A composition entitled “Route 66 Suite” is currently being written by Dr. Nolan Stolz who is taking his inspiration from the Mother Road. Stolz, the Associate Professor of Music at University of South Carolina Upstate, has been traveling up and down Route 66 since July 1 of last year to gather inspiration for his next major composition for orchestra and his latest sojourn was to the communities of Holbrook, Joseph City and Winslow.
The work will be a musical reflection of the historic highway, representing various aspects of the road.
Stolz said, “The opening movement, A.D. 1926, is inspired by the oldest parts of Winslow, Joseph City and Holbrook. The brick buildings are the most inspiring. But I also travel the dirt and gravel roads out in the rural desert areas that would have been the original route in 1926.”
He also mentioned noticing how often trains go by near Route 66. “Especially along the original path of (Route) 66 and how many trains one finds in Arizona. Train sounds will become part of at least two of the movements.”
Stolz was inspired by the book, “Twenty-six Gasoline Stations,” by Ed Ruscha depicting closed gasoline stations along the route. He plans to compose a movement dedicated to filling stations as well, although, he explained, they will be different ones than were featured in Ruscha’s book, with the exception of the Jack Rabbit Trading Post just west of Joseph City.
He is also fascinated with the neon signs and lights along Route 66. Those lights, according to Stolz will also be part of the composition. He said, “I drive around Route 66 towns at night looking for neon signs for the “Neon Dreams” movement, and the neon at Earl’s (Motel in Winslow) is spectacular. Holbrook has some lovely neon, such as the Roxy, Wigwam, Mesa, Romo’s, and even the old Dairy Queen sign. Normally, I support the independent businesses along 66, not chains, but the DQ sign is so special–and from what I’ve read was fought to keep intact. The bright colors of these signs will be represented by bright-sounding harmonies and instruments that have a bright-sounding timbre. Animated neon signs, such as the DQ one, also give me ideas for rhythms. That one, for example, has the ice cream cone on a bit longer than it is off.”
As Mother Road enthusiasts know, lodging is a big part of the history of Route 66, as well as an economic staple for the cities and towns along it. Stolz is also inspired by motels that sprouted up along the route during its heyday to accommodate the car culture that was growing, in part because of Route 66.
On his months’ long journey, Stolz has already stayed in such establishments as Earl’s Motel and the La Posada in Winslow, the Wigwam in Holbrook, and recently The Afterglow an Airbnb in Joseph City, which, according to Stolz was the Pacific Restaurant during the Route 66 era.
A movement dedicated to these motor hotels, or motels as they would later come to be called, is in the works for the composition as well.
The final movement, said Stolz, is titled ‘The Show Will Go On,’ and is inspired by the movie theaters along or nearby Route 66.
“I have seen a couple of movies at the Winslow Theater and some at the Roxy in Holbrook. I also visit drive-in theaters or the sites of drive-ins if they no longer exist. I have been to the drive-in sites in Williams and both in Holbrook.”
Stolz has set a goal to have the composition ready for orchestras to perform during the 2025-26 season, just in time for the centennial birthday of the Mother Road. He will continue to travel through the end of July and commence writing in August.
His journey is available to be followed by subscribing to his Patreon page at www.patreon.com/route66suite. He can also be found on the Route 66 Suite webpage at www.nolanstolz.com/66.
