A Route 66-themed roadside park planned in Springfield, Mo., has more than reached its $15,000 fundraising goal with two days remaining, reported KOLR-TV in Springfield. Springfield-based CrowdIt.com, a crowd-funding online service, helped spur the campaign. Here's the station's report: The campaign included this very cool promotional video: Because the campaign raised extra money with two … Continue reading Fundraising goal reached for Route 66 roadside park
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
El Rey Theater in Albuquerque closes
The historic El Rey Theater in downtown Albuquerque closed a few days ago because the operator was encountering cash-flow problems with another venture, according to KOB-TV. Here's the station's report: The report makes it clear that El Rey, located on Central Avenue (aka Route 66), could reopen quickly if another operators signs a lease there. … Continue reading El Rey Theater in Albuquerque closes
“Route 66,” mariachi style
Trio Ellas is all-female Latin-American mariachi group based in Los Angeles. Here they are in Fresno, Calif., performing Bobby Troup's best-known song. https://youtu.be/xgg5KZcDBhw I checked out the rest of the band's music on its website. Most of the songs are in Spanish, naturally. But the collection also contains an excellent version of Roy Orbison's "Crying." If … Continue reading “Route 66,” mariachi style
World’s Largest Covered Wagon to be repaired soon
Repairs for the World's Largest Covered Wagon in Lincoln, Ill., don't have a firm timetable, other than it will be before the start of tourism season, the Logan County interim tourism director told the Peoria Journal Star. A windstorm the night of Jan. 26 collapsed one side of the 10,000-pound wagon. Tourism director Nancy Saul … Continue reading World’s Largest Covered Wagon to be repaired soon
Tattoo Man to appear on “Counting Cars”
Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones, an Oklahoma resident who sports dozens of Route 66-inspired tattoos on his body, will make an appearance Tuesday night in the History Channel's "Counting Cars" reality series. The 30-minute episode, titled "Get Your Kicks" (a common reference to the Mother Road), will air at 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The show's … Continue reading Tattoo Man to appear on “Counting Cars”
Route 66 makes brief appearance in Chrysler Super Bowl ad
The advertisement Chrysler aired tonight during the 2014 Super Bowl will forever be labeled as the "Bob Dylan Chrysler ad" -- mostly because of the surprising appearance by the famously reticent singer-songwriter. But a Missouri Route 66 shield also makes an appearance. You'll see it about the 20-second mark. https://youtu.be/KlSn8Isv-3M Chrysler has produced a few … Continue reading Route 66 makes brief appearance in Chrysler Super Bowl ad
Museum seeks Route 66 postcards for exhibit
The Cibola Art Gallery and Artifacts Museum in Grants, N.M., is seeking vintage Route 66 postcards -- especially from west-central New Mexico -- for an upcoming exhibit, according to a letter to the editor in the Cibola County Beacon. The letter from the museum's staff says the exhibit will be titled "Postcards from Route 66." They … Continue reading Museum seeks Route 66 postcards for exhibit
Caretakers to Frontier Motel announced
The new owner of the Frontier Motel and Restaurant complex in Truxton, Ariz., announced on its Facebook page this week that two New Mexico residents -- Allen Greer and his fiancée Stacy Moores -- will become the historic Route 66 motel and cafe's managers. New Zealand resident Sam Murray, owner of Gilligan's Wild West Tours, announced … Continue reading Caretakers to Frontier Motel announced
Hello from Belgium
Here's an oldie but goodie from Belgium native Burt Blanca and his King Creoles. I'm guessing this version of Bobby Troup's most famous song was recorded in the early 1960s. https://youtu.be/JBx5OU5poPs Blanca is nearly 70 years old, and according to his website he's still playing gigs.
Electric vehicle group to support Route 66 festival
The Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation will bring electric vehicles and lend its support to the International Route 66 Festival on Aug. 14-17 in Kingman, Ariz., according to a news release from the group. After reviewing the information on the festival the HEVF Board of Directors voted unanimously to not only attend, but to support the concept … Continue reading Electric vehicle group to support Route 66 festival