Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-05-17
Casey Van Beek and the Tulsa Groove Announce New Album: The Route 66 Sessions
Casey Van Beek and the Tulsa Groove will release their new album, The Route 66 Sessions, on May 30, 2026. Recorded and mixed at the legendary The Church Studio, the project was created in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66.
Featuring 10 original songs inspired by the culture, stories, and spirit of the Mother Road, the album pays tribute to the highway that helped shape Oklahoma’s identity and America’s musical landscape. Timed to Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise, fans will be able to purchase The Route 66 Sessions directly from producer Walt Richmond at his booth during the city’s landmark Route 66 celebration.
Produced by Walt Richmond and executive produced by Teresa Knox, The Route 66 Sessions brings together a celebrated group of Tulsa musicians whose roots run deep through Oklahoma music history.
Featured musicians include Casey Van Beek on vocals; Walt Richmond on piano; Jared Tyler on dobro and harmony vocals; John Fullbright on harmonica, accordion, and harmony vocals; Paul Benjaman on guitar; and Charles Tuberville on guitar.
Recorded and mixed at The Church Studio by engineers Gary Laney and Mike Prado, The Route 66 Sessions captures Tulsa’s enduring connection to the Mother Road while showcasing some of Oklahoma’s most respected musicians and songwriters.
Producer Walt Richmond said, “New music had to be part of celebrating Route 66’s centennial. Tulsa has always played an important role in the history of the Mother Road, not just geographically, but musically too. These songs were written to honor that spirit. Tulsa musicians have always followed that Mother Road to California. Tulsa was the training grounds. We might play a Bob Wills song, a Chuck Berry song, then a Frank Sinatra song, we were ready for anything.”
Executive producer Teresa Knox added, “It is an honor for The Church Studio to be involved with such an iconic project. Walt Richmond has a decades-long connection to this building, from his Shelter Records days to co-founding The Tractors during Steve Ripley’s ownership of The Church Studio.
“What many people don’t realize is that our building on East 3rd Street sits within the historic Route 66 corridor and along an early alignment of the Mother Road that once served as a designated truck route bypassing downtown Tulsa.
“I also absolutely loved working with Walt and Casey on this project. They are incredibly kind, talented, joyful people, and you can feel that spirit throughout the entire record.”
Engineered and mixed by Gary Laney and Mike Prado at The Church Studio, The Route 66 Sessions captures the spirit of Tulsa, the enduring legacy of the Mother Road, and the talents of some of Oklahoma’s most respected musicians and songwriters. The album was mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering.
Pre-orders for The Route 66 Sessions are available now through The Church Studio Store. The album will officially be released May 30 and will also be available at select Route 66 Centennial events, including Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise.
For more information, visit The Church Studio.
The Route 66 Sessions Track Listing
1. “Boogie on 66” — Van Beek, Richmond
2. “Main Street U.S.A.” — Van Beek, Richmond
3. “Headed West” — Webb, Richmond
4. “She’s My Mother Road” — Webb, Richmond
5. “The Road of Dreams” — Van Beek, Richmond
6. “Do It In My ’40 Ford” — Van Beek, Richmond
7. “Ridin’ on the Mother Road” — Van Beek, Richmond
8. “Rollin’ Down 66” — Van Beek, Richmond
9. “Leavin’ in the Mornin’” — Van Beek, Richmond
10. “We Gonna Ride Ride Ride” — Van Beek, Richmond
About Walt Richmond: Walt Richmond is a Tulsa-based pianist, songwriter, and producer whose career spans decades of American roots, rock, and country music. A founding member of The Tractors, Richmond co-wrote the band’s Country Top 40 hit “Baby Likes To Rock It” with Steve Ripley. Over the years, he has toured and recorded with artists including Bonnie Raitt, Rick Danko, and J. J. Cale, and appeared on Road to Escondido, the Grammy-winning collaboration between J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton. Deeply connected to Tulsa’s musical legacy and The Church Studio, Richmond continues to perform, write, and produce music rooted in the spirit of Oklahoma and Route 66.
About The Church Studio: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Church Studio is a recording studio, music museum, audio engineering school, and tourist destination. Originally built in 1915 as Grace M.E. Church, the building was transformed into a recording studio and headquarters for Shelter Records in 1972 by Leon Russell. Operations are managed by the Church Studio Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving music history and supporting artists.
Source: announcement provided to Grateful Web. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
