The folks behind the proposed Route 66 Experience museum in Tulsa launched a new website for it this week -- including artist's renderings of a few exhibits. News releases in May 2015 revealed earlier renderings of the museum. Organizers -- which include Route 66 Alliance members -- and the website both state they want to have it open … Continue reading New Route 66 Experience website offers look at the inside
Tag: Michael Wallis
Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
A group of middle-school students from rural Iowa captured a national title for their Route 66 presentation during the annual National History Day contest in Maryland last week. Jack Anderson, Jader Briggs, Megan Swancutt, Daytona Foley and Logan Smith of Akron-Westfield Community School in Akron, Iowa, finished first place in the Junior Group Performance division at nationals with … Continue reading Middle-schoolers’ Route 66 presentation wins national contest
“Boomtown: An American Journey” film nominated for an Emmy
The Tulsa history film "Boomtown: An American Journey" was nominated for an Emmy Award in the historical documentary group in the Heartland chapter. Russ Kirkpatrick, owner and producer of Kirkpatrick and Kinslow Productions that made the film, said in an email the Emmy announcement was made Thursday: As you may remember a component of the … Continue reading “Boomtown: An American Journey” film nominated for an Emmy
Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Michael Wallis, writer of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, will give a "State of the Mother Road" speech June 18 during the Vinita Route 66 Festival in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wallis long was known for his fiery "state of the road" speeches with his big, baritone voice during … Continue reading Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
A long-ago chat with Juan Delgadillo at the Snow Cap Drive-In
Anthony Reichardt recently posted another video from the early 1990s, when he and a pal drove Route 66 in a 1959 Cadillac. In it, Reichardt chats with Juan Delgadillo, late owner of the Snow Cap Drive-In restaurant in Seligman, Arizona, who put away the gags and other practical jokes for a few minutes. It's interesting, … Continue reading A long-ago chat with Juan Delgadillo at the Snow Cap Drive-In
Filmmaker needs music for Route 66 documentary
A New York-based filmmaker who's making a documentary, "The Revival," about the renaissance of Route 66 after it was decertified as a U.S. highway needs some music from Oklahomans to help her finish the film. Kaila Keller, who hails from Tulsa, centers much of the film around her hometown and Oklahoma, although footage on Route 66 … Continue reading Filmmaker needs music for Route 66 documentary
Mother Road Revival folk festival in Tulsa announced
A folk music and film festival Sept. 8-11 in Tulsa called the Mother Road Revival that pays tribute to Route 66 was announced this morning at the city's BOK Center arena, with popular country-rock artist Jason Isbell as the headlining act. The Mother Road Revival will occur at several venues that weekend that also include … Continue reading Mother Road Revival folk festival in Tulsa announced
“Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
The "Boomtown" film, a 41-minute documentary about the history of Tulsa that screened in theaters this summer, now is available on DVD, streaming and download. The film documents Tulsa's history, including its rise as an oil town and its key role in Route 66, with interview footage of "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and … Continue reading “Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
“The Hidden Voices of Route 66”
David Dunaway's keynote speech, "The Hidden Voices of Route 66," to begin the Miles of Possibility: The Edwardsville Route 66 Conference on Oct. 27 at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois, set a candid tone for much of the weekend's presentations. Using audio clips from his "Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story" audio program and excerpts … Continue reading “The Hidden Voices of Route 66”
“The Club”
"Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis emailed this essay, titled "The Club," on Monday night, just days after the remaining walls of the historic but long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, were torn down. I commend this to your attention. Below is the essay in its entirety. --- It was a … Continue reading “The Club”