Heading up this Overdrive Radio special edition are the words and guitar of none other than Guy Archer, a professional driver with Airgas who’s on his way to Nashville early next month for the recording session that was the prize for his big win last month in the 2021 Overdrive/Red Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search.

In this edition of the podcast we give the podcast listeners the pleasure of running through the three Talent Search finalists’ excellent entries into that competition, this year having wrapped up its 8th year in existence. Before that, though, catch a window on a special program -- the gala awards presentation at the Truckload Carriers Association’s Truckload 2021 conference out in Las Vegas last week.

It features introductions to the Company Driver of the Year with Overdrive sister magazine Truckers News, and our own Owner-Operator of the Year. The convention center ballroom setting -- with a festive stage flanked by giant screens -- saw each contender telling parts of their stories, in their own words, reflecting on the difficulties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year plus, and much more.

It’s a special program, ultimately, and one you're encouraged to take part in this year – the nomination period for owner-operator and company driver of the year is open now through October 25: https://www.overdriveonline.com/business/article/15114873/nomination-period-open-for-owneroperator-of-the-year-contest

Here's a big congrats to driver Betty Aragon and owner-operator Bryan Smith for their winning recognitions, and fellow finalists Dennis Cravener and owner-operators Glen Horack and Doug Schildgen. Read more about them all via http://overdriveonline.com/owner-operator-of-the-year