Dennis "Kazoo" Shipman

by Dennis Shipman
(Newburgh, NY)

Slick, hip and full of wit... 'member that character back in the day from the Flintstones named "Kazoo" now you see him, now you don't. Well that's me. Got over 30 years in trucking and transportation at virtually every level from driver helper to owner.


Started off humping freight in a straight job as a kid for distribution companies servicing JFK Airport. This was when the Airports were still mobbed up in and 'round NYC before the big Lufthansa heist in 1979, which infamy still has its legacy in being the bigger thief to this day. It was profiled in the movie, "Goodfellas" starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci. Trust me, I 'member those slick talking cats coming through the warehouses with their Gucci suits, bulging waistbands with the distinct outlines, and greased back hair. Nothing to be played with, if you wanted another day on top of the ground.

This Italian guy saw I was crazy 'bout trucks, and he taught me how to drive an old single axle Jimmy. It had a screaming 6-71 Detroit V-8 with 13 forward, 2 back, and no power steering. What you want luxury? Why'd he do that?

I would say that rest is history but I am still evolving, and trying to figure out what I wanna do when I grow up. The trucking industry has gone through some significant changes since I started out as a teenager back in the late '70s, not all good. Too many rascals out here on the big road.

So, I don't do the 14 and 2, or 21 and 3 any longer. I already paid those dues, and gave at the office as well. I stick mostly around the way... I'm not adverse to pull a load out of town if its going my way, but mostly I just share my wisdom, hustle a trip every now and then, and see what next adventure will pull me out of my lethargy and back on the big road.

I love this trucking industry. But its a hardscrabble life except for the most persistent, hard headed son of a gun out there. At the end of the day, 99.9% of every in our homes got to at least the store by a weary trucker driving overnight in most cases to get it there. So, recognize. I be Zazoo, and I be gone, doggnit. 10-4?

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Nov 01, 2015
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I have been assigned NEW
by: Anonymous

I have been assigned to do a report for our school newspaper on this subject, and your post has been beneficial. Can you please add more reference to this topic, thanks.
meet greet manchester airport

Aug 29, 2010
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Homepage
by: Dennis "Kazoo" Shipman

That's right doggonit. Somebody need to school these young gear jammers cause they got the big road all screwed up. Not because of their driving (which is bad enough) skills or lack thereof, absence of civility, or camaraderie but 'cause these young cats will drive for practically nothing just to get behind the wheel of a "large car" drawn to that all that chrome and those bells and whistles like a moth to the flame... I'm like Jerry McQuire "show me the money".

I be Kazoo, and I be gone, doggonit. 10-4.

Aug 29, 2010
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Good Ol Days
by: American trucker

I learned in a 74 Mack dual stick cab-over.with 28" steer wheel or bigger maybe.oh yeah my kidneys still hurt.

Have a great day catch u on flip.
American trucker
out n about

Damn Kazoo i think were dating ourselves out here
but we tell young diesel sniffers how to get it done.

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