The Green Parrot Tavern comes down

The historic Green Parrot tavern, on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was torn down after collapsing underground mines severely compromised the integrity of the structure. KSN/KODE in nearby Joplin, Mo., has a report, including video of the demolition. The good news is that cleanup crews are sorting through the wreckage by hand and seek … Continue reading The Green Parrot Tavern comes down

Aussie reporter checks out Oklahoma’s 66

Washington correspondent Michael Rowland of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. took time off from the Beltway and checked out old Route 66 and some Harley riders on it in northeastern Oklahoma. You can view the eight-minute video here in both Windows Media Player and RealPlayer in both broadband and dialup speeds. It's a well-done, well-edited segment. … Continue reading Aussie reporter checks out Oklahoma’s 66

An evening at Boot Hill Saloon and Grill

The exterior of the Boot Hill Saloon & Grill, at the intersection of U.S. 385 and old Route 66 in Vega, Texas, looks like something from the 1880s Old West. But don't expect it to be a rough-and-tumble joint where fistfights between cowboys outnumber the bottles of red-eye whiskey. Sure, Boot Hill contains a lounge … Continue reading An evening at Boot Hill Saloon and Grill

“Route 66” — a mini preview

I don't yet have the first DVD box set of the first half-season of the "Route 66" television show. It's not going to be released until late October, and review copies haven't yet been mailed. However, the folks at Roxbury Entertainment sent a promotional DVD of one episode from 1960 -- "The Swan Bed," shot … Continue reading “Route 66” — a mini preview

George Maharis, singer?

Apparently so. Check out these videos of an old jukebox playing one of his old 45s. According to AllMusic.com, the "Route 66" television star released two albums in 1962. The Collectibles label combined the two into one compact disc in 2000. And, yes, Bobby Troup's "Route 66" is one of the songs that Maharis recorded.

What’s cooking at Boot Hill?

Here in Oklahoma, I haven't been able to go to Vega, Texas, and check out Rory Schepisi's recently opened Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66. However, the Amarillo Globe-News visited, and published a story about it Tuesday (free registration required). Some tidbits from the well-rounded article: Schepisi is considering opening another restaurant, in … Continue reading What’s cooking at Boot Hill?

Wallis and Colbert

Author Michael Wallis was on the Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" last week to plug his new book, "The Lincoln Highway." Here is the video clip of the interview: Wallis also is well-known for the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and mentions ol' 66 during the bantering. UPDATE 8/23/07: YouTube removed the video because … Continue reading Wallis and Colbert

A tribute to “Route 66”

This is one YouTube poster's tribute of the "Route 66" television show from 1960 to 1964. Soon, everyone will have the opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. You can pre-order the first half of season one of "Route 66" on DVD here. The set will hit the streets on Oct. 23.

Meeting of the minds

Author Michael Wallis was on "The Colbert Report" last night to plug his "The Lincoln Highway" book. He made a few mentions of Route 66 as well. If you missed the interview, you can view it here. (High-speed connection is recommended; even so, give it time to load and play.) Colbert teased to the segment … Continue reading Meeting of the minds

“Route 66” DVD box cover

Today, I received the image that will be used in the cover of the upcoming DVD set of the first half-season of the critically acclaimed "Route 66" television series. Here it is: With the news release that came with it, there's this item about the special features on the DVD: Come along for the ride … Continue reading “Route 66” DVD box cover