See it before they take it down

In the past week, someone posted on YouTube the performance by Randy Newman and James Taylor of "Our Town" during the 2007 Academy Awards. The Oscar-nominated song came from the hit animated movie, "Cars." You'd better watch this while you can. The Academy had inexplicably banned YouTube from posting performances of songs during the telecast. … Continue reading See it before they take it down

If Rory wins, she wants to stay in Vega

A reader the other day posted an interesting question regarding Rory Schepisi being a finalist in "The Next Food Network Star": So if Rory wins the Food Network Star Challenge will she tape the show in Vega TX or will someone else be running the Boot Hill? I thought it was a pretty good question. … Continue reading If Rory wins, she wants to stay in Vega

A glimpse of Route 66, pre-revival

Lonestar101 has posted on YouTube a report from 1984 by KPRC-TV in Houston about Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle. (Embedding isn't allowed, but you can watch the video by clicking here.) The video, which is two segments totaling about eight minutes, gives us a fascinating look of Route 66 before Michael Wallis' seminal book, … Continue reading A glimpse of Route 66, pre-revival

Rory is in the finals

Will she be a bridesmaid again, or the bride? Rory Schepisi, who finished runner-up in the CMT's "Popularity Contest," made the finals of another reality TV show, "The Next Food Network Star." Schepisi is about to open a restaurant, Boot Hill Saloon and Grill, on Route 66 in Vega, Texas. A short video recap of … Continue reading Rory is in the finals

Dean Walker will appear on Leno

Dean Walker, a Kansas Route 66 advocate and one of the inspirations for Mater in last summer's animated movie "Cars," will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Wednesday. Prominent Route 66 author Michael Wallis, who's known Walker for years, said that Walker will do his turning-his-feet-backwards trick during an audience segment … Continue reading Dean Walker will appear on Leno

Rory Schepisi advances to top three in series

Rory Schepisi, the former "Popularity Contest" reality TV series contest who's about to open a new restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, advanced to the final three of another reality series, "The Next Food Network Star." Tune-in on Sunday, July 15th, at 9pm ET/PT as the remaining three finalists test their media skills when … Continue reading Rory Schepisi advances to top three in series

Report from the festival

Brent Weber of KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City interviewed Michael Wallis and Emily at the beautification project for the former Ray's Motel in Clinton, Okla., during the recent National Route 66 Festival.

Yum

Rory Schepisi, who's busy trying to get her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill open in Vega, Texas, won a contest in "The Next Food Network Star" TV series in that the dish she created appears on the July issue of Bon Appetit magazine. The dish is called Rory's Ribs with Grilled Corn, Cantaloupe and Fresh … Continue reading Yum

“Dukes of Hazzard” star snubs Litchfield festival

Former "Dukes of Hazzard" TV star John Schneider was scheduled to appear at the fourth annual Cruisin' Route 66 Classic Car Show during June 22-24 in Litchfield, Ill. However, the City of Litchfield made this announcement Friday: John Schneider of the Dukes of Hazzard television series was contracted with the City of Litchfield to appear … Continue reading “Dukes of Hazzard” star snubs Litchfield festival

Pilgrims start to arrive

Those who have waited years to see the unearthing of a 1957 Plymouth Belevdere from a time capsule began arriving in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, reported the Tulsa World. The newspaper talked to visitors from California, Georgia and England. Excavation of the burial vault that contained the Plymouth started Tuesday. There was, frankly, not that … Continue reading Pilgrims start to arrive