Here's a Route 66 song that escaped my notice for many years -- until recently. Country music artist Smiley Burnette in 1954 recorded and released "Chuggin on Down 66" on the Abbott label. Some attribute it also being on the London label, probably for the European market. https://youtu.be/k7UD3SgAvhw Near the end of the song, Burnette … Continue reading “Chuggin on Down 66” an early example of a Route 66 song
Category: Music
Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
World-famous songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate Bob Dylan three years ago painted a series of images that included more than a half-dozen images from Route 66 as part of his "The Beaten Path" series. The number of images from the Mother Road has increased. The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, posted this image … Continue reading Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Organizers for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announced they have acquired a building in downtown Joliet, with the hopes of opening it by next year. According to the Joliet Patch, the museum's organizers bought a three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. (seen above) that dates to the 1920s. The structure … Continue reading Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90
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
Sheverb’s new video shot partly on Route 66
An all-female band based in Austin with a terrifically descriptive name, Sheverb, recently released a new music video that partially was shot on Route 66. The video is titled "Thunder Lizard." The instrumental wouldn't sound out-of-place on the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack. https://youtu.be/PxVhZx6qaq4 In a news release, Sheverb stated the video was shot at Classical Gas, … Continue reading Sheverb’s new video shot partly on Route 66
City of Amarillo condemns former Crystal Pistol building
The former Crystal Pistol building along Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, was condemned by the city for code violations. If the owner doesn't do anything to address those, the structure will be demolished. KVII-TV in Amarillo explains why: Since 2012, the Amarillo Police Department has been called out to 907 E Amarillo Blvd approximately 122 … Continue reading City of Amarillo condemns former Crystal Pistol building
Rockin’ Route 66 festival in Tucumcari will have key differences from predecessor
Some details about the Rockin' Route 66 festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on June 27-30 were released last week, revealing a few key differences from the festival's predecessor, Rockabilly on the Route. -- First, Rockin' Route 66 will not feature just rockabilly music, as its forerunner did. According to an email from Brian Whitcomb, president … Continue reading Rockin’ Route 66 festival in Tucumcari will have key differences from predecessor
Decades of Wheels in Baxter Springs opens with concerts, car shows
The Decades of Wheels car museum and other related businesses in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, opened over the weekend with several high-profile concerts, car and motorcycle shows. The event was declared a success by organizers, despite chilly temperatures and rain marring the festivities, according to the Cherokee County News-Advocate. The weekend included shows by Grand … Continue reading Decades of Wheels in Baxter Springs opens with concerts, car shows
Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Those who attend a "fun-raiser" Oct. 11 for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet may learn of the exact place where it will be housed. Ron Romero, chairman of the museum's board of directors and facility's creator, told The Daily Southtown he hopes to reveal the site at the event. … Continue reading Fundraiser set for Oct. 11 for Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66
Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech
A few days ago, someone at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training uploaded a video and transcript of Michael Wallis' keynote speech during the "Are We There Yet: Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in April in Tulsa. Wallis speech, "The Coming of Roads," contains several familiar themes from those who have … Continue reading Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech