We meant to post this on Veterans Day, the same day The Road Crew debuted a music video about Route 66 enthusiast and Vietnam combat veteran Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. But that was when Route 66 News' old hosting service quit working. We have a new hosting service, but this is a … Continue reading “The Tattoo Man of Route 66”
Category: People
Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega
A series of Facebook posts in recent days and a direct message show an ownership change at Boot Hill Saloon & Grill Restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, has been made or is imminent. Owner, chef and reality-television contestant Rory Schepisi said in an email Sunday "nothing is official at the moment" about the restaurant she's … Continue reading Ownership change indicated at Boot Hill in Vega
A shave from Angel Delgadillo
HairCut Harry is on a mission to have a hair-cutting experience in every country in the world. Recemtly, he stopped by Angel Delgadillo's shop on Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, to get a wet shave with a straight razor. This is probably the only video on the Internet that really shows Delgadillo's old-school style. https://youtu.be/4YtkC-vfRpg … Continue reading A shave from Angel Delgadillo
A chat with Rock Cafe’s Dawn Welch
KC Keefer, continuing with his Genuine Route 66 Life video series, talks to Dawn Welch, longtime owner of the historic Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma. Welch talks about the Route 66 restaurant's up-and-down history, including her role in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movie and the restaurant nearly being destroyed by fire in 2008. https://youtu.be/rXZ5p1qfm8Q More can … Continue reading A chat with Rock Cafe’s Dawn Welch
Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Some may assume Cyrus Avery became known as "The Father of Route 66" simply because he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when the highway became designated and federally certified in 1926. But as Susan Croce Kelly's well-researched new biography shows, Avery's involvement in Route 66's birth and … Continue reading Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Former owner of Club Cafe dies
Ron Chavez, 78, a former owner of the long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, who later became noted as a writer and poet, died Oct. 15 in Albuquerque, reported the Taos News. His daughter, Sonia Valdez, told the newspaper he died of complications from diabetes and a stroke. The family declined to give … Continue reading Former owner of Club Cafe dies
A visit to Cuba Fest
Frank Kocevar, the former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries, took his video camera to Cuba Fest this month in Cuba, Missouri, and chatted to a few folks there. There might be a few folks you recognize. https://youtu.be/ttQ84bUZ_tU In case you missed it, Kocevar and his wife Lynn recently sold Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, … Continue reading A visit to Cuba Fest
Ariston Cafe put up for sale
The landmark Ariston Cafe, located on old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, and owned by the same family for 90 years, has been put up for sale for $1.2 million. The restaurant was listed on an online real-estate site here by Jim Simpson and Shannon Simpson Hall of Century 21 in Litchfield. Ariston co-owner Nick … Continue reading Ariston Cafe put up for sale
Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies
Tim Hauser, a co-founder of the Manhattan Transfer jazz vocal quartet in 1969 and the only original member still with the group, died at age 72 this week, reported JazzTimes and other media outlets. The cause of death was not disclosed, but a post through the group's Facebook page confirmed his passing. We spent more than 40 … Continue reading Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies
Former trooper tells about experiences in Mojave Desert
A former officer with the California Highway Patrol has published a book about his experiences during the 1940s in the Mojave Desert -- much of it on Route 66 -- in a memoir. L.A. "Buzz" Banks has published "Policing the Mojave Desert," mining his stories from the time the highway patrol assigned him to Victorville, California, … Continue reading Former trooper tells about experiences in Mojave Desert