Hello from France

Here's a well-produced video of stand-up bassist and singer Mathieu Loigerot and guitarist Pascal Nicol, both of France, playing Bobby Troup's "Route 66." https://youtu.be/aEOsFIigTMk The lyrics get messed up here and there, but remember, English isn't the singer's first language.

Tulsa lands Bob Dylan archive

A few years ago, Tulsa was lucky enough to acquire the archive of folk-music legend Woody Guthrie. So it seems natural Tulsa also would acquire the archive of music legend Bob Dylan, who began his career as a Woody Guthrie disciple. The New York Times got the scoop this week of the Tulsa-based George Kaiser … Continue reading Tulsa lands Bob Dylan archive

Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip

Billy Corgan, lead singer and songwriter for the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, recently finished a three-week road trip for a film documentary that included sections of Route 66. Corgan announced the trip on his blog earlier this month. He casually mentioned Route 66 in it, but with few specifics. Given the broad purpose of his trip, it wasn't … Continue reading Billy Corgan’s smashing road trip

More 1990s videos on Route 66

Anthony Reichardt has posted more than a dozen videos he shot during Route 66 trips in a 1959 Cadillac from 1992 to 1995. The latest batch includes an interview with Aleene Kay Albro, who co-owned Buffalo Ranch in Afton, Oklahoma, from 1953 to 1997. She died less than two years after this video, and Buffalo Ranch … Continue reading More 1990s videos on Route 66

Route 66 in 6.6 minutes

Here's a well-edited time-lapse video of a fellow who traveled Route 66 -- including a side trip to Las Vegas -- in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air during the wintertime. https://youtu.be/t_iYL0LDTrQ My favorite time-lapse travel video is this one from 2011. It's a 12,225-mile journey across various points across America, including hundreds of miles of Route … Continue reading Route 66 in 6.6 minutes

The ghosts of Tom Joad

Below the new and idyllic Route 66 Roadside Park in Springfield, Missouri, a campground for the homeless has sprung up in recent months. KYTV in Springfield talked to Heather Cooper, one of the homeless there: "I have post traumatic stress disorder with traumatic nightmares. I've got stage one bipolar, stage one manic depressive illness, which is … Continue reading The ghosts of Tom Joad

Coliseum Ballroom film will previewed at tribute show

A documentary film about the Coliseum Ballroom in Benld, Illinois, will be previewed at a Feb. 20 tribute show for the former Route 66 landmark. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois: "Memories of the Coliseum Ballroom," which will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, will feature music by former members of Frankie … Continue reading Coliseum Ballroom film will previewed at tribute show

Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring

Terri Ryburn, who's owned the Sprague Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, for almost 10 years and has spent all that time getting the historic property shored up, will open a Route 66 gift shop and visitors center on the premises this spring. This little tidbit was revealed during a recent blog post for the … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring

Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow

About 200 people attended a memorial service Tuesday night at Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, for The Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, who died at age 67 on Monday from several illnesses. The Associated Press reported that Winslow residents, including Tom McCauley, staged the memorial at the corner made famous by the 1972 … Continue reading Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow

“Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies

There's a little corner in Winslow, Arizona, that's a sadder sight to see Glenn Frey, a co-founder of the mega-selling country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer of one of its early hits, "Take It Easy," that made the Route 66 town internationally famous, died Monday at age 67 after suffering from several ailments for weeks. Frey … Continue reading “Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies