Those who ever have spent any time with longtime Route 66 aficionado Jim Conkle will recognize many of the things he says about the Mother Road in this interview. The 25-minute interview was done by host Joan Rudder-Ward on the "Silver Sage" program, a weekly 30-minute cable-television show geared towards the age-50-and-older crowd. It's a … Continue reading An interview with Jim Conkle
Category: People
Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
Billy Ray Cooper, founder and owner of Billy Ray's Catfish & BBQ along Route 66 in southwest Tulsa, died Monday, reported the Tulsa World. He was 65. The restaurant's Facebook page posted this message Tuesday: It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our founder, friend, and beloved family member Billy Ray Cooper fulfilled … Continue reading Founder of Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ restaurant dies
One suspect arrested, one at large for role in sign thefts in Seligman
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office reported it has one suspect in custody and is looking for a second in their alleged roles in December in stealing historic signs from Delgadillos' Route 66 Gift Shop in Seligman, Arizona. The Daily Courier of Prescott, Arizona, reported late Tuesday that William Martin Clark, 38, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, … Continue reading One suspect arrested, one at large for role in sign thefts in Seligman
Trump policies may reduce Route 66 tourism by foreign travelers
A troubling sign has emerged that President Donald Trump's policies may reduce visits to the United States by foreigners -- a significant segment of Route 66 tourism. Hopper, a mobile application that analyzes billions of pieces of airfare data around the globe daily reports flight-search demand from international countries has fallen 17 percent overall since Trump's inauguration and his seven-nation … Continue reading Trump policies may reduce Route 66 tourism by foreign travelers
TLC airing reality show about tattoo parlor in Springfield, Missouri
TLC is airing a reality-television show, "Tattoo Girls," about an all-woman tattoo parlor along near Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. In the program's trailer about the Ink Ink business, Route 66 and its role in Springfield get a few mentions: https://youtu.be/5_fE6qaRRgU The first thing I thought while viewing the trailer -- I wonder whether Ron "Tattoo … Continue reading TLC airing reality show about tattoo parlor in Springfield, Missouri
Owner of Bud’s Tire & Wheel in Springfield, Missouri, dies
Leslie "Bud" Perry, longtime owner of the Bud's Tire & Wheel business in Springfield, Missouri, that's often photographed because of its Route 66 murals, died Monday. He was 79. According to KY3 in Springfield, Perry in 2013 received the John T. Woodruff Award, which recognizes Springfield residents’ contributions to Route 66, during the Birthplace of Route 66 … Continue reading Owner of Bud’s Tire & Wheel in Springfield, Missouri, dies
Bob Seger releases tribute song to Eagles founder Glenn Frey
Rock 'n' roll legend Bob Seger a few months ago wrote a song in tribute to the late Glenn Frey, co-founder of The Eagles. Seger is offering the tune away as a free download. Frey, 67, died a little more than a year ago after suffering from several illnesses. You can download the tune here. … Continue reading Bob Seger releases tribute song to Eagles founder Glenn Frey
Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies
Willem Bor, a co-founder of the Dutch Route 66 Association best-known for his detailed miniatures of Route 66 landmarks, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 61. This message was left on his Facebook account Wednesday morning: The words within the shape of a Route 66 shield were no doubt intentional. Knowing Bor … Continue reading Route 66 artist Willem Bor dies
‘Love locks’ being placed on Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza bridge
The European tradition of "love locks" apparently has made its way to Tulsa and Route 66. KOTV in Tulsa reports a few dozen "love locks" or "love padlocks" have been placed in recent years over the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza over Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Tulsa near the Arkansas River. The gist is a couple … Continue reading ‘Love locks’ being placed on Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza bridge
Fundraiser aims to ship dying artist’s Route 66 miniatures to U.S.
An artist of Route 66 miniatures is dying, and Dries Bessels, chairman of the Dutch Route Association, is raising money so he can ship those miniatures to the United States. Willem Bor of the Netherlands, who in recent years has made astonishing replicas of Route 66 landmarks, has been battling cancer for months. In recent days, … Continue reading Fundraiser aims to ship dying artist’s Route 66 miniatures to U.S.