A 75th birthday tribute to Chicago singer-songwriter Steve Goodman
CHICAGO – December 15, 2023 – On Saturday, December 30 at 8:00 pm, Folkstage, WFMT’s Saturday night concert series will mark the 75th anniversary of the birth of the iconic Chicago folk and country singer-songwriter Steve Goodman with a live one-hour special, New Year’s Steve, from WFMT’s Fay and Daniel Levin Performance Studio.
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Folkstage host Marilyn Rea Beyer will welcome a group of special guests to pay tribute to Goodman with a singalong and hootenanny as they share some of his greatest hits, including “The City of New Orleans,” “You Never Even Call Me By My Name,” “Lincoln Park Pirates,” “Lookin’ for Trouble,” “Chicken Cordon Bleus,” “I Ain’t Heard You Play No Blues,” “The Dutchman,” and “Vegematic,” in addition to songs by John Prine, Jimmy Buffett, and others. Beyer will share sweet memories of Goodman, while a new group of artists embrace his classics, including Jon Williams and John Abbey as the house band supporting James Curley, Jenny and Robin Bienemann, Naomi Ashley, Dennis Leise, and introducing Stephen Schuch.
For more than 15 years beginning in 1969, Goodman, a Chicago native, wrote and performed many unforgettable songs. Beyond the selections in this tribute, they include the poignant “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request,” and notably, “Go, Cubs, Go,” an anthem still sung by Cub fans in the stands of Wrigley Field in celebration of every win. Goodman also interpreted many classic tunes by his friends John Prine, Michael Smith, and others.
“Steve Goodman was instrumental in establishing Chicago’s distinctive style of songwriting. He left us far too soon, but his rich legacy of songs remains,” said Folkstage host Marilyn Rea Beyer. “In this Folkstage special, we’ll put Goodman’s classic songs into the hands of current Chicago players performing live on the radio, just as Steve loved to do on WFMT.”
Folkstage is made possible, in part, by an anonymous family foundation, Nancy Clark, Freddi Greenberg and Daniel Pinkert, Bruce Hirsch, Andy and Becky Anderson, Robert and Laura Boyd, Fred Geisler and Lois Polatnick, Robert Sloan and Maurine Neiberg, and the generous support of WFMT members.
WFMT is one of the world’s most respected classical music radio stations broadcasting on 98.7FM, streaming live at wfmt.com, and on the WFMT app. Recognized for trusted hosted programming, immersive live performances and concerts, strong partnerships with community organizations and championing young, local musicians and access to the arts, WFMT spotlights inspiring music, musicians, and musical performances from Chicago and around the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York Philharmonic, and many more. Connect with WFMT on Facebook and Twitter.