Route 66 Sodas owner Scott Cameron dies

Scott Cameron, 76, president and CEO of Route 66 Sodas in Lebanon, Missouri, who is best-known as a longtime manager of blues legend Muddy Waters and executor of his estate, died Thursday, according to a couple of roadies who knew him. Cameron also was a partner with Mr. C's Routepost in Lebanon, a large souvenir shop right … Continue reading Route 66 Sodas owner Scott Cameron dies

Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

A collection of late singer Patti Page's memorabilia will be on display through the rest of the year at the Oklahoma History Center and will later travel to several other Oklahoma sites, including the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, the "Patti Page: Once Upon a Dream" exhibit from the … Continue reading Patti Page collection will be at Oklahoma museums

Sam Payne gets his kicks

Based on this performance with guitarist Brady Bills, you'd think Sam Payne is some sort of jazz artist. https://youtu.be/e5nV4LasR7E But you go to his website, and you hear country-folk music -- which indicates a musician with considerable chops. You may find yourself listening to the tunes the Utah native streams through there, as I did.

“The Tattoo Man of Route 66”

We meant to post this on Veterans Day, the same day The Road Crew debuted a music video about Route 66 enthusiast and Vietnam combat veteran Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. But that was when Route 66 News' old hosting service quit working. We have a new hosting service, but this is a … Continue reading “The Tattoo Man of Route 66”

A “haunted” gas station on Route 66

James Cleveland takes his camera all over the Southwest. This video of an abandoned gas station at the ghost town of Glenrio at the Texas and New Mexico border may not be actually infested with spirits, but its desolation and the sounds of the ever-present howling wind might give you the willies. https://youtu.be/wZwhr9mAv5g The sounds … Continue reading A “haunted” gas station on Route 66

“Infamous Route 66”

Posted without comment. https://youtu.be/UvTN1sVqztg But I will say this -- there is a good reason why Bob Dylan became financially successful when other people performed his songs.

Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies

Tim Hauser, a co-founder of the Manhattan Transfer jazz vocal quartet in 1969 and the only original member still with the group, died at age 72 this week, reported JazzTimes and other media outlets. The cause of death was not disclosed, but a post through the group's Facebook page confirmed his passing. We spent more than 40 … Continue reading Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies

Lou Whitney, R.I.P.

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.

“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