Here’s a version of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” that I haven’t heard before now. It’s Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and Chorus during “Philco Radio Time” on Oct. 30, 1946. Crosby earlier that year recorded a version of Bobby Troup’s song with the Andrew Sisters, which reached No. 14 … Continue reading An alternate version of “Route 66” by Bing Crosby
The long-running PBS-TV music program “Austin City Limits” next month will broadcast a special retrospective on the western-swing band Asleep at the Wheel, both of which is marking its 50th anniversary. Asleep At the Wheel performed on the show’s first episode back in 1970. In total, the band has appeared on the show 11 times … Continue reading “Austin City Limits” will air Asleep At the Wheel retrospective Oct. 31
In the wake of the ongoing struggle to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, a newspaper along the historic highway has floated an intriguing idea — make Route 66 a national park instead. The editorial board of the Joplin Globe in Missouri published an editorial with that proposal a few days ago. Below … Continue reading Newspaper editorial floats National Park idea for Route 66
Local officials on Monday unveiled a 9-foot-tall Route 66 Experience Hub at Main and Jefferson streets in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, in an effort to boost tourism there. The interactive kiosk is designed to help point out to visitors Route 66 attractions in the city and region, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph: The hub — the 14th experience … Continue reading Route 66 Experience Hub unveiled in downtown Bloomington
The story behind the now-iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” is Bobby Troup and his wife, Cynthia Troup, were traveling west on that highway to California in 1946 when she came up with the line “Get your kicks on Route 66.” Bobby Troup finished the rest of the song, pitched it to Nat … Continue reading Cynthia Troup’s role in “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”
Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and ’70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90
A fast-moving brush fire Sunday near the Route 66 village of Winona, Arizona, forced a six-hour evacuation and prompted the arrest of one resident. The Arizona Daily Sun newspaper, based in nearby Flagstaff, reported Steve A. Carter, 54, was booked into the county jail on suspicion of felony endangerment, felony criminal damage and misdemeanor reckless burning. … Continue reading Wildfire forces evacuation of Winona
This video of new material being previewed by musician Inda Eaton surfaced a few days ago. This song is titled “Route 66,” but it bears little resemblance to the 1946 classic tune written by Bobby Troup and popularized by Nat King Cole. The key line — “the road, it changes you” — probably will hold … Continue reading A new version of “Route 66”
Exile the Second, a pop-music band based in Japan, recently released a teaser music video for the group’s upcoming single, “Route 66.” In case you’re wondering, the song bears no resemblance to the Bobby Troup-written classic of the same title. This video uploaded to YouTube isn’t the full video, either, but a teaser of about … Continue reading Japanese pop group Exile the Second produces “Route 66” video
Natalie Cole, a daughter of music legend Nat King Cole who became a music star in her own right, died Thursday of heart failure. She was 65. Cole earned several platinum albums and nine Grammy awards during her career, but she probably will be best known for her smash-hit “Unforgettable” album, where studio wizardry allowed her to … Continue reading Natalie Cole, R.I.P.
