Goodman Gets Post Office

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 3, 2010 6:20PM

A few months back, we mentioned that U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley was aiming to get a Lakeview Post Office named after singer-songwriter Steve Goodman, most widely known for his song "City of New Orleans" but best known locally in these parts as the man behind the "Go, Cubs, Go" song that the team plays after wins (which hasn't been very often this season) and the (sadly) more realistic, "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request." Today, President Obama signed that proposal, paving the way for the post office at 1343 W. Irving Park to be named after him. Goodman studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music along with other folk heavy hitters like Roger McGuinn and John Prine. Goodman died in 1984 from leukemia. In a statement, Rep. Quigley said:

"While most Chicagoans know him for the song we sing after every Cubs’ win, Steve Goodman’s contributions reach far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley. Goodman was one of the most prolific American songwriters and performers of our time whose songs have been played by Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, and John Denver and whose short but tremendous life reminds us how one person can impact so many others. I’m happy to see the President sign this bill into law and I look forward to this fall’s musical celebration.”

James Bau Graves, Executive Director of the Old Town School of Folk Music, added, “It is entirely fitting for Steve Goodman to be recognized through the naming of a post office - a public building used indiscriminately by everybody, from all walks of life, in the course of pursuing the business of everyday life, which provided the inspiration for so much of his life’s work." Quigley spokesman Ben Strauss told the Tribune today that a celebration is likely in "six-to-eight weeks" to rename the post office and that the celebration will involve members of the Old Town School of Folk Music.