Who Is Steve Goodman? (1948-1984)

Subject: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 02 Apr 98 - 11:09 PM

I realise that asking this question might be similar to querying who is Eric Bogle or What is A Child Ballad.

I know that he wrote Banana Republics (one of my favourites) and City Of New Orleans. I have seen his name mentioned in a couple of threads, and a search of the database shows that he has written 6 or 7 songs in there.

Any bio details please?

Regards John

PS Speaking of Banana Republics, I can't play a reggae guitar rhythm to save myself. Any tips please short of using it for kindling.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joel Ponzan
Date: 02 Apr 98 - 11:26 PM

Steve Goodman was (he died of leukemia about 10 (?) years ago) a prolific songwriter, an incredibly gifted guitarist and one of the hardest working performers I've ever seen. His rendition of "The Dutchman" is one of the most moving pieces I've heard. I had the pleasure of meeting him at several parties in NYC over the years, and he was the kind of guy who was more interested in listening to other musicians play than knocking you out with his latest. His death was a loss for all musicians.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Rufus
Date: 02 Apr 98 - 11:27 PM

Goodman was one of the best singer/songwriters to ever spin a musical yarn. You can find out everything you want to know and possibly more at:

http://www.hepcat.com/goodman/good.html

At least you asked. That shows you really care about someone that more people should care about. God rest his soul.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Apr 98 - 01:07 AM

There's a two-disc set on Steve's Red Pajamas label that gives a great introduction to Steve Goodman. It's called No Big Surprise: The Steve Goodman Anthology. It has one live CD and one from the studio, a total of 42 songs, more if you count medleys separate. While you're at it, you might want to pick up the Great Days Anthology from Steve's buddy, John Prine. It's good stuff, too.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Frank in the swamps
Date: 03 Apr 98 - 05:52 AM

I saw Steve Goodman at S.U.N.Y. Binghamton in the mid 70's. It was a small venue, held about 100 people max. After giving a pretty long performance he shrugged and said "Well if you aren't going anywhere I ain't either" and played what was the longest concert I have ever heard. He did this solo! I've always had the utmost respect for the man because he worked so hard to give his audience all he had too give.

Frank.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: S.P. Buck Mulligan
Date: 03 Apr 98 - 07:39 AM

All of the above, of course, as well as a "thanks" to John in Brisbane for asking, thus providing an opportunity to chime in with another paean. I saw Goodman at Passim, in Cambridge Mass, one Friday night, about 1975, and I've never seen anyone who was so plainly having a really good time for himself. His talent just overflowed everything he did - if you ever have the opportunity to listen to the collection "John Prine Live", pay close attention to "Souvenirs" - Prine called Goodman out to the stage to join him on this one, and they do a wonderful job of course, but there's a guitar break in there that is so happy, light, precise, and most importantly - sounds like it just rolled off his fingertips - that I never tire of listening to - it lasts about 30 seconds. I have to agree with Joel Ponzan too about "The Dutchman" - this Michael Smith song is the hardest song I ever sang in a gig, because I couldn't sing it without hearing Goodman, and I'd wind up listening to Steve Goodman in my head instead of paying attention to my own work.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Dale Rose
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 12:11 AM

He was on Austin City Limits at least a couple of times. Be sure to catch the shows if they are ever repeated. Maybe a gentle request or two to PBS/ACL might help them decide that they should show them again. The part where Jethroe Burns comes out and plays with him is a real gem. The look of admiration and respect on Steve's face is genuine and worth any number of fake greetings that you see on TV nowadays. And of course, the music is wonderful.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 07:38 AM

Stevie was a grand fellow! Anyone around the Chicago folk scene in those heady days (in more ways than one) will attest to that.

I posted a personal remembrance of Steve a while ago. It'd be good to see it in this thread. But I'm not up to going through the head turmoil of trying to do it over again.

Max, would it be possible to find that and insert it here?? Hope it's doable! I'll add to it after I see all I wrote then...

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 01:13 PM

I did a Forum Search with "Goodman" in the Body box and "Thieme" in the Username box. One of the four results was this:

Steve Goodman was a grand fellow. We were all (mostly)Cub fans. When I was a kid we'd go to Wrigley Field after school. The gate were opened in the 7th inning to let folks out (nobody ever stayed to the end 'cause the Cubs never won). We'd just walk in & watch the rest of the game FREE and we would hope for an extra inning game. After the game we'd get a gunny sack from a guy and walk from left field to right field picking up trash and lifting the seats. That would get us a grandstand pass for the next game. After we were finished it was time for the players to come out at get on the bus. We'd hold autograph books up to the windows & get the signatures FREE back in the 50s...I had Duke Snider and Roy Campanella 3 times each--not to mention the entire Brooklyn team. When we finished with the visiting team we'd go to the Cubs side and get the stragglers. No hurry for the Cubs; we could ALWAYS get them. Wish I knew where those autograph books went!!! No, to Stevie! Me and my wife, Carol, were walking home one day. Carol was 8 months pregnant. A 2-seater car pulled up and it was Steve. He gave Carol a ride home and by the time I got there the coffee was brewed and the guitars were out. That was the first time he told us that he'd been diagnosed with his disease. He had just come back from the Sloan-Kettering Center & tratments. We were devastated. But the illness went into remission for the next l5 years. It always seemed like Steve was gonna beat it. And that's why it came as such a damn shock when I was on tour somewhere and heard from a motel room TV that he had died. My son, Chris, is 27 now. (He was born 2 months after Steve and me & Carol had coffee that morning.) And Carol and I were at a Cubs game WHEN SHE WENT INTO LABOR!! We walked home--over a mile. Cris was born a day later. Long labor! But as I write this I can see it like it was this morning. Yes, Chicago had a wondrous folk scene then; different now but still quite wonderful folks! Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 01:19 PM

THANKS!! Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 03:23 PM

I might've told this before,but...

I had a longneck customized Vega tubaphone banjo (always kept a chicken inside to mute the sound and so I could say I had "a chicken in every pot") and I traded that banjo for a very small Martin guitar for my wife. Eventually I wanted that banjo back, but the guy who owned the store I'd traded it to wanted an outrageous amount of cash for it (even in the early 70 the amount was high). I was telling the sad tale at SOMEBODY ELSE'S TROUBLES, a great bar, folk club and hangout owned by Bill Redhed, Steve Goodman, Fred Holstein, Earl (of Old Town) Pionke & maybe others. Steve heard me tell it and he got that narrow/challenged look in his eye & he said, "How much will ya pay for it?" I answered, "$500.00"---that is what I'd paid for it the first time. Steve told me to get the cash. I got it and several of us went down to the store on an upper floor of a building on Wabash Avenue in Chicago's Loop area---above a huge record store. I gave the cash to Steve and he went upstars alone! We all hung out looking for LPs downstairs.

The owner hung around Steve up in the instrument store as Steve went from instrument to instrument---but he kept coming back to my old banjo.(Steve was already sort of well known.) Steve asked what it cost? $1,000.00 was what he was told. (That's already $200.00 less than what was quoted to me.) Steve walked away from it but later came back--telling the owner that "I'll play it on stage and mention you wherever I go if you'll cut the price!" BOTTOM LINE: Steve got it for me for five hundred bucks (no tax added)& brought it downstairs, handed it to me,and we all went next door to Millers Pub and had a beer. Then we went back to the club and bragged about scamming this notorious over-charger!

As he did on stage, when Steve was challenged by a situation he'd get that look in his eye like Mike Singletary at middle linebacker for the Bears & GO for the tackle! He was the best damn performer I ever saw (other than Pete Seeger or Louie Armstrong maybe).

I needed the rent money a few months later & had to sell that banjo for the same amount. Gigs were sparse sometimes.

The bar/folk club was named for Steve's song "Somebody Else's Troubles"---about "It's not hard to get along with soebody else's troubles-------They never make ya lose any sleep at night,-----And when fate is out there bustin' somebody else's bubble-----Everything's gonna be alright!/ (or something like that??)

This was a thinly disguised tale about Steve's own fight with leukemia----we all knew that around Chicago but not too many others knew about it. And to this day I'm amazed at how much that little guy has continued to mean to me. Thanks, John in Brisbane, for giving me the excuse to revel in the nostalgia of those youthful Kerouacian memories!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 04:50 PM

That's a great story, Art, and I don't think you told it to us before. I have just one question:
How does one pronounce "Kerouacian"????
Never mind.....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Rufus
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 09:15 PM

I'm new to the Mudcat but I see that I am going to like it here. I think that I am about to learn a lot. And Art, thanks from me too. I've been an admirer of Mr. Goodman's since 1987 when I was turned onto him in a roundabout way via Buffett. Did I mention I was only 18. See? There is hope for the younger generations.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 01:37 AM

Joe & Rufus,

Thanks for your kind comments. I do appreciate 'em. Of course, Jack THE MAN Kerouac is where Ker-oo--ak--ian (as in ian & Sylvia) came from.

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Rockaday Johnnie
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 03:13 AM

Didn't Ian & Sylvia Record the Jack Keroauc Song That's The Ticket?

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 10:53 AM

No! I'm sure my bank statement would reflect that fact if they had!

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Alice
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 12:25 PM

Art, that was a sweet, sweet remembrance of your friend, and I'm glad this thread brought it up so we can appreciate both Steve Goodman and YOU.
(BTW, have you chosen a final name for your CD?)

alice, mt

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 07:38 PM

My thanks to all. I guess I should have known that such great material had been written by a formidable talent. The depth of emotion in your responses has touched me more than anything else I have read in a long, long time.

My thanks again. John

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 04:05 AM

Alice, Hello & thanks! CD probably will be called __The Older I Get, The Better I Was__ .

I've a good recording of myself doing "City Of New Orleans" at the Green Dragon in Fort Atkinson, Wis. the weekend after Steve passed away. But can't use it for ONE switch around of words that happened in a verse. But with digital engineering maybe it could be fixed...

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: jane sanders
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 04:50 PM

There's a Steve Goodman web site or two around - you should check them out. One has film clips of Stevie (as my friends who actually knew him called him - I unfortunately didn't) performing - a real dynamo, to say the least. I attended the Steve Goodman Tribute evening at Medinah Temple in Chicago last winter - many performers there including John Prine and Arlo. People in the crowd were all pretty choked up by the end of the evening.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Steve in Wisconsin
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 07:28 PM

I first encountered Steve Goodman on the stage at my high school in Northfield, Illinois. I was just getting into folk/acoustic music, but many there weren't (at first). Steve played his heart out and really captured most of the audience, but one guy kept yelling for "rock 'n roll." He ignored this for awhile, but finally (and out of the blue) said, "Alright. You want you're rok 'n roll"-blank-blank you" and launched into an incredible version of an old song called "Diane" (by Paul Anka, I believe). It brought down the house and won the last few rock 'n roll holdouts over. I have a very bad tape from that concert and it remains one of my most prized possesions.

One of my last memories was of sitting near Steve at a game at Wrigley. I want to say that it was in 1984 (when he died and the Cubs clinched the division for the first time in 39 years), but I may be romanticizing (sp?) it.

I saw him perform many times. To me, Steve Goodman was to music what Robin Williams is to comedy-pure genius. He could fire off the hottest, wildest solos and then soothe you with a quiet tune. It was a privilege to see. The closest thing to being there is the Live side of "No Big Surprise."

Acoustically,

Steve in Wisconsin

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 08:09 PM

At club gigs, where a table of 6 or 8 might be 30 years older than everybody else & wondering why they came to this, Steve would just STOP and ask 'em, "What year were ya married in?" Whatever they said, and I saw him do this several times, he'd reel off a huge medley of hits from THAT YEAR! Those people were IN HIS POCKET for the rest of the night by the time he finished the first few tunes. That was the same kind of challenge to Steve as buying back my banjo for me and screwing that shop owner over!

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From:
Date: 11 Apr 98 - 10:22 AM

S.P. Buck Mulligan said,

I saw Goodman at Passim, in Cambridge Mass, one Friday night...

I have a tape of a Passim show of Steve's from that era, and some from WCAS.

Great stuff.

I'm not on this list, just reading on the Web, but if interested in trading Steve Goodman tapes, I have some.

Ian

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Nov 01 - 11:49 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 Nov 01 - 11:53 PM

Good refresh Art. Harvey Andrews might well look in here and contribute.

Murray

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: BlueJay
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 02:54 AM

Thanks for the refresh and your memories, Art. Made my day, reading more about one of the people I most admire. What an incredible performer. I only saw Steve Goodman once, years ago at Red Rocks in Denver. Luckily I was near the stage. When he began "You Never Even Called Me by my Name", he asked if anyone had a cowboy hat, as he'd probably done many times before. This time, someone in the audience threw him a cowboy hat that was obviously about six sizes too large, and it was hilarious. About all you could see under the hat was the tip of his nose and his infectious smile.

He was one of a kind. I've always thought that Illinois should be called, "The Land of Goodman". Thanks again, Art, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Big Tim
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 12:05 PM

Thanks for the info on SG. I'm just home from a holiday in US which included a 7 hour trip on the "Train They Call the City of New Orleans" from Memphis to Hammond. I had always thought Arlo Guthrie wrote this song but on the train itself I discovered that it was in fact Steve Goodman. I was thinking about him as the train passed "graveyards of old black men and the graveyards of of the rusting automobiles". His spirit lives.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Phillip
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 02:50 PM

Steve Goodman also wrote the perfect country & western song, as acknowledged by Davis Allan Coe. It had all the prerequisites of the country genre: Momma, trains, pickup trucks, gettin' drunk, prison, leavin', etc.

To wit:

Well I was drunk....., the day my Mom got outta prison

And I went.... to pick her up... in the rain

But, before... I could get to the station in my pickup...

She got run over by a damned old train.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 12:06 AM

Beautiful Hammond, Indiana-----where Caroline Paton grew up. Right, Sandy???

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 01:47 AM

As I have said elsewhere I wish I had had the chance to see Steve Goodman live.

However, as a fully paid up member of the Mudcat Pedant Club, I feel it incumbent upon me to point out that Goodman's line in "City of New Orleans" about "Changing cars in Memphis Tennessee" is erroneous. And I am assured about this by a greater pedant than I, who shall remain namelss.

Apparently the train they call the City of New Orleans never did change cars in Memphis, In fact, although I couldn't swear to it, I believe they never changed cars at all on this train.

Murray

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Raptor
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 08:51 AM

Correct me if this is not true but I'd heard that Steve Goodman was playing in a club with Chriss Christoferson when he did a song that "a friend " wrote when Chriss freaked out "who wrote that? It's Briliant". When Steve said "A mailman who lives in chicago" Chriss said "I gotta Meet him". It turned out to be JOHN PRINE and thats how Prine got into the scene!
(could be an urban Legend) But a good story! Raptor

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: jeffp
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 09:03 AM

I always interpreted the line, "Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee" as meaning the singer got up and moved to another car, possibly to find somebody awake to talk with.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 10:53 AM

Thanks for bringing this thread up again Art. I missed it first time around. Hey, there's a great song title, "I Missed It First Time Around!" Never mind. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Clifton53
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 12:01 PM

I had the good fortune to see Steve Goodman with Jethro Burns. It was a tremendous show with just the two of them. When he introduced " The City Of New Orleans", Steve said that he never enjoyed playing it more than when the " big guy tears it up", which Jethro then proceeded to do on the mando. Never heard it done like that before as Burns took us on a rambling train ride with notes flying everywhere and Steve standing back with a huge smile on his face.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 12:56 PM

Any train might change cars anywhere there was a side track. In Memphis there were numerous reasons to change cars, switch cargos from river barges (corn, soybeans, salt, coal, even molasses. A Missippi River barge is 195 feet long and 35 feet wide and has a draft of over nine feet. Just think of all the MOLES they had to kill to fill one barge !!!!! ;-)

Art Thieme
(BARGES, we don't need no stinkin' barges !!)

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 08:34 PM

I heard him the one time at Cambridge Folk Festival, and was knocked out by the way he leapt into action. Seemed so alive I couldn't believe it when he died.

Art - are you going to write your memoirs? Better yet, tell them to us here. Noone else knows those things.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: 53
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 08:41 PM

I LIKE HIM IN THE DUO WITH JOHN PRINE ON SOVENIRS. BOB

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 10:43 PM

McGrath,

I've been writing the memoirs here at Mudcat----whenever someone asks a question that I've got a part of the answer for---or at least a wise crack, pun, one-liner, opinion on or facetious comment to spew out. Like semantic gas, it just erupts. Sometimes it stinks but I do hope not too often. I've got too much time on my hands and Max's site is a grand place to hang out & find a few folks who need some of the merde that stuck to my "thirsty boots" when it was the status quo "for my bootheals to be a-wanderin'" down the proverbial "hot dusty road".

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Nov 01 - 11:21 PM

CLAY EALS has been criss-crossing the country over and over (and over) to interview hundreds of people who were central to Steve's life---people who were there for all of it--all over the place.
I've heard that a few key people don't want to be involved but I do hope that they decide to agree to be interviewed. I'm excited about having that musical era and Mr. Goodman spotlighted in a way that gives the truest picture of those few moments in my city. It was a short time-line segment---but the glow of it was like the neon signs of Old Town and Rush Street glimmering and sparkling on wet rainy night pavement with us going for breakfast too wired to sleep or walking / staggering home after 4:00-AM gigs, guitars and banjo cases in hand.

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Dec 01 - 01:51 AM

I've been searching for all the Steve Goodman songs I can find in Mudcat.

The following songs are all in DT. I didn't bother to set up links:
BANANA REPUBLICS
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
DYING CUB FAN'S LAST REQUEST
ELECTION YEAR RAG
NOWHERE IN A HURRY BLUES
PENNY EVANS
THE DUTCHMAN (not written by SG, but sung by him)
TROUBLE WILL FIND YOU
VEGEMATIC
YOU DON'T EVEN CALL ME BY MY NAME

The following songs are in various threads. Click on the link to see them.
BEATNIK, PREVERT, DON'T TALK THAT WAY TO ME!
ELVIS IMITATORS
MY OLD MAN
SOMEBODY ELSE'S TROUBLES
THE CHICKEN CORDON BLEUS
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY IS ALMOST OVER

If I missed any, I'd be grateful if others would post links to them here.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 01 Dec 01 - 02:42 AM

I was lucky enough to see Steve twice, once at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pa., near Philly, and once in Philly at the Walnut St. Theater. The Roches opened for him at the Walnut St., and they were fantastic, but Steve's set was even better. And, as has been mentioned by several people here, when he got to what was obviously the end of the set, he stopped, looked out at the audience, looked at his band, and said, "Oh, hell, we came here to play, let's play!"...and went on for at least another half hour or more. The other thing I remember about Steve was his patter between songs: funny, accurate, and as quietly brilliant as his solos. I'll always be grateful to my med school roommate, Frank Venuti, for telling me about Steve Goodman.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 01 Dec 01 - 09:34 AM

I didn't know who Steve was at the Cambridge festival...he was just another American who pushed the British artists down the bill...and times were competitive back then!I did my best ever Cambridge set, the audience were on their feet at the end..the m.c. couldn't get them to sit back down..they were roaring and stomping for more..and little Steve Goodman walked out to the mike. The audience ignored him..."more, more," "follow that!" the young adrenalised me said..and Goddman began to play..no one heard a note..."more, more" then a little group by the left speaker paused and listened and then sat down...then a group by the right speaker..gradually the ovation grew quieter as row after row of people stopped cheering and listened and then sat down..this rippled eventually to the back of the tent until the whole audience was seated and quiet and listening to Steve playing "It's a sin to tell a lie" at double his usual speed..it was amazing. When he'd got them all settled he sang one quick verse and finished. They were in the palm of his hand and my performance was history! I was in the wings slackjawed. Best thing I ever saw..and I've loved the man and his music ever since. Seems to me we lost too many too young, Goodman, Chapin, Ochs, Wolf,Hardin,Rogers...how much bigger the storytelling songwriting scene would be if they were still alive!

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Dec 01 - 10:43 AM

Right on, Mr. Andrews. I don't know your music -- but I want to.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,harvey andrews
Date: 01 Dec 01 - 11:45 AM

Thanks Art the website is at www.harveyandrews.com and there are samples of tracks and a diary of the early days you might find interesting

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: musicmick
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 03:25 AM

I am one of the informants interviewed by Clay Eals for his Steve Goodman project. I met Steve when he was undergoing treatment in New York because, at that time, chemo was unavailable in Chicago. Steve flew into New York every other week. He took the treatment, then he had to rest for a day or two before he could fly home. In New York, in those days, folksingers usually stayed at Paula Ballan's apartment on East 67th. Everyone was there at one time or another. Most of us had our own keys. I was doing a recording project that took the whole summer, so I spent a lot of time with Steve when he was resting up for the next torturous treatment. His courage was to be believed. We remained close friends all his life, although we didn't get together unless we were both playing the same festival. Still, whenever he played Philly, which was whenever they could hire him, we found some time. I was about to start a set at a winery in New Jersey when one of my sidemen told me that Steve was dead. I played in a haze and I cried when I could. I dont really remember much about that day. Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 12:54 AM

I posted this before-----still my favorite Steve Goodman story:

From the liner notes of "no big surprise--The Steve Goodman Anthology

After Steve recorded the song for Buddah Records, Neil Bogart, then the president of that company, asked him (and Rosie Grier, and a singer called "The Soul Of Country Music") to join Democratic candidate Edmund Muskie's 1972 whistlestop campaign through Florida for the presidential primary there. Steve didn't believe there were political solutions to life's problems. He wrote songs about politians with outrageous and audacious vagaries, bestowing upon them the irreverent admiration he always showed for desperados, con artists and pitchmen. In addition, Steve was coming off a recent bout of chemotherapy. But the chanced to observe a politician in action was too good to pass up, so he went along...when the train reached Sebring, the organizers made sure a big (bought-and-paid-for) crowd and lots of reporters would turn out.

After Rosey, "The Soul", and Steve did their thing, warming up the crowd by singing from the observation car platform, Muskie emerged (Lincoln-like) and launched into his speech. The entertainers retired to the air-conditioned lounge section. Steve suddenly felt stomach cramps--the after-effects of chemo, combined with symptoms of a lingering flu and an ill-advised Mexican meal the night before--and he dashed for the toilet. There hung the traditional sign, which he himself had immortalized in song: "Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilet while train is in the station." Steve arose from the seat, a lighter and happier man. He reached for the cord. He hestitated. What was the worst that could happen? Presumbly his loathsome and semi-radioactive deposit would simply fall below and be left (anonymously) between the tracks when the train pulled out. He yanked the cord and walked meekly back into the car.

He had no way of knowing that on this particular state-of-the-art passenger car, waste matter was sucked out of the toilet and straight back through vacuum tubes along the sides to be sprayed in a fine mist from the rear of the train. Muskie's campaign manager burst into the car howling, "People are being covered with shit out there!" Steve's reply: "Hey, man, he's your candidate!"

--Nancy Goodman Tenney

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 01:22 AM

Now we know why Muskie was crying.

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Fortunato
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:51 PM

Thanks, Art, et al for the good stories.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: SaulBro
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 09:09 PM

The Steve Goodman website is at < http://www.hepcat.com/goodman/good.html>. One can also join the "Chicago-Shorty" email list from a link there, a low-traffic list about Goodman and associates.

As Jethro Burns used to say, "When you're with Steve, every day is Christmas". Sure miss Steve...we had a small gathering of fans recently(Oct. 2001) on Guemes Island, Washington. Present, among others, were Goodman's biographer Clay Eals, and some of us who had played with Steve(Bryan Bowers, Jeff Gutcheon, and I). We traded songs and stories, and reminisced about what Steve meant to us.

Saul Broudy Philadelphia, PA USA (who, btw, played harmonica with Steve in many live performances and on 3 of his mid-70s Elektra-Asylum albums)

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Ray Frank
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 11:10 PM

Hi all especially Mike Miller and Saul Broudy,

Clay Eals recently visited me at a gig to talk about Stevie and the memories flowed like wine.

I particularly remember visiting him at Sloan-Kettering hospital in Manhattan. We were both sitting on his bed playing guitars, working out the chords to one of his new songs. He was attached to an IV line and the bottle was swinging out of time to the music. As the chemo agents dripped in he turned pale and started throwing up. He declared that he was going to shave off his mustache because it made such a damned unwelcome vomit filter...then we kept on playing.

May Stevie live forever in our memories.

Best to all, Ray Frank

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Clifton53
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 12:51 AM

The most recent time that I was in attendance at a John Prine show, he went on about how Steve Goodman would chide him on his guitar playing, especially about something called,"tempo". He also went on to say how much he had learned about "courage" from Mr. Goodman, and went on to play "Souvenirs". Nuff said I guess.

Hello to Saul Brody! Loved " Jessies Jig ", always wondered how you did it.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: musicmick
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 01:16 AM

I was glad to see that message from Ray Frank, another member of the Paula Ballan Key Club. As I recall, Ray met his wife at Paula's. It was nice to see Saul Broudy's name, too. Saul was a close friend of Steve's. I have Steve Goodman stories too, but my lousy typing and my waning sence of decency forbid my telling them. I can tell you all that Steve was a gentle, funny genius. Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Devilmaster
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 09:16 AM

Didn't read trough all msgs.... but my favorite Goodman song would be 'A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request'

Side Note: A major Cubs Fan, who wrote the song in disgust of their constant losing ways, and never making the playoffs. In 85(?) as the Cubbies were pushing for a pennant, Steve was signed on to sing the national anthem for the first playoff game. He died from Lukemia 2 weeks or so before the start of playoffs.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 10:07 AM

My experience with Steve Goodman was just a snippet...A songwriter friend of mine picked me up in his VW Bug and unbeknownest to me he'd picked Steve up on the way over to my place, as we were to perform in a benefit at the aforementioned club Somebody Else's Troubles. My shock at seeing Steve in the car was quickly removed by the simple act of him climbing into the backseat so I could ride shotgun. On the way to the club just his observational humor about everyday life had me in tears of laughter. No one was more shocked than me when he asked me to join him onstage for the finale. His charm was in the way he wouldn't 'let' you give him deferential treatment. As we were riding to the gig my friend mentioned that he'd gotten a new baseball glove and had found a bell he'd attached to his fender and would ring with a string run out of the car window to which Steve said, "Geez, Tom yer everybody's hero...you got a cool bell, a new baseball glove and a $200.00 car"...I still laugh at the memory of that comment. Steve was generous, kind and I feel blessed for the experience of him in my life...

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 02:40 PM

Saul,
I treasure a couple of cassettes I've got of you backing U. Utah in the 70s at The Earl. Made through the sound system. It was a highpoint of some kind I've always thought.

Was it you who said, "Harmonica just comes down to your basic suck - blow, suck - blow, suck - blow..."

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Clifton53
Date: 04 Dec 01 - 03:56 PM

Saul, sorry about the spelling mistake on your last name.

The stories I've read here confirm my sense of what Steve was like, and I wish I had met him.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 12:11 PM

refresh so Clay Eals can find the thread easier

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Ferrara
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 01:05 AM

So good to read this thread. I didn't know Steve personally, but still felt a personal loss when he died.

A friend and I went to see -- was it Ian and Sylvia? Really? Maybe it was John Prine, but I really think it may have been Ian & Sylvia.... Anyway, Steve Goodman was the intro act. Ellen & I felt like we had struck gold. Steve played so long that I&S cut their act a bit short as I remember.... Generous of them. Steve had been VERY well received by the audience and they were totally relaxed and generous about it.

We thought he was incredible, went to see him several more times, once at the Cellar Door in D.C.

There were so many things about him, his incredible guitar playing, great songs, but more than anything his warmth and his crazy sense of humor ... and he enriched my vocabulary! -- I remember him telling a story of an evening when he "proceeded to get toilet-hugging drunk.... Spent the whole night driving the porcelain bus...." ... I always think of that expression, and his story about how "City of New Orleans" got nowhere until Arlo Guthrie started singing it, and his "Vegetables Ball" song, and just his total vitality and good humor.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,GUEST: Clay Eals
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 01:33 AM

Glad and grateful to see this thread. Thanks to Art Thieme and Saul Broudy, two of my earliest and best sources, for pointing it out to me.

For the past two-and-a-half years, I've been researching and writing a book on Goodman, who died of leukemia in 1984 at age 36. I've traveled all over the country and interviewed more than 485 people for the book, including family members, friends, his oncologists, people who knew Steve in his elementary, high-school and college years, as well as performers and celebrities such as Arlo Guthrie, Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Martin, Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, David Allan Coe, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, John Sebastian, Leo Kottke, John Hartford, Phoebe Snow, Bryan Bowers, Maria Muldaur, Studs Terkel, Mimi Fariña, Tom Rush, Rosalie Sorrels, Ralph McTell, Earl Pionke, Arif Mardin, Lily Tomlin, Michael Smith, David Bromberg, Corky Siegel, Josh White Jr., Martin Mull, Tom Chapin, Jim Post, Chad Mitchell, Ray Nordstrand, Harvey Andrews, John McEuen, Jimmy Ibbotson, David Amram, Larry Rand, Stuart Gordon, Samantha Eggar, Bill Quateman, Sammi Smith, Roger Ebert, Bob Hoban, Sean Kelly, Buzzy Linhart, Chips Moman, Roy Leonard, Doc Watson, Richard Harding, Stephen Wade, Richie Havens, Claudia Schmidt, Joel Dorn, John Allan Cameron, Harry Waller, Barry Hansen (Dr. Demento), Katy Moffatt, Loudon Wainwright III and Ed, Fred and Alan Holstein. I've outlined chapters and begun writing, and I have a contract offer from a Chicago publisher. The book probably is a couple years away from publication.

If any of you have stories and insights you would like to share for the book, please get in touch with me off Mudcat. I would be happy for any of you to see my project overview and complete interviewees list, if you like. Just say the word, and I'll e-mail them. Of course, if you just want to be notified when the book is out, I'm maintaining a contact list for that purpose as well.

Thanks in advance for your help, and I'll look forward to hearing from you!

Clay Eals 1728 California Ave. S.W. #301 Seattle, WA 98116-1958

[phone] [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: SaulBro
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 01:46 PM

Thanks for all the great comments and hellos!!! Yes, Art and all, the 1970s in Chicago were fabulous, back in my drinking days... the time of my life going almost nightly from Holstein's(and later Somebody Else's Troubles), both 2am-closing clubs, to the Earl of Old Town, with a 4am-closing license, and playing harmonica with whomever would have me. I feel privileged to have touched this scene for at least several weeks a year during that decade...kinda like if I had been in Kansas City in the mid-30s(though different type of music)! I recently visited Chicago after many years' absence and had a chance to reminisce with old friends still around, look at where the old haunts used to be, and take a photo of the "Steve Goodman Way" street sign on N.Lincoln Ave.(by the Old Town School of Folk Music).

Saul Broudy

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: SaulBro
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 03:27 PM

Correction, in the interest of complete accuracy:

Above I wrote:

<>

As Clay Eals kindly pointed out, I made a careless mistake...of course SET preceded Holstein's.

Saul

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 12:03 PM

Saul, That was indeed an incandescent time (as Gamble used to say) to be a part of that Chicago scene. Larger than life characters with mesmerizing nightlife and beautiful waitresses (even if that's sexist---hell, it was a different era!), some pretty fine music and breakfast at 5:AM after the Earl or any of the other full time 35 or so folk clubs, bars and coffeehouses closed.

There was a great other thread on those places but I don't recall tit's name...

Clay, I, for one, am excited about your book.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Hasek
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 01:07 PM

Dear Catters, If ever there was a man who started me to perform, it was Steve Goodman. As I read each of the fine letters and stories contained here and then reflected on each, tears began to stream down my eyes in remembrance of Steve Goodman. If ever there was a man who represented his city, his music , his zest for life and family and his continual support for ALL musicians of every level and HIS total dedication to his audience, Steve was it. Every night I play , I play a song to and for Steve , in honor of a mentor I will forever love and try to replicate. It is so heart warming to hear the comments from Art Thieme and Saul Brody and some of you other great performers regarding Steve. This Christmas eve, light a candle , snuggle your loved ones very close, light a fire ( if possible ) and listen to " Yellow Raincoat " and all the rest of the incredible songs , Steve penned. Thank you , Mud catters and others for honoring my teacher, Steve Goodman . Happy Holidays to each of you.

Regards,

Mike Strobel www.mikestrobel.com

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 04:29 PM

I have no idea what the program was done for or where it was broadcast, but it must have been a PBS thing or something since it was about the mid 70's and there was no proliferation of channels as we have now. In any case, Arlo was the feature and the "host" I guess you might say. He had two guests.....Steve Goodman and Hoyt Axton. It was not only great musically, but was one of the funniest damn shows I ever saw. Three men with skewed senses of humor and no real script and even less rehearsal, but damn they had a great time!

I've thought a lot about that show and mentioned it a time or two here, but it's probably lost in obscurity forever. I'd love to have a copy though......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 06:27 PM

Refresh, please.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 12:14 AM

The Guthrie family and Hoyt were related in some strange way---quite round-about. I recall a PBS docu-show with Arlo going back to Okemah and standing in the hole that used to be the Guthrie home. He was holding up bricks and saying that, as bricks from Woody's home, these were highly prized in folkie circles in New York and other points East. A few years after that, I got to Okemah and grabbed a brick from the old foundation. Eventually I sent it to Charlie Maguire in Minneapolis. (Charlie is now a singing park ranger somewhere in Minnesota.)

Ah, nostalgia!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 02:21 AM

Steve was just mentioned on another thread (here), and it seemed like a good time to refresh this gem.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Jim Colbert
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 09:22 AM

Hey, as a timely update to this thread, Village Records (www.villagerecords.com) has listed that the Austin City Limits shows are being released on videotape now.

Man, just a few more things and I can get rid of my beta and my turntable. (I'm serious!)


steve goodman video

jim

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: fsharpdim7
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 04:53 PM

The Goodman dvd just came yesterday from Elderly (that thread on their service should indicate that service now is great). Looking forward to seeing it.   I also recommend the John McCuen dvd with Laurie Lewis et al.
I have been a Steve Goodman fan, since I started buying "Come for to Sing" in the early 70's that printed a lot of his songs. But since those were the days when the children were young, etc., I saw him only once. It was at an Old Town School event (when they had the branch in Evanston) - Win Stracke was singing and he brought Steve up from the audience. They did "City of NO" - Steve was there to listen, not play, and he did not have his guitar - he had to pretend to be playing while he sung (in his lively manner, with that great smile), since he said he had never done the song without a guitar!!
What a talent!!
Art (or others) do I remember correctly that Steve learned a lot of this licks from Big Bill Broonzy? Was that at the Old Town School?
Keep the memory alive, Chris

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: harvey andrews
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 06:48 PM

Our son just gave us a DVD player. This is going to be our first purchase!!!! Can't wait.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 01:19 AM

Bill Broonzy passed away before I believe. Still, his influence (Bill's) was and is all around the Old Town School of Folk Music. Mark Dvorak, these days, is carrying on singing and teaching a slew of Broonzy's songs.

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: fsharpdim7
Date: 27 Feb 03 - 10:49 AM

Thanks for the reply, Art.
I listened to some of the Goodman dvd last night. Very good, except that the camera work is terrible in not showing close-ups of his playing.
Also, Mark Dvorak will be at the Artichoke in Portland, OR on Sat am to tape a River City Folk show with Tom May - and there will be a live audience! Great for Mark!!
Listening to continuation of Johnny Cash birthday tribute on WDVX, Knoxville -- ain't science wonderful.
Chris, Wheaton, Illinois

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM

Fsharp, Mark Dvorak is in Toledo, Oregon tonight---Friday--Febr. 28th

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: fsharpdim7
Date: 28 Feb 03 - 05:41 PM

Art et al.,
I won't be in OR for 2 weeks until I go there to see the grandkids. But I told Mark that I would watch for when they broadcast the River City show on WDCB.
This weekend is the St. David's Day celebration in Chicago - Cymru Byth - O bydded i'r heniaith barhau (Long may the old Welsh language continue).
I told Folkwax about the Goodman dvd, so I hope that they review it.
Do you know how Steve's kids are doing? Any musicians?

On a side "note," does anybody ever listen to Lou Curtiss on Sat am on WorldMusicRadio? The connection is not great on my dialup, but he sure plays interesting things - maybe I should start a Lou Curtiss thread - he deserves a lot of credit for what he does, I think. Have a good weekend.

Chris, Wheaton, ILL

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Bill Story
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 09:45 PM

I discovered Steve Goodman, some years ago, sort of by accident. A big Prine fan, I began to be aware of his name here and there and bought his double CD one day at Best Buy. I can only envy you folks who knew him, or even saw him perform. That, aside from his writing and playing genius, he must have been a hell of a fellow is manifest. If he and Prine and so many others could't have happened in Texas, I'm glad you got to have them in Chicago. After all, y'all ain't really yankees.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Matt_R
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:12 PM

ahhhh I love "The Dutchman"! The line "Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes" gets me every time...

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 02:24 AM

It's great that Stevie's name keeps comin' to the top. As I said prviously in this thread, quite a while ago now, watch for Clay Eals' book one of these years. I think he'll do a fine job.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 09:18 PM

Tom Dundee regularly closes with "Do You Want to Learn to Dance?" - one of Steve's truly great songs. Another tribute album would be a good idea.
Chris in Wheaton

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 10:03 AM

Re. Harvey Andrews' story, I can vouch for that - I was there. Steeleye Span had done their first set with a drummer at Cambridge, glam-rock gear and all, and Harvey had to work bloody hard to follow them - which he did. Steve came on, then John Prine, then the two of them together. All this after Planxty and Stephan Grappelli the same night. Steve Goodman was always great at Cambridge. He could make them eat out of the palm of his hand.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,alex
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 11:31 PM

hey, guys. i don't really know what this mudcat.org place is, i just stumbled on it on a search for steve goodman. i'm 16 years old, and somehow managed to pull off being a big prine/goodman fan, including playing some of their music with my guitar. i'm sure i do all of it a disservice, but i think it sounds pretty good in its own right. anyway, since i never got to have any first hand experience with steve, i just wanted to let you know that i really appreciate you all sharing your memories.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 01:24 AM

Alex,

Thanks. It's great to see you liking this music. Steve was one of the great performers---and a very nice guy as well. Reading some of these posts helps me sort of keep him and his presence in mind.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 02:53 PM

Thanks to everyone for this thread.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: BK Lick
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 06:41 PM

Time to refresh this wondrous thread -- Sept. 20th will be the twentieth anniversary of Steve's death.

Here's an announcement from Tom Dundee's email list about next week's program in his "Somebody Else's Troubles Sundays" series at Lucille's, a splendid bar with a gourmet kitchen, at the place formerly known as S.E.T.

-- BK

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Steve Goodman's passing.

There's no need to try to remark on his impact on the music scene in Chicago as I'm sure nearly all of you are already aware.

The list of his accomplishments is not limited to his songs that became well known, but certainly include every one of his stellar performances. It's been at least twenty years since anyone has witnessed his magic act of transforming the rickety folk club into the grand concert hall in the eerie morning hours while outside the Wells Street wind hollered at the heavy doors like an unaccomplished opening act.

Some would incorrectly assess a great void for the past two decades. In fact, there is a reverberation of his talent in almost everyone who heard him.

On Sunday, September 19th, there will be a special gathering of many of us to remember. Performing will be Ed Holstein, Jim Tullio, Corky Siegel, Harry Waller, Barbara Barrow, Mick Scott, and myself.

I hope you can come by.

Lucille's
2470 N. Lincoln Ave.
773 929 0660
6 PM

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joybell
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 08:40 PM

We'll be there in spirit. Joy and her True-love

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 11:16 PM

Joy and true love,

Check the "Beatnik, Prevert..." thread. Small world!!??!!

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Augie
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 06:05 PM

Art
Do you or,for that matter any Mudcatters, know if Clay Eals' book on Stevie will be out anytime soon?

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 08:18 PM

Clay is here in this thread. But I don't see his book seeing publication for a while yet from stuff he has told me. I'm looking forward to it too.

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 08:41 PM

Hey, folks,

Reading over my posts earlier in this thread I see I ought to clear up something I said.

I DID NOT wish to say that Steve and I had, as kids, gone to Cub games together. I was older than Steve Goodman and did not live in his part of Chicagoland.

I said, "We" went to Wrigley Field after school and, when they opened the gates to let folks out in the seventh inning, "we" would walk in and watch the rest of the game. --- "WE" was NOT Steve and me !! It was me and my friends from Nettelhorst grade school at 32?? North Broadway who did that.

Since this good thread is about Steve Goodman, it's too easy for people to think I was saying that he and I had done that. WE DID NOT !!-----------I hope that clears the waters.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 09:50 PM

Thanks Art. What a wonderful tangle these threads become. Hope I haven't made them more tangled. I've posted Hildebrand's connections on the "Beatnik, Pervert" thread. Joy

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Eric the Streetsinger
Date: 14 Sep 04 - 01:41 PM

Shortly before he passed away, Steve did a television appearance-
and sang a tune which (I think) was called "My Old Man" and I am
really glad that I was alone to watch that show because I cried
like a baby. Steve really had "it", whatever "it" is. He was the
real thing!

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GLoux
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 10:14 AM

My favorite memory of Steve is him at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in the mid to late seventies sitting in with Martin, Bogan and Armstrong and them doing Barnyard Dance together. They had the audience in the palms of their hands and you could tell he loved it...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,jim tullio
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 12:27 PM

today is the 20 year anniversary of steve' s death, i thought i'd log on and see what other peole were saying. i read some pretty good stories that brought back a lot of memories.
my memories of steve will never fade, like the times we would go up to the third floor of his house on asbury street in evanston and steve would spin records of all his favorite soul and r&b tunes for hours on end. he would get so worked up about the music and talk about every track in detail. i also remember being on the road with steve and how gracious he always was and always made sure all the musicians were taken care of. a number of times the road manager would screw up and not book enough hotel rooms for everybody and steve would always make sure we all had rooms and he would end up doubling up with whoever. i always thought that was amazing! he was a selfless person with the biggest heart. i miss him and love him......
.....jim tullio

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 10:39 AM

Jim Tullio! Good to hear you are still around. Are you going to be playing at the memorial for Steve in NJ? Beginning of October I believe, sorry I won't be able to make it there.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: BK Lick
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 05:28 PM

Jim was very much around last night, playing exquisite acoustic bass with most of the musicians (see the list about ten posts up) at Tom Dundee's tribute to Steve. What an evening! Every performance was splendid but I'll just mention two that were unforgettable: Barbara Barrow singing "The Dutchman" with Jim, Mick Scott (mandolin), Corky Siegal (harp), and everyone in the room on the chourus; and Tom singing "Would You Like to Learn To Dance?" with Jim, Mick, and Howard Levy (harp) -- just before the final verse Tom whispered something to Howard, put down his guitar, went over to Stevie's mom, Minnette, and gently danced with her a while before going back on stage to sing the last verse; it was a touching and beautiful moment.

-- BK

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 29 Jul 05 - 10:35 AM

Here is the "Who Is Steve Goodman" thread for those talking about the question Who Wrote City Of New Orleans in that other thread. There is much to read about Steve here.

All the best,

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 26 May 07 - 11:58 AM

Clay Eals' book is indeed here.----STEVE GOODMAN----FACING THE MUSIC. It's a wealth of great tales and info about this master performer and the p[eople around him in the Chicago folk music world.

It's a great read!! And I'm only 400 pages into it...

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:03 PM

Clay Eals and I will be talking about his book shortly and the full interview will air on TRADITIONS (WFDU) on Sunday June 24.   Check my blog   http://billhahnprogramnotes.blogspot.com for some comments about it now. Suffice it to say I have started this 800 page tome and am completely mesmerized by it.

The research, the detail, and the photos. Almost like living Steve's life with him again.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 04 Aug 07 - 11:27 PM

Now that Clay Eals' amazing biography of STEVE GOODMAN is at long last available and in stores etc etc I figure it's time to bring back this older thread. The full name of the book:

STEVE GOODMAN---Facing The Music

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 04 Aug 07 - 11:35 PM

Folks, please, I'm so sorry about refreshing this -- yet again. I completely forgot I'd done it before, and just a short time ago. Really, I'm told that my worse than normal (for my age) recent memory problems come from my main malady. It truly gets annoying as all hell sometimes---not to mention it being terribly embarrassing!

Onward====

Art

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 12:51 AM

Last time you were only 400 pages into it! Howsabout an update? And, it never hurts to nudge our memories...keeps the good threads from fading away!

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 01:10 PM

REFRESH:

Chicago--SENATE OKs GOODMAN POT OFFICE NEAR WRIGLEY FIELD

This news just came to me!!!!!!!!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 01:13 PM

THAT SHOULD READ 'POST OFFICE'

dAMN----------sORRY,

aRT (But if you knew Stevie, the first post might be better.)

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 10:32 PM

I know I'm sort of late to the party here, but I've listening to almost nothing but Steve Goodman lately. I always knew he was a great songwriter, but nobody ever talks about what a fine singer he was - a perfect radio voice, loud and clear on every note. A friend of mine pointed that out to me when we were listening to him playing I'll Fly Away and he whispered a verse. And his guitar playing is just phenomenal, I could just listen to him pick for hours. I've never really heard any other folksingers play like that. And he was a born performer... His live stuff is really the best stuff. I wish I could have seen him, but I hadn't even been thought of when Steve Goodman was living. He had a great sense of repertoire, too. Just everything about him, is what an entertainer should be. Thanks for all the good stories, y'all, I enjoyed this thread.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Beer
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 11:53 PM

Hi SirC.....
He left this place way to soon.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 10:13 AM

Saw him play at Cambridge in 1976 (the first time Mike Harding played there!) - Is it really 36 years ago.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Elmore
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 12:01 PM

Saw him a couple of times at the Philadelphia f.f. Wish I had seen him more often.

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: GUEST,Kenny C
Date: 01 Mar 15 - 01:42 PM

I was also at the show Steve did at SUNY Binghamton-was in 74 or 75. The show was in the Social Room and Paula Lockhart opened supported by Peter Eklund on cornet-they were very good and as I recall Peter sat in with Steve on a song or 2. Steve played solo acoustic and put on the best show I ever saw bar none.He would play hilarious tunes with amazing guitar playing and then switch to poignant songs such as the Dutchman and My OLld Man-which brought me to tears. You could have heard a pin drop when he did that one. He also covered John Prine's Christmas in Prison which he also played when I saw him a few years later at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Would love to have a recording of either saw. He was quite simply the best.

Kenny

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: akenaton
Date: 01 Mar 15 - 04:49 PM

Great writer and performer.
My fav Goodman song

Subject: RE: Who Is Steve Goodman?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Apr 20 - 03:57 AM

John, Arlo, Kris And Others Discuss Steve Goodman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZx7xCK6yfo&t=27s

My brother used to book Steve Goodman as the opening act for various performers. My brother says that more often than not, Steve stole the show.

-Joe-