Category: Music

“California Stars”

Here's a marvelous but bittersweet performance by Wilco of a Woody Guthrie poem, from about 10 years ago. I say bittersweet because that's former band member Jay Bennett on lead guitar, who died in his sleep two weeks ago. And, yes, I've been around the block enough to remember Bennett during his Titanic Love Affair … Continue reading “California Stars”

Packing up the plantation

I'd forgotten about this, but Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers closed their "Pack Up the Plantation -- Live" video from 1985 with a performance of Bobby Troup's "Route 66."

Details released about Oklahoma Pop museum

A news conference on Tuesday revealed all of the details about a proposed Oklahoma Pop museum in Tulsa, devoted to the history of the state's music and its popular culture. You can read more about it here. It was mentioned a few days ago that Route 66 would be part of the museum. Bob Blackburn, … Continue reading Details released about Oklahoma Pop museum

Music museum will also feature Route 66

Well, this is interesting. From the Tulsa World: The Oklahoma Historical Society hopes to bring its first facility to Tulsa in the form of a $33 million museum of music and popular culture located in the Brady District. Plans for the museum, which will be half the size of the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma … Continue reading Music museum will also feature Route 66

“Ford Fairlane”

Bobby Pinson has become one of may favorite songwriters because his lyrics seem almost conversational. He lost his record deal, but he's writing hits for other people, including Sugarland, so he's not hurting financially. This song by Pinson came from his first major-label album, but I'm not aware it was released as a single. This … Continue reading “Ford Fairlane”

Playing with authority

Here's the aptly named Western Swing Authority playing Bobby Troup's "Route 66." Based on information I tracked down, Western Swing Authority is a sort of all-star team, based in Canada, of studio and touring musicians who like Western swing.

“Get Your Kicks” variety show this weekend

Found this from the Webster-Kirkwood Times of west St. Louis County in the calendar section: "Get Your Kicks On Route 66," a variety show, will be presented in the Emerson Auditorium of St. Luke's Hospital's North/South Medical Building, 222 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield, May 15-17. Join the Whacky family as they travel across … Continue reading “Get Your Kicks” variety show this weekend

The worst “American Idol” audition

Brian Haas of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel chose his worst auditions in the history of "American Idol." This one, where Jacqueline "Scat Girl" Roman tries to sing "Route 66," was named numero uno. It is genuinely painful to hear, but worth watching the reaction of the judges, in particular Randy Jackson.