Category: Music

Manhattan Transfer goes Mother Roading

I know I've posted videos of the Manhattan Transfer performing Bobby Troup's "Route 66" before. However, this is a performance done from just last year, for the group's "35th Anniversary -- Great American Songbook" DVD. The singing, as usual, is marvelous. And the piano backing is excellent, too.

Hello from Nashville

Here is Angela Siracusa, singing a Western swing-influenced version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66." This performance was taped at The Billy Block Show.

“Am I Right (or Amarillo)”

Here's Asleep at the Wheel, doing a song featuring one of Route 66's key cities. Be on the lookout for several Route 66 landmarks in this video:

Elvis ate here

Here's something interesting that just came from the latest newsletter by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The Heartland of America Heritage Museum in Weatherford, Okla., is about finished restoring the Porter House Diner, an original Valentine diner. The museum estimates the refurbishment will be done later this month or early March. The article by Marion … Continue reading Elvis ate here

Route 66 Idol

A Kansas Route 66 Idol singing contest will be held as a fundraiser for the Galena (Kan.) Educational Foundation's college scholarship fund, according to the Pittsburg (Kan.) Morning Sun. The event will be at 7 p.m. March 28 at the James C. Christman Performing Arts Center in Galena.Prizes include a studio recording session and a … Continue reading Route 66 Idol

Electronic doo-wop

I'll let the performer explain what's going on here: I think this is a hilarious patch on the Roland 700SX. It is called "Jazz Scat" on the Roland 700SX stage piano. There are four velocity layers: "doo, bop, dit, and dow" which play on each note according to how hard you hit the keys. The … Continue reading Electronic doo-wop

Follies performer makes record book

Dorothy Dale Kloss, 85, a performer with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies during its season-long musical salute to Route 66 in "Get Your Kicks," was recently confirmed by the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's oldest still-performing showgirl." According to the Follies: She has been tap dancing on the Follies' stage for … Continue reading Follies performer makes record book

Route 66, by way of New Orleans

This jam session during a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" is smoking hot. You've got Doc Alters on harmonica, Renee Manning on vocals, Earl McIntyre on trombone, Steve Simon on clarinet, and a few members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds as the rhythm section. It's definitely got a Crescent City feel.

Robert Earl Keen to go on Route 66 tour

Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen will go on a music tour of Route 66 sometime this year, reports the San Antonio Express-News. According to Keen's Web site, the tour will mark the 20th anniversary of his most famous song, "The Road Goes on Forever (and the Party Never Ends)." A documentary also is planned, and … Continue reading Robert Earl Keen to go on Route 66 tour