Chicago – February 19, 2026 – Voices of Route 66, a national education and media initiative created by the All-American Boys Chorus, has been designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project by the Route 66 Centennial Commission.
Created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of America’s iconic Mother Road, Voices of Route 66 uses music, storytelling, and youth engagement to honor Route 66 as a symbol of American mobility, cultural exchange, and shared national identity—while celebrating the communities that live, work, and travel along its historic path.
At the heart of the project is a professionally produced audio and video recording featuring the All-American Boys Chorus performing at iconic and historically significant locations along Route 66. These performances are designed to musically and visually capture the spirit of the road, showcasing its landscapes, landmarks, and local character while drawing renewed attention to its enduring legacy during the Centennial year.
“Route 66 tells one of the most powerful stories in American history, and music has a unique way of carrying that story across generations,” said Wes Martin, Conductor of the All-American Boys Chorus. “Through Voices of Route 66, our young singers are helping preserve the cultural significance of the Mother Road while connecting audiences to the people, places, and history that make it so meaningful.”
To extend its educational impact, Voices of Route 66 includes an elementary school outreach package that introduces students to the history and cultural importance of Route 66 through guided listening, interactive activities, and curriculum-aligned learning materials. This component supports classroom instruction and community programming, ensuring the story of Historic Route 66 is shared with the next generation in engaging and accessible ways.
The project also features a PBS-style narrative media package designed for distribution to local and regional media outlets across the Route 66 corridor. By combining performance footage, historical context, and youth perspectives, Voices of Route 66 supports Centennial celebrations nationwide and amplifies local storytelling along the route.
“Voices of Route 66 beautifully reflects the spirit of the Centennial by blending education, collaboration, and creativity,” said Bill Thomas, Commissioner for the Route 66 Centennial Commission and Chair of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. “By engaging young people and celebrating communities along the route, this project helps ensure Route 66 remains a living American story—one that continues to inspire for the next 100 years.”
As an Official Route 66 Centennial Project, Voices of Route 66 will play a key role in national efforts to commemorate the Centennial and highlight the cultural legacy of the Main Street of America through the voices of young people.
For more information about Voices of Route 66 and the All-American Boys Chorus, visit taabc.org.
