A word from our sponsor

Here's a 1961 television spot -- nearly two minutes long -- for Chevrolet. https://youtu.be/Mrf-pWfEyd8 Have you seen the USA -- or Route 66 -- in your Chevrolet? And the folks who made that ad somehow wondered years later where psychedelia came from. UPDATE: Apparently the link I had was taken down. However, I found a … Continue reading A word from our sponsor

A report on Route 66 in mid-Missouri

The Ozarks News Journal produced this short video that looks at the past and future of Route 66 in mid-Missouri, particularly the Lebanon area. Ramona Lehman, co-owner of the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, plays a significant role in the clip. Route 66 PKG Vimeo 720p from Ozarks News Journal on Vimeo. (Image of the … Continue reading A report on Route 66 in mid-Missouri

Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno

In case you missed it, Jay Leno logged his last night Thursday as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" after 22 years in the chair. You can watch the entire episode online, but here's his emotional and graceful goodbye: Even though Leno is known as a car nut, not many roadies can claim they had … Continue reading Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno

Tattoo Man to appear on “Counting Cars”

Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones, an Oklahoma resident who sports dozens of Route 66-inspired tattoos on his body, will make an appearance Tuesday night in the History Channel's "Counting Cars" reality series. The 30-minute episode, titled "Get Your Kicks" (a common reference to the Mother Road), will air at 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The show's … Continue reading Tattoo Man to appear on “Counting Cars”

Route 66 makes brief appearance in Chrysler Super Bowl ad

The advertisement Chrysler aired tonight during the 2014 Super Bowl will forever be labeled as the "Bob Dylan Chrysler ad" -- mostly because of the surprising appearance by the famously reticent singer-songwriter. But a Missouri Route 66 shield also makes an appearance. You'll see it about the 20-second mark. https://youtu.be/KlSn8Isv-3M Chrysler has produced a few … Continue reading Route 66 makes brief appearance in Chrysler Super Bowl ad

A radio interview with George Maharis

George Maharis, co-star of CBS-TV's "Route 66" drama of the early 1960s, was interviewed for 21 minutes a few days ago on "The Vintage Rock and Pop Shop" on WFDU radio in New Jersey. Maharis now is 85 years old. https://youtu.be/tJCRqOR4-VM In 2007, I interviewed Maharis for about a half-hour before "Route 66" episodes finally trickled … Continue reading A radio interview with George Maharis

Developer drops De Anza project

The developer of the historic but long-closed De Anza Motel in Albuquerque has dropped the project entirely because he didn't get the funding he wanted, reported KRQE-TV in Albuquerque. Developer Rob Dickson had ambitious plans for the De Anza Motel at Central and Washington. He promised to create 39 apartments, a Zuni jewelry store, a … Continue reading Developer drops De Anza project

An old Chevy can break down here

If you're ever driving a mid-1950s Chevrolet on Route 66, there are far worse places to break down than in Stroud, Okla. KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City reports about Route 66 Restoration Supplies, a shop that specializes in parts for 1955, 1956 and 1957 Chevys. To see the report, just hit the KFOR link.   As … Continue reading An old Chevy can break down here

A visit to Joseph’s Bar and Grill

KOB-TV in Albuquerque continued its visits to iconic restaurants in New Mexico. One of them is Joseph's Bar and Grill in Santa Rosa, N.M. A true story: I was exiting Joseph's after breakfast there, when I saw dark blue swallows flying and playing around the outside of the restaurant. I had just spent overnight at … Continue reading A visit to Joseph’s Bar and Grill

Santa Rosa talks about “the bypass”

KOB-TV in Albuquerque, in the wake of its story about the Silver Moon Cafe, filed this report on the impact of Interstate 40 on the Route 66 town of Santa Rosa, N.M.: The report was mostly well-done, but context and other notes are in order: --- KOB makes it sound as if the I-40 bypass … Continue reading Santa Rosa talks about “the bypass”