KOLR-TV in Springfield, Mo., has a story about Gary Turner's re-creation of the Gay Parita gas station on old Route 66 west of Springfield in a settlement called Paris Springs. Here are more photos of Gay Parita. There's a video link with the story. But buried in the story is this item that's not on … Continue reading A look at the Gay Parita station
Category: Television
Chicago TV station to show “Route 66” episodes
For you Chicago roadies, WFBT-TV, Channel 48, will be renamed WMEU on March 1 and will start broadcasting old episodes of the "Route 66" TV show from the early 1960s, according to the Chicago Tribune. This is in addition to the classic-TV lineup on WWME, aka Me-TV, which is owned by the same outfit -- … Continue reading Chicago TV station to show “Route 66” episodes
Mother Road Transfer
In this old clip from "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, here's the Manhattan Transfer performing "Route 66."
A chat with Kirk Hallam
This week, I talked on the phone with Kirk Hallam, owner and president of Roxbury Entertainment. We talked about the company's DVD re-releases of the "Route 66" television series and an upcoming "Route 66" film, based on the 1960s TV show, that he is producing. A lot of interesting information was revealed by Hallam during … Continue reading A chat with Kirk Hallam
Route 66 rescue
A woman apparently fell into the rain-swollen Vermilion River in Pontiac, Ill., on Tuesday and was swept downstream for three-quarters of a mile by the current. She was rescued by police and firefighters near the Route 66 bridge in town, and capturing it all on videotape was Mayor Scott McCoy, reports WEEK-TV. "I just so … Continue reading Route 66 rescue
Another Amarillo song
After seeing my post about George Strait's "Amarillo by Morning," longtime roadie Becky Ransom alerted me of another hit song that prominently mentions the Texas Panhandle's largest city. It is Tony Christie's "(Is This the Way to) Amarillo," a worldwide hit in 1971 for the British singer. It was co-written by Neil Sedaka. The song … Continue reading Another Amarillo song
“Magic” superhighways
Here's a fascinating excerpt from "Magic Highway USA," a 1958 film from when Disney had its own TV show. It imagines what the nation's highway system might look like in the future. I saw this film as a child in the early 1970s, and it seemed overly fanciful even then. As the film fast approaches … Continue reading “Magic” superhighways
More details about “Route 66, Season One, Volume Two”
Here's the cover art for the second part of the DVD release of the first season of the original "Route 66" television show. As you can see, it's similar to the first set. As previously reported, it's another four-disc set that retails for $29.95. Amazon.com is already taking pre-orders for a substantial discount. I e-mailed … Continue reading More details about “Route 66, Season One, Volume Two”
Cruising with Nelson Riddle
Power's still out here in the heart of Route 66 country, and I'm using a library computer because the Wi-Fi connection here isn't working. In the meantime, here's something to tide you over for a day or so. This is Nelson Riddle's "Route 66" theme, which was commissioned for the "Route 66" television show, that … Continue reading Cruising with Nelson Riddle
Next volume of “Route 66” series comes out in February
The TVshowsonDVD Web site reports that Volume 2 of the first season of the original "Route 66" television show is scheduled to be released Feb. 5. It will be another four-disc set with a suggested retail price of $29.95. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders for $20.99. We'll have more details when we get them.