Based on this performance with guitarist Brady Bills, you'd think Sam Payne is some sort of jazz artist. https://youtu.be/e5nV4LasR7E But you go to his website, and you hear country-folk music -- which indicates a musician with considerable chops. You may find yourself listening to the tunes the Utah native streams through there, as I did.
Author: Ron Warnick
Rancho Cucamonga station may reopen by July
The historic Cucamonga Service Station along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, may reopen next year as a museum -- perhaps by July, in time for its centennial, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The article details the work the nonprofit Route 66 IECA group has done since taking over the property in January: When … Continue reading Rancho Cucamonga station may reopen by July
A chat with Jerry McClanahan
KC Keefer adds to his "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a talk with Route 66 artist, author and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his studio in Chandler, Oklahoma. https://youtu.be/ISZLdWzTx2o McClanahan has been traveling regularly on Route 66 for more than 30 years, and his memories of the Mother Road date back even further. Novice … Continue reading A chat with Jerry McClanahan
“The Tattoo Man of Route 66”
We meant to post this on Veterans Day, the same day The Road Crew debuted a music video about Route 66 enthusiast and Vietnam combat veteran Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. But that was when Route 66 News' old hosting service quit working. We have a new hosting service, but this is a … Continue reading “The Tattoo Man of Route 66”
A “haunted” gas station on Route 66
James Cleveland takes his camera all over the Southwest. This video of an abandoned gas station at the ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas and New Mexico border may not be actually infested with spirits, but its desolation and the sounds of the ever-present howling wind might give you the willies. https://youtu.be/wZwhr9mAv5g The sounds … Continue reading A “haunted” gas station on Route 66
Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday
The relighting of the former Skylark Motel's neon -- including its distinctive glass-block tower -- will occur about dusk Saturday at the site in St. Clair, Missouri, according to a news release from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. The ceremony is scheduled to last about 20 minutes. According … Continue reading Neon relighting of former Skylark Motel is Saturday
Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register
The Ritz Theater, a former movie house on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release from the Kansas Historical Society. The building is at 1145 N. Military Ave. (aka Route 66). The theater's inclusion is all but assured, because the National … Continue reading Baxter Springs theater nominated to National Register
We’re back
Route 66 News is back after a nearly five-day outage. In short, I encountered grave and unexpected troubles last week with the site's hosting service and decided to move to a new host. The website went back up partially -- mostly on mobile -- on Saturday, and returned to its full power about noon Sunday. … Continue reading We’re back
Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project
A Native American tourism group and the National Park Service will meet in New Mexico later this month to formally launch the "American Indians and Route 66" project, reported Indian Country Today. The initial meeting of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is set for Route 66 Casino west of Albuquerque. Tribal lands and … Continue reading Indian tribes will launch Route 66 tourism project
Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega
A series of Facebook posts in recent days and a direct message show an ownership change at Boot Hill Saloon & Grill Restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, has been made or is imminent. Owner, chef and reality-television contestant Rory Schepisi said in an email Sunday "nothing is official at the moment" about the restaurant she's … Continue reading Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega