If you've never been to the historic Cain's Ballroom concert venue in Tulsa, here's a virtual tour courtesy of Google Maps. You can even go onto the mezzanine: View Larger Map The Google Maps images were taken this week by Mother Road Media LLC in Tulsa, which is a Google Business Tours photographer. If you … Continue reading Take a virtual tour of Cain’s Ballroom
Category: Music
“Blackbird”
Here's another musical posting by guitarist Pat Kelley, who's touring Route 66 with Cow Bop and other musicians. This performance of the Beatles' "Blackbird" was taken on the Mother Road, near what appears to be Williams, Ariz. https://youtu.be/AryoshZ7w_c It reminds me of another memorable performance of "Blackbird" by a Beatle himself, Paul McCartney, during a … Continue reading “Blackbird”
“Don’t Fence Me In”
Guitarist Pat Kelley was traveling west and western-swing band Cow Bop was traveling east. They met on Route 66 near Tijeras, N.M., just east of Albuquerque, to hammer out this song. https://youtu.be/ON8EXuITUHM
Rocker’s Route 66 documentary debuts on iTunes tomorrow
"66 Days on Route 66," a documentary about Australian folk-rocker Grayson's musical tour of Route 66 in 2011, will make its debut on iTunes on Thursday, reported the Newcastle Herald in Australia. The film's world debut on the Fourth of July was intentional, methinks. Hopefully, American readers will be able to download or rent the … Continue reading Rocker’s Route 66 documentary debuts on iTunes tomorrow
George Benson’s tribute to Nat King Cole
I've read a lot of warm reviews in recent weeks for jazz artist George Benson's latest album, "Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole." Naturally, if you're going to record a tribute to Cole, you have to record "Route 66," written by Bobby Troup. It was one of Cole's early hits, back in 1946. This … Continue reading George Benson’s tribute to Nat King Cole
“American Ride”
Take a road trip -- or several -- with Willie Nile in this new music video, where you'll catch glimpses of Route 66 and other great American roads. https://youtu.be/Cs0HtfYvq_Q (Hat tip: Michael Wallis)
Palm Springs Follies entering its final season
https://youtu.be/qSjRQQ3lHiM The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, which devoted an entire season to the history and culture of Route 66, announced Thursday it was entering its 23rd and final season, "The Last Hurrah!" The last performance will be May 18, 2014, at the Historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, Calif. The Follies' longtime producer and co-director, Riff … Continue reading Palm Springs Follies entering its final season
Park near Standin’ On a Corner awaits grant
The Route 66 Plaza park, behind the Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Ariz., is awaiting $488,000 from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s National Scenic Grant Fund to finish the project, reported the Arizona Journal. When the funds are available, a performance stage, lighting, street furniture, including benches. and signage will complete that city park. … Continue reading Park near Standin’ On a Corner awaits grant
The original Fabulous Thunderbirds
Before the Fabulous Thunderbirds formed in Texas in the 1970s, there was another Fabulous Thunderbirds rock band out of New Mexico during the mid-1960s. According to one well-researched online source, the Thunderbirds' version of Bobby Troup's song was released in 1965 on Red Feather Records in Albuquerque: https://youtu.be/KE4ti9-nLm0 More from Popsike.com: Legend has it that … Continue reading The original Fabulous Thunderbirds
Perry Como’s version of “Route 66”
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" you may not have heard. Perry Como gave it a whirl in 1959, with additional lyrics. Perry Como - Route 66 from Jeroen Boersma on Vimeo.