Lou Whitney, 72, a music producer based in Springfield, Missouri, whose mentoring and influence on other musicians far exceeded his fame as a bassist with The Morells and The Skeletons, died of cancer Tuesday, reported the Springfield News-Leader. Before delving into an amazing career, here's Whitney with his band, The Morells, immortalizing long-gone Route 66 … Continue reading Lou Whitney, R.I.P.
Category: Music
“Stranded”
North of Nashville, which calls itself "America's Two-Man Outlaw Country Band," stopped on old Route 66 in Depew, Oklahoma, a few days ago and videotaped this performance of one of its songs. https://youtu.be/5CKtLOyPR0Q North of Nashville decided to get off the interstate to take Route 66 from the Oklahoma City area to Tulsa, on the … Continue reading “Stranded”
‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
On a stretch of old Route 66 east of Albuquerque is a set of rumble strips that play "America the Beautiful" when you drive over them. We'll let KOAT-TV in Albuquerque explain: https://youtu.be/upOtu16yOFg The Associated Press reported that Tigress Productions created the road in Tijeras, New Mexico, for a new National Geographic Channel series, "Crowd … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Annabelle Russell, 68, who with her husband Harley Russell made up the irreverent Mediocre Music Makers at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Oklahoma, died Tuesday afternoon after a 3 1/2-year bout with cancer. The Facebook page for Harley and Annabelle posted sad but typical message Tuesday: Dear friends, my Precious Annabelle just passed away 1:10p.m. this afternoon … Continue reading Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Two rockers on the road
In recent days, Music Vault has posted two vintage videos of rock bands covering Bobby Troup's big road song. The first is by Earth Quake, playing at Winterland in San Francisco in 1974: https://youtu.be/hC5ZZpRF7p0 The next one is by the Greg Kihn Band, playing at Capital Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey in 1984. https://youtu.be/I6uDcpk21MA
A look back at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
The folks in Springfield, Missouri, already are publicizing next year's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival -- scheduled for Aug. 7-8 -- by showing a few of the highlights of the festival last month. That includes a performance of "Chicken Train" by some local legends, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Birthplace of Route 66 Festival from SGF … Continue reading A look back at the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival
Roger Miller Festival moving from downtown Erick
The annual Roger Miller Festival is moving from its longtime downtown location in his adopted hometown of Erick, Oklahoma, to the Lost Creek Arena west of town on old Route 66, according to a news release from the venue. The event -- which will feature lots of live music, including Roger Miller's son, Dean Miller … Continue reading Roger Miller Festival moving from downtown Erick
“66 Mainstreet, Americana”
This film documents a couple of Brits, film director Andy Harrison and photographer Natalie Pluck, taking in a Route 66 trip. I like this film very much, mostly because it seems to be simply willing to go its own way. 66 Mainstreet, Americana from Andy Harrison on Vimeo. A few things to note before you view … Continue reading “66 Mainstreet, Americana”
Hello from Moscow
I bet you haven't heard this one. It's Ned Wright, singing Bobby Troup's "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" in 1955 in Moscow as part of The Everyman's Opera Concerto. It's a lot jazzier than you might think it is. Wright, by the way, was one of the first Americans allowed to perform behind the … Continue reading Hello from Moscow
“Route 66” performed on Indonesia TV
Bobby Troup's estate got another dose of cha-ching Friday. On a show called "Rising Star Indonesia," contestant Reyna Qotrunnada performed his best-known song. https://youtu.be/cdgDKj131No Yes, her English during the song is a clumsy, but do remember it's not her mother tongue. But it seemed a lot of people in the audience recognized it. It's amazing … Continue reading “Route 66” performed on Indonesia TV