The awesomely ornate Coleman Theatre on Route 66 in Miami, Okla., is marking its 80th anniversary. Because of volunteers and long-running restoration efforts, it's in as good of shape as it's been since it opened in 1929. More about the theater's restoration and festivities related to the anniversary can be read in this Tulsa World … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marking 80th anniversary
Category: Music
A chat with Melissa McClelland
Singer-songwriter Melissa McClelland is set to release her third album, "Victoria Day," on Six Shooter Records and is playing concerts with her musician husband, Luke Doucet, in England and her native Canada in the coming weeks. But after that, she's heading to the Mother Road (with her mother, natch). It's not McClelland's first time on … Continue reading A chat with Melissa McClelland
Frozen yogurt served by Marky Mark
The Pasadena Star-News reported on the opening of a new Blizzberry frozen-yogurt stand on Route 66 in Glendora, Calif. Blizzberry is a regional but rapidly expanding chain in Southern California. Route 66 News is always happy to plug good desserts along the Mother Road, such as Ted Drewes frozen custard to the Midpoint Cafe's ugly-crust … Continue reading Frozen yogurt served by Marky Mark
Vintage Wheel
Judging by the longer hair and Ray Benson's appearance, I reckon this video clip of Asleep at the Wheel performing "Route 66" is from the early to mid-1980s.
“Cattleman’s Cafe”
Erik Holien of Norway spent time in the legendary Cattleman's Cafe on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, and was inspired to write a song about it. The video contains footage from the restaurant and other Panhandle scenes, including the Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio.
Michael Martin Murphey playing benefit for Route 66 center
Veteran country-music star Michael Martin Murphey is performing another benefit concert for the Route 66 Interpretive Center of Chandler, Okla., on April 16. Murphey played a benefit for the center last year about this time. Apparently he is scheduled to be in Oklahoma City that week for an annual awards presentation at the National Cowboy … Continue reading Michael Martin Murphey playing benefit for Route 66 center
Neil Young’s recession blues
Cruising down the road and the economic recession seem to be on Neil Young's mind during his new album, "Fork in the Road." Lyrics to each of the 10 songs and four videos from the album are on Young's site here. On most of the songs I heard, Young straps on his trusty Old Black … Continue reading Neil Young’s recession blues
“What Have They Done to Route 66”
This is a song by folksinger Bill Dobbins. It doesn't contain much material about the actual Route 66. It's a highway song that serves, I think, as a metaphor about getting old. Lyrics for the song are here.
Hello from Tulsa
Longtime Tulsans know about him, and those who attended the awards banquet during the 2004 Route 66 Festival probably remember him. This is Chuck Cissel, performing "Route 66" at the Riverparks Amphitheater in Tulsa. Cissel forged a nice career on Broadway and the music industry before returning to his hometown. Cissel is also CEO of … Continue reading Hello from Tulsa
Salute to a King
Today is what would have been the 90th birthday of singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole, whose version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" became a big hit in 1946 and helped inspire generations to explore the Mother Road. A number of news outlets have published tributes to the man, including the Los Angeles Times, … Continue reading Salute to a King