Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas and is part of the West Texas region. It is the county seat of Potter County{{GR|6}} and a portion the city extends to Randall County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 173,627; however its metropolitan area (MSA) population is now estimated at well over 220,000. The famous Route 66 passes through Amarillo. The city's name derives from the nearby Amarillo Lake and Amarillo Creek, named in turn for the yellow soil along their banks and shores (Amarillo is the Spanish word for yellow, the color).

Media and entertainment

Amarillo's primary newspaper is the Amarillo Globe-News.

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Television stations

• See: List of television stations in Texas.

Amarillo featured in entertainment

• Cast Away - Tom Hanks' character was near the Amarillo part of I-40.
• George Strait - Had a country hit called "Amarillo By Morning."
• The Grapes of Wrath - The Joad Family passed Amarillo during their trip.
• "(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66" - popular jazz song written by Bobby Troup and sung by Nat King Cole in 1946.
• "Is This the Way to Amarillo?" - song written by Howard Greenfield, recorded famously by Yorkshireman Tony Christie and Neil Sedaka, and revived by Peter Kay through performances in comedy series Phoenix Nights and in a charity performance for Comic Relief. The song, which only managed to reach 18th place when originally released, made it to the Number 1 spot in the UK Singles Chart in 2005 for 7 weeks, knocked off the top spot by Akon. Also in 2005, the Dutchman Albert West recorded a new version.
• The Plutonium Circus - 1995 documentary film about the Pantex facility.
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - At the end of the film, Indy, Henry, Sallah, and Marcus ride off into the sunset. Shot on a cattle ranch near the city.
• Television talk show host, Oprah Winfrey was unsuccessful sued by local cattlemen for defaming beef in late 90s. She had to temporarily relocate her show to Amarillo for close to a year.