Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album

Western swing band Asleep At the Wheel last week released an album that marks its 50th anniversary, "Half of a Hundred Years," that includes a new version of "Route 66." The new cut of "Route 66" includes guest vocalists Leroy Preston and Johnny Nicholas to accompany the band's longtime lead singer, Ray Benson. Preston was … Continue reading Asleep At the Wheel releases new version of “Route 66” for 50th-anniversary album

“Austin City Limits” will air Asleep At the Wheel retrospective Oct. 31

The long-running PBS-TV music program "Austin City Limits" next month will broadcast a special retrospective on the western-swing band Asleep at the Wheel, both of which is marking its 50th anniversary. Asleep At the Wheel performed on the show's first episode back in 1970. In total, the band has appeared on the show 11 times … Continue reading “Austin City Limits” will air Asleep At the Wheel retrospective Oct. 31

George Strait concert booked in Tulsa with a Route 66 twist

The BOK Center in Tulsa announced Monday that country-music superstar George Strait would perform a concert there June 2, 2018. But it's not just any concert. Strait retired from touring a few years ago and plays only a handful of dates annually. He's booked only two shows in 2018, so this will be a hot … Continue reading George Strait concert booked in Tulsa with a Route 66 twist

Another band takes inspiration from Route 66

It appears we can add another music group that takes a lot of inspiration from Route 66. It's the Mother Road Trio, based in the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Arizona. It's got a new album, "On Route 66," coming out today during a release party at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. For … Continue reading Another band takes inspiration from Route 66

“Route 66” with the Time Jumpers

Here's something special. Ray Benson, frontman for the western-swing outfit Asleep At the Wheel, sings "Route 66" with the Time Jumpers during a recent gig in Nashville. https://youtu.be/Bdm23K7xYls In case you didn't know, the Time Jumpers is a group of Nashville studio musicians who started playing classic country, swing, jazz and pop songs together nearly 20 … Continue reading “Route 66” with the Time Jumpers

What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?

Hundreds of versions exist of Bobby Troup's song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," better known simply as "Route 66," that he wrote during a cross-country trip on that highway after World War II. Route 66 News has posted dozens of versions of the "Route 66" song. It's time to take stock and see which version … Continue reading What is the best version of the “Route 66” song?

An oldie with the Dixie Chicks

The YouTube account that posted this today proclaims this 20-plus-year-old clip as "rare." I see no reason to disbelieve that. It's Ray Benson of the western swing band Asleep At the Wheel singing "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" with an early edition of the Dixie Chicks on the "American Music Shop" television show, which … Continue reading An oldie with the Dixie Chicks

23,000 attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

About 23,000 people visited downtown Springfield, Missouri, during the past weekend's Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, only in its fifth year of existence. About 5,000 also attended the Route 66 parade during the festival, according to city officials cited Sunday by KSPR-TV in Springfield. More than 400 entries were in the parade. Business owners, including … Continue reading 23,000 attend Birthplace of Route 66 Festival

Cruising with Asleep at the Wheel

Lord knows we've posted a lot of performances by western swing band Asleep At the Wheel on this site. But this is a well-produced video: The band playing "Route 66" at Billy Bob's Texas, the famous club in Fort Worth. https://youtu.be/OMWLl4KcELI The band always performs Bobby Troup’s “Route 66″ at every show, and bandleader Ray … Continue reading Cruising with Asleep at the Wheel