Hello from England

We've put sound clips of British singer Charlese performing "Route 66" in a studio. Here she is, doing the same song at a recent show in Chester, England. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex9FA95bZ9c

The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms

I've visited the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Okla., literally dozens of times. But I'd never known about the existence of these things on the grounds until I saw this photo Saturday on the Blue Whale's Twitter account: That's Ron Edwards John Davis taking a break, one of the many Fins of the Blue Whale volunteers … Continue reading The Blue Whale’s magical mushrooms

A word from our sponsor …

If you're traveling in Poland, you might do a double-take when you encounter this restaurant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRGe_ROYFCM

Help requested in re-creating Riviera Roadhouse

Willem Bor of the Netherlands plans to build a miniature of the historic Riviera Roadhouse, which was destroyed by fire in June 2010. Bor is planning on building the former Gardner, Ill., tavern to 1/50th scale. Here are samples of his work: Bor hopes to donate this future work to the Illinois Route 66 Hall … Continue reading Help requested in re-creating Riviera Roadhouse

Primitive roads

Here's something fun: A two-part video about the primitive alignment of Route 66 at La Bajada Hill in New Mexico by a brave soul to drove it in an SUV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K_brKoTSpA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DgLAyXwW84 Here's a short clip on the Cuervo Cut-off of Route 66, near Cuervo, N.M. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uGJLtNHYaw A drive on Oatman Road (aka Route 66) … Continue reading Primitive roads

A history of bottle trees

I thought the dozens of bottle trees erected by Elmer Long along Route 66 in Oro Grande, Calif., were a one-of-a-kind. But apparently not, according to an article by Virginia Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Bottle trees are a long-standing Southern thing, embedded in the life tapestries of African Americans, especially in the Mississippi Delta. … Continue reading A history of bottle trees

Hello from Oregon

The Mixers Band, based in Oregon, says its sound is a bit hard to define, although I hear jazz, blues and soul. This arrangement of "Route 66" owes a bit to the arrangement of the Brian Setzer Orchestra's version. But The Mixer Band's piano player is pretty special. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPIE2E2zsDg

New stage production: “Tucumcari”

In the LA Weekly newspaper, I found this little item in the stage listings: TUCUMCARI Riley Steiner's story of "love, choices, tough times, and Western music on Route 66.". Theatre 40 at the Reuben Cordova Theater, 241 Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills; opens Feb. 2; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Feb. 27. (310) 364-0535. … Continue reading New stage production: “Tucumcari”

Help paint Bob Waldmire’s mural

The city of Pontiac, Ill., will be dedicating the Red Carpet Corridor Festival in May to the memory of prominent Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. Festivities will include the public being invited to help paint a mural that Waldmire designed before his death from abdominal cancer in December 2009. The festival is set for May … Continue reading Help paint Bob Waldmire’s mural

Bad news, good news at Bird Creek Bridge hearing

Those attending a public hearing Thursday night at the Catoosa Community Center in Catoosa, Okla., heard bad news and good news regarding the historic but decrepit Bird Creek Bridge that carried Route 66. The bad news is the westbound 1936 bridge will be gone in a matter of months and replaced by a nondescript $5.4 million … Continue reading Bad news, good news at Bird Creek Bridge hearing