Book review: “Route 66 American Icon”

Here's a sign a photography book is really good: When I first opened it, I gasped. And when my wife saw the images in it, she gasped as well. Photographer Shannon Richardson's new book, "Route 66 American Icon" (160 pages, hardback, self-published, $66), will elicit that sort of reaction. It proves to be a testament to the … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 American Icon”

A barrelhouse cruise

Rhythm-and-blues piano players often were described as "barrelhouse" piano players. The late Floyd Dixon shows how it was done with Bobby Troup's song in 1996. https://youtu.be/u68HgtG948w

“A Collision of Worlds”

This video was posted on the British Disney site. It's the Brad Paisley and Robbie Williams collaboration on the "Cars 2" soundtrack. You'll hear Route 66 mentioned in the song. https://youtu.be/TIk-tbDMD5w "Cars 2" opens in the U.S. a week from today.

Michael Wallis’ “State of the Road” speech

Each year at the International Route 66 Festival awards banquet, "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis makes a "State of the Road" speech. Save for a time when it was streamed live, I'm not aware anyone has ever posted video of Wallis' Route 66 speeches on the Internet. Wallis owns a great baritone … Continue reading Michael Wallis’ “State of the Road” speech

In appreciation of Bill Kinder

In a matter of days, Bill Kinder, with his wife Terri Anderson, of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., will turn over the keys to new owners Kevin and Nancy Mueller. Bill and Terri will move to the Laughlin, Nev., area. Bill enjoyed owning the Blue Swallow, but has battled cancer for years. In the … Continue reading In appreciation of Bill Kinder

An image from the Mother Road

Nests of hundreds of barn swallows on an Interstate 40 underpass west of Clinton, Okla., on old Route 66 on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

Angel’s story

This is an excerpt from the recently released film "Route 66 Arizona." This segment concentrates on Angel Delgadillo and his hometown, Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/YHWjLkkkHJk The DVD of this film can be purchased here.

An image from the Mother Road

Graffiti on a car at Bug Ranch, off Route 66 in Conway, Texas, on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

A chip off the old block

We'd heard a rumor of a new restaurant along Route 66 in Clinton, Okla., that used recipes from Pop Hicks restaurant, which burned down in a fire in 1999 and was never rebuilt. That rumor turned out to be false. However, the restaurant in question, Gayla's at the Market, turned out to have long Route … Continue reading A chip off the old block

A word on Hampton Inns

We've always urged using local mom-and-pop motels during your Route 66 travels on this site's Lodging listings. However, from the earliest days of Route 66 News, we've also recommended Hampton Inn if you want a chain motel instead. That's partly because of Hampton Inn's Landmarks program, of which several Route 66 properties have benefited. In … Continue reading A word on Hampton Inns