KC Keefer adds to his "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with a talk with Route 66 artist, author and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his studio in Chandler, Oklahoma. https://youtu.be/ISZLdWzTx2o McClanahan has been traveling regularly on Route 66 for more than 30 years, and his memories of the Mother Road date back even further. Novice … Continue reading A chat with Jerry McClanahan
Category: Books
Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Some may assume Cyrus Avery became known as "The Father of Route 66" simply because he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when the highway became designated and federally certified in 1926. But as Susan Croce Kelly's well-researched new biography shows, Avery's involvement in Route 66's birth and … Continue reading Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Former owner of Club Cafe dies
Ron Chavez, 78, a former owner of the long-closed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, who later became noted as a writer and poet, died Oct. 15 in Albuquerque, reported the Taos News. His daughter, Sonia Valdez, told the newspaper he died of complications from diabetes and a stroke. The family declined to give … Continue reading Former owner of Club Cafe dies
Route 66 coloring book published
The "Route 66 Coloring Book," in conjunction with American Road magazine, was published a few weeks ago by creator Rich Newman, writers Dave and Laura Newman, and illustrator Abby Smith on the Coloring Books USA imprint. Here's a description of the book: Route 66 is one of the country's most traveled routes stretching from Illinois … Continue reading Route 66 coloring book published
Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Author Marian Clark of Tulsa and the late J.M. Davis of Claremore will be inducted Oct. 18 into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, according to a release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The ceremony is slated for 2 p.m. and will be free to the … Continue reading Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Book review: “The 66 Kid”
"The 66 Kid" is not your typical memoir. Then again, Bob Boze Bell isn't a typical fellow. Nearly all memoirs consist of a few hundred typewritten pages with a few dozen black-and-white photos crammed into the center. But Boze, best-known as owner of True West magazine and as a western-themed artist, treats his early life story … Continue reading Book review: “The 66 Kid”
Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Filmmaker P.J. Palmer of (twenty)2 films is making a documentary movie about John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" novel after acquiring official rights from the Steinbeck estate, according to a news release. The new documentary "The Grapes of Wrath: We Shall Overcome" began filming in New York City last month interviewing James Franco, who is currently … Continue reading Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Book review: “On Reading The Grapes of Wrath”
I have bad news and good news about Susan Shillinglaw's "On Reading The Grapes of Wrath," a behind-the-scenes look on the writing and marketing of John Steinbeck's classic and controversial novel that marks its 75th anniversary this year. The bad news is Shillinglaw's book (paperback, 206 pages, Penguin) delves very little into the Joad family's journey on Route 66 ("the road … Continue reading Book review: “On Reading The Grapes of Wrath”
Artist will hold public unveiling of Gay Parita painting
Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan will have a public unveiling of his newest painting of Gary Turner's Gay Parita gas station at the station near Halltown, Mo., on Saturday, May 17. According to a news release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a meet-and-greet with hot dogs and soda will be at noon, with the official unveiling at … Continue reading Artist will hold public unveiling of Gay Parita painting
“The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today
John Steinbeck's famous novel about the Great Depression and a family's Moses-like journey on Route 66, "The Grapes of Wrath," was published 75 years ago today. The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., is marking the anniversary all year, and I'll post a review of a new book about the writing of the novel when … Continue reading “The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today