New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Oklahoma County and several residents of a stretch of original Route 66 on Monday installed a sign that commemorated a brief stop by a former Beatle, Paul McCartney, there in 2008. Shellee Graham, who lives on that segment of historic road with Route 66 historian Jim Ross, was there to help document the installation with … Continue reading New sign marks Paul McCartney’s brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma

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

“Dukes of Hazzard” star makes an apparent mental side trip on Route 66

I stumbled upon this story about former "Dukes of Hazzard" television star John Schneider's upcoming show at the Five Star Dive Bar in downtown Elkhart, Indiana. Anyone alive from 1979 to 1985 probably remembers Schneider's Dixie-fried comedy farce on CBS-TV with co-stars Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach. But Schneider also had a successful career as … Continue reading “Dukes of Hazzard” star makes an apparent mental side trip on Route 66

William Shatner gets his kicks on “Route 66” song

William Shatner, best known for his role as Captain Kirk in the "Star Trek" television series and movies, recorded a version of Bobby Troup's "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" for his new blues album. The song includes guitarist Steve Cropper, who played with Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the MGs and … Continue reading William Shatner gets his kicks on “Route 66” song

“Austin City Limits” will air Asleep At the Wheel retrospective Oct. 31

The long-running PBS-TV music program "Austin City Limits" next month will broadcast a special retrospective on the western-swing band Asleep at the Wheel, both of which is marking its 50th anniversary. Asleep At the Wheel performed on the show's first episode back in 1970. In total, the band has appeared on the show 11 times … Continue reading “Austin City Limits” will air Asleep At the Wheel retrospective Oct. 31

2014 Ozark Mountain Daredevils show to stream on Birthplace of Route 66 site

A now-legendary concert by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils during the 2014 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival in Springfield, Missouri, will be rebroadcast Sept. 4 on the festival's website. That sold-out show, which the band gave the city permission to livestream that night from inside the historic Gillioz Theatre to a screen at Park Central Square, … Continue reading 2014 Ozark Mountain Daredevils show to stream on Birthplace of Route 66 site

Rihanna paints anti-Trump message on Cadillac Ranch; Trump supporters respond

It's an election year, so that means pro and con messages about presidential candidates will abound on Route 66 in the coming months. That includes at the famed Cadillac Ranch along Route 66 in Amarillo, where pop megastar Rihanna -- the one with 250 million records sold in her career -- spraypainted a message on … Continue reading Rihanna paints anti-Trump message on Cadillac Ranch; Trump supporters respond

Future home of Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 given landmark status

The historic building that will house the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in downtown Joliet was given landmark status by the city council. The Herald-News had some details about the landmark designation: The building at 9 W. Cass St. was the original home of the White Store and later housed the local … Continue reading Future home of Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 given landmark status

Bill Mack, R.I.P.

Bill Mack, a songwriter who helped launch LeAnn Rimes' career and a radio deejay whose overnight show proved popular with long-haul truckers, died July 31 of COVID-19 complications. He was 88. Mack, whose real surname was Smith, remains the most famous native of the Route 66 town of Shamrock, Texas. The town even has an … Continue reading Bill Mack, R.I.P.

Blake Shelton concert to be simulcast at 300 drive-ins, including three on Route 66

Country star Blake Shelton announced Wednesday he will perform a concert July 25 that will be simulcast at 300 drive-in theaters across the United States -- another sign drive-ins became suddenly viable venues amid the coronavirus pandemic. Guest stars will include Shelton's wife, Gwen Stefani, and another country star, Trace Adkins. Prices will be about $115 … Continue reading Blake Shelton concert to be simulcast at 300 drive-ins, including three on Route 66