Here's Roger Miller, the pride of Erick, Oklahoma, performing his signature song in front of a really ... um ... colorful set. You just know it was the 1960s.
Category: Music
Wayne the Train
The Phoenix New Times has an interview with Wayne "The Train" Hancock, who's bringing his brand of honky-tonk and swing to southern Arizona. The article has these nuggets: "I did this interview the other day, and the guy asks me if I hate the road. Hell, about every other song on my new CD [Tulsa, … Continue reading Wayne the Train
The King of “Route 66”
Nat King Cole was the first to make Bobby Troup's now-immortal song "Route 66" a national hit. Here is Cole, performing the song in 1950. Cole was known for his ultra-smooth voice, but he also was an outstanding jazz pianist. Here, you can see both those talents on display.
Observations on the song “Route 66”
Tim de Lisle of The Guardian in London searches for a British equivalent of Bobby Troup's famed song, "Route 66." His observations provide hints on why "Route 66" continues to endure as a favorite cover song nearly 60 years after it was written: As subjects for great songs go, it's not the most promising. The … Continue reading Observations on the song “Route 66”
Take It Easy
Speaking of standin' on a corner ... I'll bet you haven't seen this version in a long, long time, if at all. It's a BBC broadcast from 1973 during the Eagles' hair-farmin' days, and the song includes the a capella introduction.
Standin’ Near a Corner Festival
The Arizona Reporter has details about about the Standin' on a Corner Festival in Winslow, Ariz., next month. Unless you've not been near a radio in the past 30 years, the festival refers to the Eagles' hit, "Take It Easy," in which the boys sing: "Well, I was standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, … Continue reading Standin’ Near a Corner Festival
Award-winning neon video is online
KNME-TV in Albuquerque a couple years ago produced "Route 66: The Neon Road," a 25-minute video about New Mexico's neon-sign restoration program for Route 66 businesses. The video won an Emmy. That video recently was posted at Google Video; you can watch the whole thing here below. It's an enjoyable video. The rockabilly-flavored soundtrack by … Continue reading Award-winning neon video is online
In the Vanilla Mood
A little weird, but it works. Vanilla Mood has tons of stuff on YouTube, including a version of "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Superstition." No, I'm not kidding.
Music break with Del Reeves
If you're not familiar with this tune, listen for the Route 66 reference near the end.
Keeping the jukeboxes jumpin’
The Los Angeles Times has an entertaining article about Don Muller, owner of Jukeboxes Unlimited. Not only is he a jukebox enthusiast, but he's also one of the few people who can repair record-playing jukeboxes. Many jukeboxes now play CDs, and many more taverns and restaurants are converting to Internet-connected devices that play Mp3s. There's … Continue reading Keeping the jukeboxes jumpin’