New Bob Dylan artwork features Route 66

A new show, "The Beaten Path," at a gallery in London features Bob Dylan artwork that includes several images of Route 66. The Halcyon Gallery is showing the famed singer-songwriter and recent Nobel laureate's acrylic paintings, sketches and watercolors of American landscapes through Dec. 11. According to Vanity Fair, Dylan had worked on them for the past 2 … Continue reading New Bob Dylan artwork features Route 66

Honeymooners’ trip down Route 66

The good folks at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, flagged this video the other day on Facebook, saying: Giacomo and Giulia from Italy traveled Route 66 on their Honeymoon earlier this year, and we were honored to have them as our guests. They've just released this fun video of their trip. I … Continue reading Honeymooners’ trip down Route 66

Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures

Longtime readers probably know of Willem Bor of the Netherlands, who in the last few years has created miniatures of well-known Route 66 landmarks for museums or private individuals. The bad news is Bor contracted cancer and had to cancel one of his upcoming trips on Route 66. The good news is because he's got … Continue reading Willem Bor creates new Route 66 miniatures

Singer’s new music video is a postcard from Tucumcari

Albuquerque native and pop-country singer Alex Stern released a music video for her song "Runaways" a few days ago. The video shot by Randy Shaffer practically is a love letter to the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico. It features the Blue Swallow Motel, the Odeon Theatre, Watson's Ranch and Farm Supply and Tucumcari … Continue reading Singer’s new music video is a postcard from Tucumcari

New song by Chely Wright mentions Tucumcari

Not only does the new song by Chely Wright about a truck-stop waitress evoke the open road, but it mentions the small-but-classic Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, about halfway through. Here it is. The song is called "Mexico." https://youtu.be/mcQdw90_Yas The MP3 of the song may be downloaded here for $1.29. That doesn't necessarily mean … Continue reading New song by Chely Wright mentions Tucumcari

City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires

The city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and six of its cops recently were slapped with a lawsuit over a former fellow police officer who ended up in prison for torching a closed Route 66 motel and an abandoned house. Courthouse News Service reports the plaintiffs allege nepotism and a lack of screening while hiring now-disgraced officer Dustin Lopez, … Continue reading City of Tucumcari, police sued over 2014 arson fires

“Tucumcari Tonite” videos go live

Tucumcari Tonite, the website of the tourism department for the city of Tucumcari, New Mexico, uploaded three new videos Thursday. KC Keefer, who's known in Mother Road circles for his Genuine Route 66 Life video series, directed and produced the videos. If you've visited Tucumcari at all, you probably will recognize a few people in these clips. Here's … Continue reading “Tucumcari Tonite” videos go live

Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality

Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and Classical Gas Museum owner Johnnie Meier have edged closer to an agreement to set up a Route 66 museum in the city's Ilfeld Warehouse. Last week's print edition of the The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa, reported the city and Meier were in on-and-off talks for almost a decade amid funding issues and other sticking … Continue reading Santa Rosa Route 66 museum closer to reality

Scenes from Rockabilly on the Route

Frank Kocevar, former owner of the Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, put together this video from the recent Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Longtime Route 66 aficionados probably will recognize a few faces here. Rockabilly - 2016 Tucumcari, New Mexico from Route 66 Experience on Vimeo. The Quay County Sun … Continue reading Scenes from Rockabilly on the Route

So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?

A number of books, websites and even an application to the National Register of Historic Places tell a tragic story of Ted F. Jones, former owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was reported for years that Jones, a prominent eastern New Mexico rancher, owned the Route 66 motel through much of … Continue reading So what really happened to the Blue Swallow Motel’s former owner?