Finally found a video of Del Reeves singing his biggest hit, "Girl on the Billboard," that I could embed here. This clip is from 1965. Listen closely for the Route 66 reference near the end.
“Here I am walking down 66 …”
I couldn't find Charley Pride performing "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone" on YouTube. But I did find Buck Owens covering it. And that's Buck's longtime cohort, Don Rich, playing fiddle and providing backup vocals. "Here I am walking down 66, wishing she hadn't done me that way ..."
A couple of globe trotters
KOTV in Tulsa caught up with Ezra Cooley, the cowboy who wants to circle the globe on horseback and raise money for the National Children's Cancer Society. Much of his path is on Route 66. The video segment is here. The story is here.
Play it loud
Here's a fast, sweaty and rollicking version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by British rock band Dr. Feelgood. This is one of the best versions of that song I've heard, if for no other reason than because it rocks.
A blast from the past
Here's an Illinois Lottery television commercial from 1994. Route 66 plays a significant role in the jackpot fantasy.
Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Dan O'Neil, the mayor of Edmond, Okla., wrote an opinion piece for the Edmond Sun. In it, O'Neil announced the city was selected by the Mayors' Institute of City Design to participate in a study. The group tries to resolve urban design problems. O'Neil lays out what he thinks needs to be addressed: What project … Continue reading Constructive criticism for a Route 66 town
Art inspired by Route 66 motels
Artist Victoria Taylor-Gore shows pastels from her "Route 66 series" in a slide show on YouTube. These works are inspired by motels from the 1940s to 1960s. Music is by jazz legend John Coltrane.
The Father of Truck-Driving Songs
Here's country star Dave Dudley, singing his signature hit "Six Days on the Road" during a 1970 television show. It was a big hit in 1963, and spawned many other truck-driving songs.
“… Just a memory now …”
Trailerdancer, a poster on YouTube, has recorded his version of Fred Eaglesmith's song, "White Rose," the story of a small-town filling station that was abandoned when it was bypassed by the interstate. The song doesn't specifically take place on Route 66, but the sad story is familiar to those who live on the Mother Road. … Continue reading “… Just a memory now …”
An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer today published an excellent story about Ed Gardner, one of the runners in the 3,400-mile transcontinental footrace, famously called the Bunion Derby, that took place on Route 66. As many Route 66ers know, Oklahoma native Andy Payne won the race and its $25,000 prize. But few know of Gardner, who was one … Continue reading An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby