If you’ve been reading this magazine for a while, you are probably familiar with many of the featured columns, the regular advertisers, and the great photos of trucks that we all admire. The show coverage and the stories about drivers and their rigs are, in my opinion, second to none. Its one thing to be given the details on a sweet ride, but it’s even more intriguing to hear the background stories of the folks behind the machine. Speaking of the people behind the scenes, I was recently talking to the “head honcho” of 10-4 Magazine (“Big E”) over the phone, and we were discussing the various contributors who help to get this magazine together and into the racks for all to see. It takes a myriad of cooperative people to get it done every month. What may get overlooked or taken for granted is the overall design and layout of each page in each issue. Each story is carefully edited and arranged to make the magazine as entertaining, informative and attractive as possible. The man responsible for such a task is Dan “The Man” Linss – a subtly written name on page 8 – that deserves so much thanks for the selfless use of his God-given skills and talents, to bless and expose the real true spirit of honest-to-goodness American truck drivers. Recently, Dan revealed the latest design for the 10-4 t-shirt which features my ‘81 Freightliner that I built as a tribute to my dad. I was absolutely floored at the sight of this incredible honor. Dan, I thank you sincerely for the opportunities you’ve given me and for the unparalleled professionalism you put into your work, simply to shine the light, and the camera, on others. God bless you, and good luck editing this one! Enjoy some humble pie.
DAN THE MAN (DTM)
By Trevor Hardwick
He’ll mark it on his calendar,
And book his room and flight.
He’ll rent his room and car and then,
He’ll drive on through the night.
He comes from California,
And that’s where he’s planted roots.
But he’s headed out to somewhere,
For a big-rig photo shoot.
He packs his clothes and camera,
He packs his pen and pad.
He packs along his patience,
Just in case the trip is bad.
He’ll reach his destination,
And then he’ll have a hoot!
Snappin’ lots of pictures,
At a big-rig photo shoot.
He meets a lot of people,
From every walk of life.
He’ll interview a driver,
And he’ll interview his wife.
He’ll write about the driver,
In an eloquent salute.
And then he’ll work his magic,
With a big-rig photo shoot.
He’ll stand around, shoot the breeze,
While taking mental notes.
He isn’t too concerned about,
Who’s getting all the votes.
He’s got a photogenic eye,
And he’s an editor, astute.
Capturing the essence,
At a big-rig photo shoot.
So, here’s to Daniel Linss,
Who’s also known as Dan-The-Man.
The man behind the scenes,
Of this-here issue in your hand.
If he ain’t at a truck show,
You can bet that he’s en route.
Heading out to somewhere,
For a big-rig photo shoot.