Category: Music

Musician posts video postcast of Route 66 trip

Canadian musician Melissa McClelland embarked on a Route 66 trip, and one segment of a six-part video podcast documenting that journey will be posted each week online. Based on what I saw with Part 1, it's going to be an excellent series. It's well-shot and edited, roadies will recognize several of the people and sights … Continue reading Musician posts video postcast of Route 66 trip

Both versions of “Life is a Highway”

Here is Rascal Flatts' current version of "Life is a Highway," featured in the "Cars" movie. Here is Tom Cochran's original, which was a Top 10 hit in 1992: Which do you like better?

Mini road trip

For those who think regular motorcycles are too darned big, there are mini motorsports rallies. This one was on Route 66 in Arizona from Seligman to Grand Canyon Caverns. I love AC/DC, but "Shoot to Thrill" seems a tad macho for someone who rides a motor scooter.

Iris DeMent’s “Our Town”

Many Route 66ers are now familiar with Randy Newman's song "Our Town," which was sung by James Taylor and featured in a moving scene of the Disney-Pixar movie "Cars." It encapsulates the history of small towns along Route 66 in about four minutes. You can hear a sample of the song on this Web page. … Continue reading Iris DeMent’s “Our Town”

Rolling Stones do “Route 66”

I'm not sure when this Rolling Stones live-in-concert video was shot, but I'm figuring late 1970s to mid-1980s because Ronnie Wood is playing guitar and Bill Wyman is still playing bass. The fellow who posted it is named "berrychuck," which seems appropriate, as the Stones borrowed a lot of licks from Chuck Berry.

What are your favorite road songs?

The Salt Lake City Tribune has a lists from prominent and not-so-prominent residents of their 10 favorite road songs. It's a diverse bunch of music artists, including Chick Corea, Talking Heads, Drive-By Truckers, Waylon Jennings and Brahms -- although I find the lists a bit short of country music. Readers also shared their thoughts on … Continue reading What are your favorite road songs?

The Cheetah Girls’ version of “Route 66”

The Cheetah Girls debuted their version of Bobby Troup's immortal song "Route 66" this weekend. They're helping promote the upcoming release of the "Cars" DVD, which comes out Nov. 7. You can see the Cheetah Girls' video here: UPDATE: Out-of-date link is fixed.

“Route 66” in sound and light

This is video of Kari Simmons and Todd Lowry Ensemble, based in Albuquerque. They perform a jazzy version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," and the footage is sprinkled with night images of that town's Route 66 neon lights. Nice job.

Wayne “The Train” Hancock plugs Route 66 again

In this lengthy interview with The Independent in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., hillbilly swing singer Wayne "The Train" Hancock again professes his love for the Mother Road. Here are some excerpts: "My thing is I try to stay off the interstates as much as I can. Each tour, I try to route us almost like a vacation. … Continue reading Wayne “The Train” Hancock plugs Route 66 again