Dixie Evans, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike who co-founded Exotic World (later the Burlesque Hall of Fame) on a former goat farm near Route 66 near Helendale, Calif., died this past weekend, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and other media outlets on Monday. She was 86. The newspaper said Evans had been in an assisted-care … Continue reading Exotic World co-founder Dixie Evans dies
Notes from the Route 66 festival
This post will be a placekeeper of tidbits and news from the just-completed International Route 66 Festival in Joplin, Mo. First off, here's an unedited video from the Friday part of the festival weekend that includes Gary Turner at Gay Parita station and the Boots Motel: https://youtu.be/OrQ2crgmiWY Longtime roadie Jennifer Bremer posted about 130 photos … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 festival
A concert between two Packards
Here's The Road Crew, performing Bobby Troup's best-known song between two Packards at Afton Station in Afton, Okla. This was during the International Route 66 Festival weekend in nearby Joplin, Mo. https://youtu.be/FYTqfmMnoTQ
Please take a survey about Route 66
Nick Gerlich, a marketing professor at West Texas A&M University, has turned into a Route 66 enthusiast in recent years and has explored even the most obscure alignments of the Mother Road. Here's a new video about him and his hobby: https://youtu.be/tl4VgVgJkD4 As he mentioned in the clip, Gerlich and several other professors are taking a … Continue reading Please take a survey about Route 66
George Benson’s new version of “Route 66”
We'd previously mentioned jazz artist George Benson's new tribute album to Nat King Cole. Here's his version of "Route 66" from that LP. https://youtu.be/5r1wIFlPVxs You can download it for $1.29 here from Amazon.
Casting director for “Route 66” featured in HBO film
Marion Dougherty, a casting director for the "Route 66" television drama of the early 1960s, will be featured in the documentary "Casting By" on Monday night on the HBO cable network, according to the Los Angeles Times. Dougherty also led the casting for television's "Naked City" and the films "The Sting," "Midnight Cowboy," "The Paper Chase," … Continue reading Casting director for “Route 66” featured in HBO film
Bono’s Restaurant gets approval to move — if he wants it
The long-closed Bono's Restaurant and Deli in Fontana, Calif., received approval Friday from the California Historical Resources Commission to move the landmark about 20 feet from Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) so the road can be widened. Whether the owner, Joe Bono, wants to move is another matter. According to an earlier story in the … Continue reading Bono’s Restaurant gets approval to move — if he wants it
Totem Pole Trading Post marks 80th year
The Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Mo., is marking its 80th year on Route 66, although the current longtime owner may not hold it for much longer, reported the Rolla Daily News. A bit of history from the newspaper: "We are the last original mom and pop store left on this historic road," said owner Tim Jones who … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post marks 80th year
“American Giants,” Episode 3
Joel Baker has posted on YouTube the third episode of his "American Giants" series, which delves into the history of giant fiberglass figures, aka Muffler Men. This episode's focus is the Muffler Man on Route 66 in Atlanta, Ill. https://youtu.be/QIJ-71dVb-M You'll see footage of the Muffler Man being dismantled in Cicero, Ill., and being moved … Continue reading “American Giants,” Episode 3
Notes from the Route 66 Summit
I'm unable to attend the International Route 66 Festival in Joplin, Mo., this year because of an employment change. However, Emily Priddy (aka Redforkhippie) has been live-tweeting from today's Route 66 Summit in Joplin. Here are some of the newsy bits from it, including the announcement of the festival's host city for 2014: https://twitter.com/redforkhippie/status/363341609343004672 https://twitter.com/redforkhippie/status/363330281916211200 … Continue reading Notes from the Route 66 Summit