The Route 66 Band started out to be the Sunday host band at Cortland’s Country Music Park.
The musicians and singers were all from other bands. Marie Petry from “Destiny” band; Bruce Huggins from “Slick Nickel Band”; and Merle Matts from the “New York Country Band”. Wade Jacobson joined the band in October of 2005, and Howie O’Dell, joined in April of 2006. John Castner, the newest member joined in January of 2007.
Merle, Marie, and Bruce have all been inducted in the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame in Cortland, N.Y.
After practicing together and working together for several months they decided that they had something special and decided to try and take it on further.
They recorded a CD titled “Most Requested Songs of Route 66” which has 19 songs on the CD.
They then went on to showcase at the New York and Pennsylvania Fair Conventions. The New York Convention was in Rochester, N.Y. and the Pennsylvania Convention was in Hershey, Pa. The response was very good.
Last year at the Chenango Co. Fair in Norwich, N.Y. they did their own “Grand Ole Opry Show” under the tent to a packed crowd. They also did two nights at the GDS Fair in Newfoundland, Pa.
Due to the band’s versatility, new venues opened up for them. To promote this rare find, they created the Dinner Shows at Cortland’s Country Music Park.
This year they did a Hee Haw Show with help from the volunteers at Cortland's Country Music Park, a Tribute to George Strait and Reba McEntire in July, a Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry V in September, and coming up on November 18th a Tribute to Alan Jackson and Martina McBride. On Dec. 9th they will be doing a Christmas Dinner Dance. This along with all the pig roasts, fireman conventions, weddings, and regular playing jobs. They have also done 2 dances in which they played Classic 50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll. The one on Rt. 12 in Nimmonsburg, N.Y. at the town of Chenango had over 300 people.
In June of 2003 they started a fan club which now has over 300 members from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont. On June 1, 2005 the fan club went International with our first two fan club members from Germany.
Their second CD “We’re Still Country” was released on Jan. 11, 2004, at their CD coming out party at Cortland’s Country Music Park. This CD also includes 19 songs.
Their lastest CD "Travelin' Your Way" is the best so far the band feels. You can actually hear 30 sec. of each song on the CD by clicking on the music tab above. Check out our scedule, and our fan club also. And hey you never know, we might get you on our Route 66 camera and put your picture on our website.
Merle Matts
416 Lawton-Scheer Rd.
Norwich, N.Y. 13815
(607) 336-1992
or e-mail felina@citlink.net