Serving the High Plains

Musical festival celebrating Route 66 set to kick off in Tucumcari

Vive le Rock Productions and La Loca Magazine present Rockabilly on the Route 2013, June 7, 8, 9 in historic Tucumcari, nestled along old Route 66.

For its inaugural year, Rockabilly On the Route is pleased to announce the Queen of Rockabilly herself, Wanda Jackson, along with Southern California's The Chop Tops, as headliners for the Saturday night concert event.

The festival is a benefit for the New Mexico Route 66 Museum, which is opening this summer in Tucumcari at the Tucumcari Convention Center. Across the nation relics of the Mother Road are being replaced by our modern world. The New Mexico Route 66 Museum will be dedicated to the preservation of the heritage and culture based around this historical treasure that was the center of a dynamic era in New Mexico history.

Wanda Jackson, who began her illustrious career in the 1950s as one of the first women of rockabilly, is known for her unique vocals in songs such as "Funnel of Love," "Fujiyama Mama," and "Let's Have A Party." She was an early sweetheart to the King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley, who mentored her and whose ring she wears around her neck to this day. Jackson has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame and received two Grammy Award nominations for her work.

Formed in 1995, The Chop Tops hail from Santa Cruz, Calif. They blend rockabilly music with punk, surf and psychobilly to create their own special sound, which they've coined "Revved-Up Rockabilly." The band performs their signature sound at more than 200 shows every year, including the infamous Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender in Nevada.

This year's Rockabilly On The Route weekender will be the capstone event for Wheels On 66, a four-day event celebrating all things wheeled on Route 66, as well as the New Mexico Route 66 Association Motor Tour, which runs from Gallup, N.M., to Tucumcari from June 6-8, ending at Rockabilly on the Route.

A gem along historic Route 66, Tucumcari, is an iconic town that gives a real look at why the era of the Million Dollar Trio continues to fascinate people today, and why the Mother Road has garnered such international fame - classic motels, vintage neon, a rich history and more.

The weekend-long rumble will be three days of rockabilly and vintage fun along the most famous road in America, including a variety show on Friday night by Albuquerque's Gilded Cage Burlesk & Variete, founded in 2010 by international burlesque performer Vivian Mirann.

Joining the feathered beauties of Gilded Cage will be Austin's all-girl rockabilly band The danger Cakes, along with El Paso's The F-Bombs. Also on the docket are nightly shows along Tucumcari's "really, really retro" Main Street by the likes of Albuquerque's The Shadow Men, of Viva Las Vegas fame; and Mr. Right and the Leftovers.

Prior to Saturday night's musical extravaganza will be the Rockabilly of the Route Classic Car Show with category judging and hand-made trophy awards sponsored by local car clubs the Straightrazors and Voodoo Creeps given out to the hottest hot-rods on Route 66. A pinup contest for Miss Rockin' Route 66 2013 will also be held to round out the event, and one lucky winner will be the featured model in the July/August La Loca Magazine, an Albuquerque-based rockabilly and vintage lifestyle magazine with a unique New Mexico flavor.

The city will be closing down a strip of Route 66 following the car show, around 4:30 p.m., - 7:00 p.m., to allow for an authentic cruise/burn out night along the Mother Road before welcoming the headliners to the stage.

Sunday morning brings a fun Rockin' Gospel Brunch to unwind and get right with the Gods of rock 'n' roll before making the journey home.

To buy tickets, register for the car show, get a vendor space, check out sponsorship packages or for more information, see:

Official Website: http://www.rockabillyontheroute.com

You can also find Rockabilly On The Route here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockabillyontheRoute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockabillyRoute

Email: [email protected]