It made quite a stir when introduced in October 2014. Soon the musical road near Tijeras, New Mexico, a Route 66 community, that played a portion of "America The Beautiful" when driven over at a certain speed became quite an attraction.

But did you know that the idea of creating a musical highway is linked to the creative genius of Walt Disney? Surprisingly the concept is even older as the polyphon, a popular type of 19th-century disc-playing music box, used the same concept.

On today's episode we visit with Chris Hill and Pete Thompson, the visionaries behind the Route 66 musical road. And they have big plans for celebrating the Route 66 centennial.

Officially recognized as a centennial project by the Route 66 Centennial Commission, the ”Musical Road” project will add a new dimension to the Route 66 celebration and create an attraction that will enhance the Route 66 adventure for years to come. Curious? Join us for a lively and fascinating conversation that is sure to inspire a road trip or two.

Today's program is sponsored by the bespoke road trip holiday specialists for an adventure in the US or Canada, RouteTrip USA. It is also made possible with listener support through Patreon, and by Roadrunner Lodge Motel, a 1960s gem, the Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas, Two Lane America - We're making the great American road trip easier than ever, the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel, the legendary Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and Gilligan's Route 66 Tours - if Route 66 is on your bucket list. you've come to the right place.

If you are old enough to remember Route 66 before the interstate highway you probably have fond memories of S & H Green Stamps. And if you use an app or Google instead of paper maps, chances are that you will soon be making your own memories with this American classic that was launched in 1896. Did you know that S & H Green Stamps is making a comeback, but with a modern twist?

On today’s program we talked with Carl Norloff who is on a quest to make this community building, memory making classic relevant for a new generation. Carl joined the S & H company in 2000, helped launch S&H greenpoints, and rode out the bankruptcy of the company, and is now working to revive the iconic brand.

This program is a healthy dose of inspiration for entrepreneurs and community organizers, and a smile inducing stroll down Memory Lane for those us still remember Saturday mornings spent licking stamps.

WOW! Thank you, Bianca Encinas of South Valley Main Street for a delightful, fascinating, road trip insiring, smile inducing, and thought provoking conversation.

On this mornings episode of Coffee With Jim the spotlight is on Albuquerque and the south valley, an area rich with centuries of history, vibrant cultural heritage, and one of a kind restaurants. As a bonus this area is bisected by an early, and often overlooked, alignment of Route 66. In this wide ranging conversation with Bianca we talked about the 2025 La Familia Farmers Market, a free outdoor concert series, the Chile Ristra Harvest Festival, building a sense of community, cultural diversity, and a new historic district walking tour.

A few technical difficulties on Bianca's end left me with a few minutes to fill at the beginning of the program. So, the program kicks off with me beating my gums about a new Route 66 anthology, my 23rd book, that was written in partnership with some very talented friends.

Jim Hinckley’s America is a shared adventure! Join us, come along for the ride, and invite your friends.

The AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma is more than just another Route 66 themed event. It is a fun filled, interactive, multifaceted, smile inducing, adventure inspiring, immersive celebration of the great American road trip, its past, its present, and its future. On today's episode we visit with Wade Bray, event organizer, and discuss Road Fest development, plans for the Route 66 centennial and why this is an event that shouldn't be missed.

We have two questions for you. One, after listening to today's program were you inspired to plan a road trip adventure? Two, will we see you in Tulsa?

Next week on Coffee With Jim, the spotlight is on Albuquerque as we visit with Bianca Encinias of South Valley Main Street. We promise lots of road trip inspiring conversation as we talk about the 2025 La Familia Farmers Market, Free Outdoor Concert Series, Chile Ristra Harvest Festival, and Historic District Walking Tour. And we will also be inspiring community development with discussions about innovative South Valley Main Street initiatives.

Jim Hinckley’s America is a shared adventure! Become a subscriber, join us and invite your friends.

On today’s program we take a detour from road trip inspiration to talk about internet and cybersecurity for small businesses, the threats that they face today, and protective options with security experts Jim Featherstone and Olivia Golaszewski of Internet Transformed - www.facebook.com/groups/internettransformed. If you use email, have a small business, order online or make use of on online banking this a program that shouldn’t be missed.

Today's program is sponsored in part by Patreon. It is also sponsored by Roadrunner Lodge, RouteTrip USA, Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, Two Lane America, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas, and Gilligan's Route 66 Tours.

Dream big. Then dream bigger. Add a healthy dose of passion, vision, tenacity, infectious enthusiasm, and ambition. That is the recipe used by Lenore Knudtson and Tim Webb. The result is the transformation of an entire block along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, and a major contribution to the renaissance of that community's historic business district.

On today's program we talk with this dynamic duo about Tin Can Alley, Mudd on 66, Scoops on 66 and a bicycle rental company housed in a refurbished 1940s gas station. Weed and trash strewn vacant lots, a long shuttered 1930s cafe and 1950s roadhouse, and a decrepit old garage and gas station have been given a new lease on life. And the Route 66 traveler now has a new place to lay a weary head, enjoy some gourmet ice cream, savor delicious coffee and fresh baked pastries, and an opportunity to explore Kingman on two wheels.

Today's program is sure to inspire a road trip or two. And, perhaps, it will inspire you to chase that dream, and to make a difference in your community.

Today's episode of Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim HInckley's America, is sponsored in part by fans that keep the wheels rolling through Patreon. It is also sponsored by our friends at RouteTrip USA, Wagon Wheel Motel, Two Lane America, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and the Cactus Inn Motel.

Next week we take a road trip detour and visit with Jim Featherstone and Olivia Golaszewski of Internet Transformed to discuss the changing face of internet security, and its importance to small business owners.

If today's visit with photographer David Schwartz of Pics on 66 had a common theme it would be inspiration. Inspiration to chase the dream. Inspiration for epic road trips. Inspiration for living life.

For legions of Route 66 enthusiasts David Schwartz is known for his visual storytelling in Route magazine that captures the infectious magic that is the Route 66 experience. That, however, is only one facet of David's artistry.

On today's program author, humorist, and historian Jim Hinckley and David Schwartz talk road trips, the difference between photography and taking pictures, evolving technology, the power of the Route 66 community, and the importance of chasing dreams. It's another shared adventure from Jim Hinckley's America!

As our theme song by The Road Crew says, come along for the ride!

Today's program is sponsored in part by the magic of crowdfunding through Patreon. It is also sponsored by the Cactus Inn Motel, Two Lane America, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, Wagon Wheel Motel, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and RouteTrip USA.

The Route 66 centennial, the Native American role in Route 66 history, the trials and tribulations of being a writer, the international nature of Route 66 and the future of that storied highway, and tales of preservation battles lost and won, are just a few of the subjects discussed in today's conversation with Jim Ross and Shellee Graham. Pioneers in the Route 66 renaissance movement, Ross and Graham are accomplished authors and historians that have a new book, Route 66: The First 100 Hundred Years due for release in June 2025.

Next week on Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim HInckley's America, we visit with photographer David Schwartz of Pic's on 66.

Jim Hinckley's America is a shared adventure. Invite your friends and join us for another road trip inspiring and smile inducing conversation.