)
This story is Part 2 of a series. To read Part 1, click here. When Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower documented the trek of
Tackling the issues: TCA provides tools to help carriers clarify rules regarding English proficiency and contractor classification
Legal aspects of the trucking industry are in a constant state of flux. Whether it’s executive level decision-making, broker concerns, or safety compliance, trends in
Storyteller Jim Croce played give and take with country music
When folk-soft rock singer Jim Croce died in a plane crash in 1973, his career as a musician had barely started. Since embarking on a
Greening your fleet: Fuel efficiency has strong impact on vehicle emissions
In the trucking industry, the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) comes down to one primary factor — fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, no “one size
The 1919 transcontinental convoy changed freight movement in America (Part 1)
By 1919, America’s troops had returned from World War I having experienced the first significant use of mechanized warfare. During the war, trucks played a
Janie Fricke went from background singer to center stage
In the 1970s, Janie Fricke basked in the glow of stardom as an anonymous entertainer, making a living as a backup singer. During the decade,
New York’s Tappan Zee: How a failed expedition led to a major traffic corridor
In 1609, as explorer Henry Hudson ventured up the river that would one day bear his name in New York state, he must have been
Bring on the biofuels: RINs can help carriers plot course to reduced emissions
The use of biofuels, such as renewable diesel to power commercial vehicles has become increasingly common in the U.S. as the trucking industry works to
David Ball’s ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ was the shot that propelled his career
David Ball didn’t break through on the country music scene until he was 41 years old, but he had been working since childhood for the
HOV lanes: What are they and how do they impact truck drivers?
If you’ve traveled urban areas of the U.S. for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed the increasing prevalence of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes
George Strait’s early albums set the standard for a record-breaking career
In Rodney Atkins’ 2011 hit “Take a Back Road,” he makes mention of the comeback of classic country music in the early 1980s. While sitting
From the days of ox-drawn wagons to modern times, toll roads have stirred controversy
If you’ve been around a while, you probably remember the days in the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and beyond, when “stop-and-pay” toll booths were a fixture
Second Trump administration eyes human resources practices
Before President Donald Trump began his second term in March, he made it clear he had a lot of executive orders up his sleeve. Many
FMCSA’s new motor carrier registration system is designed to prevent fraud and identity theft
From identity theft to outright cargo heists, fraud is a growing concern in the freight industry. In an effort to stem the fraud epidemic, the
Ray Benson hauls the load for Asleep at the Wheel
It’s not often you’ll hear me talk about a Jewish native of Philadelphia carved out his mark as one of the most noted western swing