This is a segment from the 2005 movie "Elizabethtown." You'll see Route 66, then the Round Barn and Hillbillee's in Arcadia, Okla., at the 7:14 mark. I was about to say it seems unlikely that anyone would put 42 hours of music on CDs for a road trip -- until I realized that I have … Continue reading Drew’s road trip
Category: Music
“Just fallen brick … and broken glass”
This is Son Volt singer Jay Farrar, performing an acoustic version of the country-rock band's song, "Way Down Watson." It is based on the demolition of the Coral Court Motel on Watson Road, aka Route 66, in St. Louis in 1995. It's a bit hard to hear the words, so here are the song's lyrics … Continue reading “Just fallen brick … and broken glass”
The father of rock ‘n’ roll
Chuck Berry wrote a whole bunch of driving tunes. This one, "No Particular Place to Go," inspired many road trips.
Square dancing on 66
The Ozark Whirlers is a square-dance club that has been based in Eldon, Mo., for 52 years, and the group still meets for dances at least twice a month, according to a feature article in the Lake Sun Leader of Camdenton, Mo. Many members are in their 70s. And the dancers must have had some … Continue reading Square dancing on 66
“Girl on the Billboard”
Finally found a video of Del Reeves singing his biggest hit, "Girl on the Billboard," that I could embed here. This clip is from 1965. Listen closely for the Route 66 reference near the end.
“Here I am walking down 66 …”
I couldn't find Charley Pride performing "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone" on YouTube. But I did find Buck Owens covering it. And that's Buck's longtime cohort, Don Rich, playing fiddle and providing backup vocals. "Here I am walking down 66, wishing she hadn't done me that way ..."
Play it loud
Here's a fast, sweaty and rollicking version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by British rock band Dr. Feelgood. This is one of the best versions of that song I've heard, if for no other reason than because it rocks.
Art inspired by Route 66 motels
Artist Victoria Taylor-Gore shows pastels from her "Route 66 series" in a slide show on YouTube. These works are inspired by motels from the 1940s to 1960s. Music is by jazz legend John Coltrane.
The Father of Truck-Driving Songs
Here's country star Dave Dudley, singing his signature hit "Six Days on the Road" during a 1970 television show. It was a big hit in 1963, and spawned many other truck-driving songs.
“… Just a memory now …”
Trailerdancer, a poster on YouTube, has recorded his version of Fred Eaglesmith's song, "White Rose," the story of a small-town filling station that was abandoned when it was bypassed by the interstate. The song doesn't specifically take place on Route 66, but the sad story is familiar to those who live on the Mother Road. … Continue reading “… Just a memory now …”