This hasn't yet been posted on the Route 66 Association of Missouri's Web site, but I received a mailer that announces the association's 19th annual motor tour will be Sept. 5-7. The tour starts with registration at the Comfort Inn in Collinsville, Ill., on Friday. Saturday includes dinner at Zeno's Motel and Steakhouse in Rolla, … Continue reading Missouri motor tour runs in September
Early R.E.M.
Googley5 has sent me this YouTube video that features the earliest live-in-concert recording of Rock Hall of Famers R.E.M., way back in 1980 at the famous 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga. The four songs include "Route 66."
Lawman museum being located on Route 66
The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Museum and Hall of Fame will be located in Chandler, at least temporarily on Route 66, the Daily Oklahoman reported. Chandler is the hometown of one of Oklahoma's most famous police officers, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bill Tilghman. The museum will be built next to the historic armory building, which now houses … Continue reading Lawman museum being located on Route 66
UPDATED: “Girl on the Billboard” was for real?
Today, I got a comment from a reader that stopped me in my tracks. Dennis chimed in with a post about Del Reeves' million-selling 1965 hit, "Girl on the Billboard": I lived in Edwardsville Illinois and remember that billboard on a curve about where Esic housing entrance is right now. They call that road 157 … Continue reading UPDATED: “Girl on the Billboard” was for real?
Country kicks
Canadian country artist Beverly Mahood contributes to a swinging version of "Route 66." Her band does a lot of nice soloing work here.
More “Route 66” DVDs coming in May
TV Shows on DVD reports that Roxbury Entertainment will be releasing the entire first season of the "Route 66" television series in an eight-DVD set on May 20. The Season 1 set will retail for $49.95, including all the extra features (Corvette overviews, filmographies of the cast, and original commercials). Also on May 20, the … Continue reading More “Route 66” DVDs coming in May
Route 66 stretch may be added to National Register
A section of old Route 66 on the southeast edge of Springfield, Ill., has been recommended by a state advisory panel to the National Register of Historic Places, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. According to the article, it's a 1.3-mile section of road between East Lake Shore Drive and New City Road, south of the lake. … Continue reading Route 66 stretch may be added to National Register
“Oklahoma Hills”
Here's an excellent video with accompaniment by Red Dirt music artist Jimmy LaFave singing "Oklahoma Hills." The footage definitely carries a western Oklahoma vibe (keep your eyes peeled for a certain highway shield). It captures the amazing topography and romance of the Sooner State as well as anything I can think of. In case you're … Continue reading “Oklahoma Hills”
The fest that’s the best
OK, perhaps the post title is laying it on a bit thick. But among Route 66 enthusiasts, the Route 66 Festival with its Will Rogers Awards banquet are among the first things that they circle on their calendars. Route 66 Festival '08 takes place on June 18-22 in Litchfield, Ill. The festival includes the town's … Continue reading The fest that’s the best
The saga of the Eagle Hotel
The Chicago Tribune has just published an exemplary article about Bill Scales' efforts to renovate the historic Eagle Hotel on Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., and the city's growing impatience over the long-delayed project. Check it out.