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.
Category: Music
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
Marty Stuart song inspired by Route 66 stop
I've known about this song for 15 years, but country-music artist Marty Stuart revealed in a recent story in American Songwriter magazine that his 1999 song "The Observations of a Crow" drew its inspiration during a stop on Route 66. Stuart explained how the song happened: It was when I was writing "The Pilgrim." My … Continue reading Marty Stuart song inspired by Route 66 stop
A night at the opera at the pier
The Santa Monica Pier on Sept. 17 is hosting a free big-screen broadcast of LA Opera's production of Verdi's famed "La Traviata." It's not like seeing an opera live at the venue, but the idyllic scene of a setting sun, ocean breezes and the surf will be a nice compensation, I'm sure. More about the production: … Continue reading A night at the opera at the pier
Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care
Annabelle Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers in the Sandhills Curiosity Shop near Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma, soon will be moved into a hospice in Oklahoma City after a 3 1/2-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to the couple's Facebook account. Harley Russell posted this message this morning: Dear friends, I have called … Continue reading Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care