The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph published a story about the Cattle Bandits, a country-rock band that’s opening a show for country star John Anderson at the McLean County Fair tomorrow night.
The Cattle Bandits’ soon-to-be-released CD, “Homegrown,” contains a few Route 66 references.
That’s the case as the style runs from the country of “Beaches of Rural Route One,” to Chuck Berry-styled rock and roll on “Ol’ 66,” which is, of course, about Route 66. Gordon said he wrote the song as he traveled the road back and forth to Ross’ home in Atlanta.
Despite the different styles, a listen to the lyrics reveals a common thread that many will recognize as the people and places of central Illinois. That is especially evident on the Creedence Clearwater Revival-style swamp rocker “Haunted Grove,” where “Back off the highway hidden in a grove of trees, there’s tombstone shadows and voices callin’ in the breeze.”
“It’s all about Funks Grove and the stories we all heard about it growing up,” explained Gordon.
Funks Grove is home to a Route 66 icon, Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, and has been the site of a few Bigfoot sightings.
You can hear a few of the band’s songs, including “Ol’ 66,” at its MySpace site here.
We will be making TV shows and movies following Route 66 line.