Jo Ellis, a columnist for the Joplin Globe newspaper, reported about a sometimes-overlooked but cherished part of the history of Carthage, Missouri -- the rare Chicago Coin's Band-Box, also known as “Strike Up the Band," in the Pancake Hut restaurant along Route 66. The Band-Box is a coin-operated miniature, robotic big band that's been in … Continue reading Strike up the Band-Box
Category: Music
Springfield will simulcast Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert during festival
If you didn't have a ticket to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' headlining concert at the Gillioz Theatre during the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, on Aug. 9, no worries -- the sellout show will be simultaneously broadcast for free on a 16-by-30-foot screen in Park Central Square downtown. The band enthusiastically endorsed … Continue reading Springfield will simulcast Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert during festival
The miracle of the Coleman Theatre’s restoration
The history and eventual revitalization of the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is one of the most inspiring and interesting stories you'll hear on Route 66. It continues to amaze how a town of just 13,000 people with nominal funding could return an opulent theater back to its old glory. And who better to … Continue reading The miracle of the Coleman Theatre’s restoration
One-man band in Seligman
Mark Di Giuseppe, aka The Straniero, performs Bobby Troup's "Route 66" outside, then inside Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. https://youtu.be/n8E6pd8184A Di Giuseppe was born in the United States, but now calls Italy home. The performance in Seligman was stripped down to what he usually does. Check out all the instruments he can play at … Continue reading One-man band in Seligman
Tuxedo cruising
Here's Roy Gaines and His Orchestra playing a nice arrangement of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," from Gaines' 2009 album, "Tuxedo Blues." If you like a big horn section, this is for you: https://youtu.be/IbcQhWcBcTY The song may be downloaded for 99 cents here. Gaines has quite a biography. In addition to a long career in music, … Continue reading Tuxedo cruising
New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
A new collection of Nat King Cole hits, including "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," along with previously unreleased material, will arrive in stores June 3, according to a news release from Universal Music. The collection, titled "The Extraordinary Nat King Cole," includes the big hits "Mona Lisa," "Unforgettable," and "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66." "Route … Continue reading New Nat King Cole collection coming June 3
An interview with the owner of Grady’s 66 Pub
A student with the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology made this video about Grady Cross, owner of Grady's 66 Pub on Route 66 in Yukon, Okla. Cross was a guitarist for regionally popular country-rock band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, until it broke up a few years ago. He saw his music club as a way … Continue reading An interview with the owner of Grady’s 66 Pub
Cow Bop embarking on another summer Route 66 tour
Western swing and jazz band Cow Bop, along with several other guest artists and bands, will go on another Route 66 tour this summer, according to a news release from Cow Bop guitarist Bruce Forman. This time, the World's First Linear Music Festival on July 25 to Aug. 9 will be sponsored by Rifftime, a … Continue reading Cow Bop embarking on another summer Route 66 tour
More about that Diet Mountain Dew commercial
Longtime readers of this site probably have seen a muddy-looking but still-invigorating Diet Mountain Dew commercial featuring an altered version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" by John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. A high-quality version of the ad recently was uploaded by the AICP Show, which honors art and technique for those … Continue reading More about that Diet Mountain Dew commercial
“4th of July”
This music video for Denmark singer-songwriter Esben Kronborg was shot in a variety of places in the United States last month, including Route 66. If you look closely, you'll see the historic railroad depot in Kingman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/lYXTQ0ozn9Y Kronborg may be Dutch, but the song he wrote is an American tale -- one you'd probably … Continue reading “4th of July”