Square dancing on 66

The Ozark Whirlers is a square-dance club that has been based in Eldon, Mo., for 52 years, and the group still meets for dances at least twice a month, according to a feature article in the Lake Sun Leader of Camdenton, Mo. Many members are in their 70s. And the dancers must have had some … Continue reading Square dancing on 66

For sale: Microsoft’s old digs

Microsoft, as just about anyone who owns a computer knows, is one of the biggest companies in the world. Did you know it has a connection to Route 66, albeit peripheral? Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in an office building barely a block off Route 66 in Albuquerque, at 6320 Linn … Continue reading For sale: Microsoft’s old digs

Putting back the neon

Dwayne of New Zealand posted a bunch of videos weeks ago from his summer Route 66 trip, but I missed this one. Here, he talks to Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., as he's about to install new neon lighting in July. The previous neon was destroyed by a severe … Continue reading Putting back the neon

Joliet museum honored

The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Ill., was given a Superior Achievement Award -- the highest ranking possible -- from the Illinois Association of Museums for its Route 66 Experience exhibit. The Joliet museum received the award last month. Route 66ers John and Lenore Weiss alerted me to this information.

“Girl on the Billboard”

Finally found a video of Del Reeves singing his biggest hit, "Girl on the Billboard," that I could embed here. This clip is from 1965. Listen closely for the Route 66 reference near the end.

“Here I am walking down 66 …”

I couldn't find Charley Pride performing "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone" on YouTube. But I did find Buck Owens covering it. And that's Buck's longtime cohort, Don Rich, playing fiddle and providing backup vocals. "Here I am walking down 66, wishing she hadn't done me that way ..." 

A couple of globe trotters

KOTV in Tulsa caught up with Ezra Cooley, the cowboy who wants to circle the globe on horseback and raise money for the National Children's Cancer Society. Much of his path is on Route 66. The video segment is here. The story is here.

Play it loud

Here's a fast, sweaty and rollicking version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by British rock band Dr. Feelgood. This is one of the best versions of that song I've heard, if for no other reason than because it rocks.

A blast from the past

Here's an Illinois Lottery television commercial from 1994. Route 66 plays a significant role in the jackpot fantasy.

Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town

Dan O'Neil, the mayor of Edmond, Okla., wrote an opinion piece for the Edmond Sun. In it, O'Neil announced the city was selected by the Mayors' Institute of City Design to participate in a study. The group tries to resolve urban design problems. O'Neil lays out what he thinks needs to be addressed: What project … Continue reading Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town