Harley and Annabelle Russell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame

Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers of Erick, Oklahoma, were inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.

The inductees were announced Monday by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association president Rhys Martin, though Harley was presented with his and his late wife’s plaques during a ceremony Sunday at his Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick.

Harley re-posted Bazaar on 66’s video of Martin presenting the plaques:

The association every two years chooses two new members — one living, one deceased — for its Hall of Fame. Harley, who is still performing, and Annabelle, who died of cancer in 2014, fit both criteria.

Disclosure: I nominated Harley and Annabelle earlier this year, though it would not have surprised me if someone else nominated them, too.

Martin wrote about the genesis of the couple becoming Route 66 icons:

In 1999, Harley and Annabelle were just hanging out, picking on their guitars … when a man poked his head in the door. He asked if he could bring some people inside to listen. Harley said yes … and instead of one or two people an entire busload of tourists poured into their little shop. They had such a good time hootin’ and hollerin’ with Harley and Annabelle that the Russells decided to form the Mediocre Music Makers. They weren’t musicians – they were performers. They were partners.
They encouraged travelers to stop and, “see rednecks work and play in their own environment.” That environment includes an amazing collection of Route 66 memorabilia; the old brick meat market building cannot contain it all. Nor can the Redneck Castle just over yonder. Nothing is for sale because it’s not about the money. It’s about the experience. Harley has joked, “We do not have anything that has to follow any kind of regulation because we can’t even regulate ourselves.”
People from all over the world have stopped in Erick to hear the music; everybody leaves with a story to tell. These travelers are often greeted with the flag of their home country and welcome signs made by Annabelle herself. The lovable Mater from Pixar’s Cars films feels like a child born of this couple, for good reason. The crew stopped here on their research road trip for the first movie.
Harley and Annabelle became beloved institutions of the Mother Road. Entertaining guests was a full-time gig; they survived on the tips and donations from visitors.

Martin closed with these words:

Those that have stopped here have said that there is no accurate way to describe their visit; you just have to stop and experience it for yourself. It truly is, “Insanity at its finest.”
I found a quote from 2003 that Annabelle said to a traveler. “Happiness doesn’t come from all the things outside; it comes from inside.” The Mediocre Music Makers have been lit that fire of inward happiness for an incalculable number of travelers.
Harley, it’s your turn to get the best of OUR love. Congratulations. Our road wouldn’t be the same without you.

I found a video of Harley and Annabelle in vintage form. I feel sorry for anyone who never experienced their schtick in person.

The Russells are deserving because what they did was unique, and many Route 66 travelers have their stop at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop was the most memorable moment of their journeys.

(Image of Harley Russell with his and Annabelle Russell’s Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame plaques via Oklahoma Route 66 Association)