The Journal-Record in Oklahoma City recently published a long feature, via the Associated Press, about StableRidge Vineyards along Route 66 in Stroud, Okla. The story about winery, which has operated for nearly 10 years by Don and Annetta Neal, contains these fascinating nuggets: The main building of the site is a former Catholic church. Annetta … Continue reading How a winery in Stroud became a tourist attraction
Take a cruise with Hank Crawford
Jazz artist Hank Crawford, with a small group of six other musicians, delivers his take on Bobby Troup's "Route 66" in 1965. https://youtu.be/QTGJ1K9eeok Crawford, who died in 2009, perhaps was best-known for being the musical director for Ray Charles as well as his recording career. He also provided musical arrangements for Lou Rawls and Etta … Continue reading Take a cruise with Hank Crawford
Case squad tackles unsolved murder on Route 66
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in northern Arizona has assembled a cold-case squad in an effort to solve about three dozen long-unsolved murders in the area, including one on Route 66 just east of Twin Arrows more than 40 years ago, reported the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper. A group of are criminal investigators and retired law … Continue reading Case squad tackles unsolved murder on Route 66
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
Atlanta begins second Route 66 Reinterpreted art contest
The Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., is calling for submissions for its second annual Route 66 Reinterpreted art project, where contestants re-imagine the iconic Route 66 shield sign. According to a news release from Atlanta: Participating artists will be provided a blank, 2-by-2-foot wooden cutout of the Route 66 highway shield, painted white, which … Continue reading Atlanta begins second Route 66 Reinterpreted art contest
“Route 66” with guitar and harmonica
For all of its hundreds of versions out there, it continually amazes me how folks can keep freshening up a nearly 70-year-old "Route 66." This time, Mike Shaw does it with an acoustic guitar and adept harmonica playing with Bobby Troup's immortal road-trip tune. The video was shot by Mike Gaboark. https://youtu.be/ArJsP4Dj6SQ And check out … Continue reading “Route 66” with guitar and harmonica
Upcoming film set along Route 66
An upcoming independent film titled "The Frontier," starring Kelly Lynch of "Magic City" and "The Drugstore Cowboy" and Jim Beaver of "Deadwood," will take place in a motel along Route 66, reported Deadline Hollywood. Pic is set in 1974 along Route 66 and centers on a desperate woman on the run from the law who … Continue reading Upcoming film set along Route 66
Tai chi on the Mother Road
Personal trainer Dianna Dimmitt recently demonstrated TaijiFit -- a form of tai chi -- on a traffic island in the middle of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque, near the Frontier Restaurant. https://youtu.be/Nw_xw_oyfck Dimmitt said on Twitter that no one yelled or tried to stop her during her performance. It's probably because if you … Continue reading Tai chi on the Mother Road
Life-size replica of Tow Mater will be auctioned
A man in Washington state who built a life-size replica of Tow Mater from the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movies will auction the truck Arizona later this month, according to the Daily Herald of Everett, Wash. The film's original inspiration to Tow Mater -- a rusty 1951 International boom truck -- still sits on Route 66 in … Continue reading Life-size replica of Tow Mater will be auctioned
“Route 66” remixed
DJay Redo of Oldenburg, Germany, created a reggae-flavored remix of Nat King Cole Trio's "Route 66." And he remixed Cole's video as well. https://youtu.be/tKJvv0xL5lY DJay Redo has uploaded that and other remixed songs from the Cole Trio, Earth, Wind & Fire and Billy Idol at his Soundcloud account. Some might object to Cole's song being … Continue reading “Route 66” remixed