Otis Gibbs, who regularly posts interviews with music artists on his YouTube channel, recently was traveling on Route 66 and by happenstance bumped into Roger Miller's brother in front of the Roger Miller mural in his adopted hometown of Erick, Oklahoma. You'll find the quirky sense of humor Roger had was passed along to his … Continue reading A chance meeting with Roger Miller’s brother in Erick
Category: Music
Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
A Czech metal band called Doga recently performed its song "Route 66" on a staircase of city hall in Joplin, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe: There have been more than 1.2 million views of the band Doga and its song "Route 66," released last year on YouTube. The band performed the song on acoustic … Continue reading Czech metal band performs “Route 66” in Joplin City Hall
Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66
A few days ago, Ruben Castelo Moure of Spain emailed me, letting me know he had created a music video for his power pop band, Maryland, that takes place in varying spots along Route 66. "Last year I went on a honeymoon trip to the US to travel along Route 66 for a month and … Continue reading Music video by Spain rock group takes place in various spots on Route 66
Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
The fabled Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque along Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, is holding a 100th birthday celebration party on Oct. 21. According to an excellent article in the Springfield News-Leader (including cool photos of the shrine's construction), the shrine's recorder says it's the only building along Route 66 in Springfield being used for … Continue reading Springfield’s Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque marking its 100th anniversary this month
Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director
Robby Robinson, a keyboardist and music director for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons since 1978 and a native of the Route 66 town of Litchfield, Illinois, has organized the "Get Your Kicks Tour '23 -- A Musical Trip Down Route 66" in October. The tour includes guitarist Vinny Martell of Vanilla Fudge, Travis Cloer … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 concert tour organized by Frankie Valli’s longtime music director
Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
A road film featuring Bentenya, a group of Chindon-ya performers from Japan, will be shooting on Route 66 starting Sept. 13. During their journey, the girls will meet people, introduce Japanese culture and perform Japanese and American music "as a new way of nurturing 150 years of Chin-don culture while on historic Route 66 in … Continue reading Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
The Oklahoma City/County Historical Society and the City of Bethany, Oklahoma, recently placed a roadside marker on Route 66 to commemorate the late songwriter and singer Tommy Collins. Collins probably is best known for writing "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin'), which was a big hit both for Faron Young and George Strait. Here's … Continue reading Roadside marker in Bethany commemorates musician Tommy Collins
Songwriter records an ode to the Allsup’s burrito
A Texas-based songwriter a few months ago recorded a tribute to Allsup's burritos, a staple at the regional convenience-store chain primarily in Texas, New Mexico, plus a few in Oklahoma. Allsup's are littered along two states on Route 66 corridor, with Shamrock, Texas, at the most eastern point and Gallup, New Mexico, at the westernmost, … Continue reading Songwriter records an ode to the Allsup’s burrito
Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
The Joliet-based Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 recently announced its third class of inductees, and one of them made a key impact on Route 66 itself. That would be Nat King Cole, who was born in Alabama but spent his formative years in Chicago. He popularized "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" … Continue reading Nat King Cole among new inductees at Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66
Coffee shop coming to long-vacant Red’s Giant Hamburg property
A Trailer Perk Coffee shop is under construction at the lot that contained Red's Giant Hamburg restaurant in Springfield, Missouri, nearly 40 years ago. Route 66 News reader and Springfield resident Mark Mahy sent over a recent photo of the construction of the coffee shop underway. Despite the location being the home of Red's for … Continue reading Coffee shop coming to long-vacant Red’s Giant Hamburg property