I talked with Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling “Route 66: The Mother Road” and more than a dozen other books, by phone Friday night from his home in Tulsa.
Wallis was in an expansive mood, and talked about a few things that probably will be of interest to roadies:
— Wallis and Jim Conkle, co-directors of the fledgling Route 66 Alliance, went to Springfield, Ill., on Thursday to pay a visit to Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, who is dying of cancer. Although Waldmire is gaunt and heavily medicated, Wallis said the session was “vintage Waldmire. God, it was a wonderful visit.”
— Wallis mentioned that a Springfield resident is quietly shooting footage about Waldmire for a documentary.
— Wallis said members of the Alliance in a few weeks will meet with John Lasseter, director of the 2006 Disney-Pixar movie “Cars,” to discuss the Route 66 Experience museum that will be built on 11th Street and Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa.
— Wallis has finished writing “David Crockett: Lion of the West,” a biography about celebrated frontiersman Davy Crockett. It is being edited, and is scheduled to be published in fall 2010. Wallis also is working on “The Wild West: 365 Days,” a photo-and-essays volume that is set to be in bookstores by Father’s Day 2011.
This is wonderful what Michael and Jim did. Glad you posted this. Is their any way i can send a card to Waldmire? If so please let me know= thanks. Good to hear about Michael-hadnt heard anything in awhile. thanks. Marcia Pannell
Dear Michael,I see that you write books on outlaws,.Have you thouht about the Dalton Gang.My husbands great unlce was one of the gang afher the ks bank robbery.Also there is a storie where his granny got to ride home with Pretty Boy.She was a teen then. She is long gone by now but we still remmber.I got to read the book on Mankiller,it was great. Have you done your family tree?/ One of our surnames is Wallace or Wallis. Great Grandpa spelled it both ways.And where was you born in St Louis?// I was born there to. But in 1956.My Mom’s family lived there for years. Please write back.