According to KRT Productions, a Schaumburg, Ill.- based company, this little video was created for WYCC-TV in Chicago, a PBS station. Other than that, I know nothing. I'm assuming it's for an upcoming documentary by the station. I'll try to find out more. UPDATE: Kathy Rivera, president of KRT, replied to an e-mail that her … Continue reading Nicely done
2010 in review
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here's a high level summary of its overall blog health: The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow. Crunchy numbers A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats. The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed … Continue reading 2010 in review
Exploring ruins
This video by Krzysztof Snazyk features decaying remains of Route 66 businesses east of Amarillo, Texas, although you can see the restored U-Drop Inn in Shamrock here.
The old neon cross
The Alton (Ill.) Telegraph published a story about the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, Ill., which has featured a blue neon cross atop it that Route 66 and Interstate 55 travelers have gazed upon since the 1940s. A story about the neon cross that you may not have known: The cross was dedicated in … Continue reading The old neon cross
Hello from Italy
Here's Urban Blues, a band based in Italy, doing a credible blues performance of Bobby Troup's most famous song.
Happy new year
It just turned 2011. To celebrate the occasion, here's The Bottom Line Band of Louisville, Ky., performing a blues-rock version of Bobby Troup's beloved road song.
Catoosa seeks grant to buy Blue Whale
The city of Catoosa, Okla., has applied for a $600,000 grant to buy the iconic Blue Whale landmark and make improvements on its grounds, according to the Claremore Daily Progress. Officials should know by February whether it receives a state Transportation Enhancement Grant to purchase the Blue Whale, enlarge its parking lot, install decorative signs, and build … Continue reading Catoosa seeks grant to buy Blue Whale
Severe storms, tornadoes strike Missouri and Illinois
Severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes lashed Missouri and Illinois roughly along the Route 66 corridor on Friday. Developments are coming fast, so here's the important stuff so far: A tornado touched down in Fort Leonard Wood near Waynesville, Mo., injuring at least three and prompting a temporary closure of the military base. A state of … Continue reading Severe storms, tornadoes strike Missouri and Illinois
Bankruptcy filing prevents foreclosure of theater
The trust that owns the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield, Mo., filed for bankruptcy late Thursday afternoon to stave off a foreclosure sale scheduled for today, reported the Springfield News-Leader today. The historic theater, on an early alignment of Route 66, faced foreclosure over nonpayment of a $3.5 million loan with Guaranty Bank. The theater … Continue reading Bankruptcy filing prevents foreclosure of theater
Hello from Japan
This is a version of Bobby Troup's famous song by The Roosters, a Japanese rockabilly band that recorded in the late 1970s to the late 1980s. According to the YouTube listing, this is a previously unreleased song from a studio session.