Here's another new video of Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers, doing their thing at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla.
Category: People
Nice way to spend a summer
A schoolteacher in Indiana is spending this summer traveling on Route 66, taking art classes and following her muse, thanks to a grant, reports the The Post & Mail in Colombia City, Ind. Sarah Corey, who teaches at Indian Springs Middle School, received $8,000 from the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship. Throughout the trip she’ll … Continue reading Nice way to spend a summer
Route 66 artist setting up shop near Mother Road
Route 66 artist, researcher and author Jerry McClanahan announced he is moving from north Texas to the Mother Road community of Chandler, Okla. McClanahan holds considerable stature with roadies. In addition to being an accomplished painter of scenes from the Mother Road, he wrote the indispensable "Route 66: EZ Guide for Travelers" guidebook that combines … Continue reading Route 66 artist setting up shop near Mother Road
So much for a good-ol’-boy network
Here's something I didn't know about the Route 66 town of McLean, Texas -- its mayor and five (ahem) aldermen are all women. According to the Associated Press, it's the only town in which all the elected officials are female. And, boy, there are some great quotes with that story: "We have people skills, and … Continue reading So much for a good-ol’-boy network
Harley & Annabelle documentary planned
A filmmaker is planning a documentary about the story of Harley & Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers, of Erick, Okla. Joe Summars of Fluxfaze Creative Enterprises told the Route 66 yahoogroup yesterday: Harley and Annabelle Russell [...] have given me exclusive rights to create a documentary about their personal experiences providing their brand … Continue reading Harley & Annabelle documentary planned
Route 66 historian’s book about Pete Seeger reissued
David King Dunaway, a professor at the University of New Mexico, has done a lot of historic research about Route 66 and helped others do the same with his oral history workshops. He also produced the excellent the "Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story" for radio. We've met Dave at just about every significant … Continue reading Route 66 historian’s book about Pete Seeger reissued
Photographer’s work inspires preservation
There's an excellent article in the Daily Oklahoman about Larry Nance, a photographer based in El Reno, and the impact he's making with local preservationists. It's advisable to read the whole thing. But the gist is that Nance as a child suffered from epilepsy, and was unable to stay at Route 66 landmarks such as … Continue reading Photographer’s work inspires preservation
Big Texan’s 72-ounce speed record is broken
For 21 years, former big-league pitcher Frank Pastore held the speed record for finishing the Big Texan Steak Ranch's 72-ounce steak meal in an eye-popping (and stomach-churning) time of 9 1/2 minutes. On Monday, his record was broken. By a professional eater, no less. Those unfamiliar with the 72-Ounce Challenge think you have to eat … Continue reading Big Texan’s 72-ounce speed record is broken
Another chat with George Maharis
Mark Rahner of the Seattle Times spent phone time with "Route 66" television series co-star George Maharis, who is plugging the DVD re-releases of the show. It's a good, wide-ranging interview, including a few details about Maharis' Playgirl shoot and his other non-"Route 66" work. If you want to check out the phone interview I … Continue reading Another chat with George Maharis
Bagdad Cafe greeter dies
Shirley Trueman, who greeted customers with songs and dance at the world-famous Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 in Newberry, Calif., for a decade, died Friday of cancer, reports the Desert Dispatch of nearby Barstow. She died just a few days after the Dispatch reported that the restaurant and townsfolk were trying to raise money to … Continue reading Bagdad Cafe greeter dies