The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, aka OKPOP, will break ground this month across the street from the historic Cain’s Ballroom in downtown Tulsa, officials announced last week. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 23, and the governor and other officials will attend, reported the Tulsa World newspaper. Construction on the OKPOP … Continue reading OKPOP museum will break ground soon in downtown Tulsa
Category: Music
Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Here's a little side trip from Route 66 in southwest Missouri that's probably worth taking: a barn that's been converted into a shop for new and used vinyl records. The place is called Vintage Vinyl Purveyor, on the northeast side of Joplin. It's also close to the fellow Route 66 towns of Carterville and Carthage. … Continue reading Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip
Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
In the last few weeks, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen has tried to track down the inspiration to the Bruce Springsteen song "Sleepy Joe's Cafe," off the new, fascinating "Western Stars" album. It's easy to see why the opening lines of the song intrigued Allen: There's a place out on the highway 'cross … Continue reading Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?
More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Dave Hoekstra has scheduled more screenings of his "The Center of Nowhere" documentary about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, as he seeks to find digital distribution for his film. Hoekstra, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime Route 66 enthusiast, has been working on the film for seven years. According to a feature … Continue reading More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday
A new version of Red's Giant Hamburg opens Monday in Springfield, Missouri, decades after the original on Route 66 closed. The new Red's Giant Hamburg in south Springfield, Missouri. KY3-TV in Springfield posted a story over the weekend: The owner says he's been planning this restaurant for 25 years. Finding the right location and items … Continue reading New version of Red’s Giant Hamburg opens Monday
Arizona Route 66 association gives $10,000 to finish the restoration of Standin’ on a Corner wall
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona recently gave a $10,000 check to the Standin' on a Corner Foundation to finish a long-gestating restoration of the wall at that famed park in Winslow, Arizona. From left are Tommy Butler, a member of the Standin' on the Corner Foundation; Nikki Seegers, director of the Historic Route … Continue reading Arizona Route 66 association gives $10,000 to finish the restoration of Standin’ on a Corner wall
“Chuggin on Down 66” an early example of a Route 66 song
Here's a Route 66 song that escaped my notice for many years -- until recently. Country music artist Smiley Burnette in 1954 recorded and released "Chuggin on Down 66" on the Abbott label. Some attribute it also being on the London label, probably for the European market. https://youtu.be/k7UD3SgAvhw Near the end of the song, Burnette … Continue reading “Chuggin on Down 66” an early example of a Route 66 song
Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
World-famous songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate Bob Dylan three years ago painted a series of images that included more than a half-dozen images from Route 66 as part of his "The Beaten Path" series. The number of images from the Mother Road has increased. The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, posted this image … Continue reading Bob Dylan adds more Route 66 images to his paintings
Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Organizers for the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 announced they have acquired a building in downtown Joliet, with the hopes of opening it by next year. According to the Joliet Patch, the museum's organizers bought a three-story building at 9 W. Cass St. (seen above) that dates to the 1920s. The structure … Continue reading Site announced for Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90
Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and '70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90