Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

The Google Doodle on Google’s homepage on Saturday will contain a commissioned work of an artist’s representation of Route 66. Allison Hacker of M Booth Communications alerted us to the forthcoming Google Doodle in an email about two weeks ago: While every Doodle has a story behind it, this specific one has a 2,448-mile-long journey. … Continue reading Google Doodle contains an artist’s tribute to Route 66

30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022

Several 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s megahit “Unforgettable … With Love” album are coming early next year. That record remains best-known for its smash duet single, “Unforgettable,” with her deceased father, Nat King Cole. “Unforgettable …. with Love” also contains Natalie’s own version of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” a Bobby Troup-written song made … Continue reading 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022

Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall

A Czech metal band called Doga recently performed its song “Route 66” on a staircase of city hall in Joplin, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe: There have been more than 1.2 million views of the band Doga and its song “Route 66,” released last year on YouTube. The band performed the song on acoustic … Continue reading Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall

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

Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life

A few weeks ago, the MyHeritage genealogy website released an artificial intelligence program called Deep Nostalgia. It takes still photographs of people, analyzes them and animates their faces in a lifelike way by making them seemingly blink their eyes, move their heads and make subtle movements with their lips. The effect often proves amazing, unsettling … Continue reading Artificial intelligence program brings deceased Route 66 figures seemingly to life

An alternate version of “Route 66” by Bing Crosby

Here’s a version of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” that I haven’t heard before now. It’s Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and Chorus during “Philco Radio Time” on Oct. 30, 1946. Crosby earlier that year recorded a version of Bobby Troup’s song with the Andrew Sisters, which reached No. 14 … Continue reading An alternate version of “Route 66” by Bing Crosby

William Shatner gets his kicks on “Route 66” song

William Shatner, best known for his role as Captain Kirk in the “Star Trek” television series and movies, recorded a version of Bobby Troup’s “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” for his new blues album. The song includes guitarist Steve Cropper, who played with Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the MGs and … Continue reading William Shatner gets his kicks on “Route 66” song

“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

New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture

A new exhibit at an arts center in Joplin, Missouri, examines the cross-cultural impact of Route 66 from a native of that town. “Route 66: Crossing Cultural Lines,” curated by artist and former American Jazz Museum curator Sara Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, will be in the main gallery of the Spiva Center for the Arts in … Continue reading New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture