Music Notes

For Congressman Mike Quigley, you’d think this year was already busy enough.

He’s running for re-election this November for his first full term representing Illinois’s Fifth Congressional District in his hometown of Chicago, where he won a special election last year to replace Rahm Emanuel, who resigned to become President Obama’s chief of staff. While in Washington, Quigley has been sitting on the Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform Committees, where, well, let’s just say, things have been a bit busy lately.

With a well-earned reputation as a hands-on, aggressive and forceful representative of his district, he’s reportedly found time to work as a garbage collector to experience first-hand how hard the job is, eaten lunch in a school cafeteria to see what the government is doing about children’s nutrition, and served hot dogs and soft drinks at popular eateries in his district to meet first-hand with his constituents.

Yet, despite his rigorous schedule, amid the pressures of being a first-term Congressman, he’s made time for one of Chicago’s favorite musical sons.

Last spring, Quigley sponsored a bill to name the Lakeview post office in Chicago after Steve Goodman, the popular Northside of Chicago songwriter who died of leukemia in 1984 at age 36. Goodman, as all good baseball fans know, was the author of “Go, Cubs, Go,” the team’s virtual theme song, as well as the poignant “Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request.” Music fans will also recall that, among a plethora of great songs, Goodman penned “City of New Orleans,” arguably the greatest train song ever written, which was made a hit by Arlo Guthrie.

Both houses of Congress unanimously approved the legislation, which was signed into law on August 3 by President Obama, a Chicago native, albeit not a Cubs fan, but a White Sox rooter.

And, despite his other myriad responsibilities, Quigley said the decision to honor Goodman was an easy one.

“I chose Steve Goodman because of his contributions to folk music and the cultural heritage of the City of Chicago. He created some of this country’s most stirring songs while battling cancer,” Congressman Quigley said in an interview with Sound Waves.

“Today, we think of him each time the Cubs win a home game; he was a great Cubs fan, but his impact stretches far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field and it’s important that we remember that he did so much more than pen ‘Go, Cubs, Go,’ “ he added.

And, if you think this was just some hackneyed move by a politician eager for publicity, well, you don’t know Mike Quigley.

“I’m a huge fan (of Steve Goodman),” the Congressman continued. “The Chicago music scene has always been a favorite of mine—from seeing some of the all-time great rock bands at places like the Metro, the Aragon Ballroom, and the old Chicago Stadium, to living in the same neighborhood as Billy Corgan during the Smashing Pumpkins’ heyday.”

OK, I’m betting the national debt that that your Congressperson has no idea who Smashing Pumpkins are, but, clearly, among many other things, Mike Quigley knows a thing or two about music.

“I first saw Steve Goodman at the Earl of Old Town in the '70s. That was my first experience with live music,” he said. “When Johnny Cash, Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson think highly enough of you to sing your songs, then I think it’s safe to say you’re onto something ”.

Most importantly, Goodman’s family was involved in, approved of, and is very appreciative of the gesture, and the reaction in his Congressional district has also been heartfelt, Quigley said.

“The reaction has been terrific,” he said. “We’ve worked closely with the Old Town School of Folk Music, an icon in Chicago music, and people all over the community are thrilled. This fall, we’ll be marking the renaming with a celebration honoring Steve with music that will be a great way to pay homage to one of the all-time great songwriters and all-time great Chicagoans.

“(Steve’s) family will join us for the dedication ceremony, “ he added. “ I’ve been in touch with his mother, Minette, every step of the way and I can’t wait for her to be a part of the celebration for her son.”

And, Quigley said he had no doubt that President Obama, despite being a White Sox rather than Cubs fan, would sign the legislation.

“There was never any worry on this one,” he said. “The President is a Chicagoan, so I knew he’d come through. Sox fans know Steve Goodman’s contributions to music and Chicago, too.”

But, Congressman, will renaming the post office branch after Steve Goodman, end the 102-year “curse” that Cubbies fan have lived with since they last won the World Series in 1908?

“What curse?” asked Quigley. “Every team is entitled to a bad century.”