The Man With The Golden Tune

[AjaxEddiefan]

Nice tribute to Steve dude. saw him play with John Prine at Massey Hall in Toronto when I was around 16. My son is 16 now. A ballplayer. We really enjoyed "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" Hope Steve has box seats up there.

[topangapan]

a beautiful tribute Peter. Thank you.

[BajaBeachie]

Thank you. I was there. Chicago. The 1970's. Clay Eals' bio read like a college yearbook for me. Thank you for portraying Steve and his soul so beautifully and accurately. I'm typing through tears.

Kate

[pweisz]

I know what you mean about Clay's book. It's as familiar as an old bathrobe, but, at the same time, filled with new glimpses of Steve's life. I'm glad yo liked the tune. Perhaps you can persuade a talented professional recording artist to pick it up? I'd love for it to get some greater exposure. You can find more of my compositions in the Open Mic section at Folk Alley. Search for Peter Weisz. Thanks again.

[mrsuavelukez12]

beautifully done!

[Lynnsays73]

Thanks for this tribute. I just finished reading "Facing the Music". The book is a work of art about Steve Goodman and his friends. There was so much I did not know about the era.....I graduated from Arlington Heights High in 73. I just wish I had been more mature and gone to SG's concerts....

[peterweisz]

Thanks for the nice words about Steve and about Clay Eals' book. I agree that it is a masterpiece. It inspired not only this video, but an original song and video titled: "Facing the Music." Search for it here at YouTube and let me know what you think.

[henrygreiner]

I saw Steve Goodman 3 times, from folk festivals to large halls. He was an opening act that made the headliner work harder. He had great energy and a great rapport with his audience. He certainly influenced me. Your tribute was touching. Thanks

[FloatingGrin]

Thank you so much for this. A very fitting tribute to a man who had so much amazing music in him

[pweisz]

Your warm words are deeply appreciated. Check out the bio- book "Facing The Music" by Clay Eals. I know you'll enjoy it.

--Peter

[FloatingGrin]

I will do that, thanks.

[raysgirlsofar]

Thank you, thank you for this tribute. The music that touched my heart and tickled my funny bone in my youth still resonates for me today. Sometimes I feel like I belong to a big secret club -- then I tell some folksinger I admire that his playing reminds me of Steve's, and the performer always knows exactly what I mean.

[peregrine11]

I can't even remember when I first saw SG, but it was in the early 70's, and he was my favorite performer in the great Chicago folk scene of the 70's. I usually steer away from videos, but I'm glad I decided to take a look at this. Really well done, and made me cry.

[pweisz]

Dear Peregrine:

Thanks for the tender words of sentiment. I deeply apprecdiate them.  --PW

[peregrine11]

I finally played the CD included with Facing the Music, and there was this song. Very fitting.

[pweisz]

Yeah, Clay did an outstanding job locating tribute tunes like this one. What a masterpiece! I was inspired by the book to write a song for Clay. It's called "Facing the Music" and you can find it on YouTube. Hope you like it.

[goinhomeagin]

He always put his heart & soul into each performance - he radiated joy for his muse. If you see the cover of "Steve Goodman - Facing the Music" by Clay Eals you can see what I mean. I took that picture and am so pleased to be a part of the book paying homage to Steve Goodman. I am so happy that Steve left us so much of his talent - but will always wonder what more could have been in store.

[goinhomeagin]

What a fitting tribute. My sister introduced me to Steve's music & she & I had the good fortune to spend some time with Steve after a show in Indianapolis. We actually drove him back to his "Hotel Room" there & the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile was parked in the lot. Also got to see Steve in Colorado at the Rainbow Music Hall & at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder. I got to visit with him a bit more.

[pweisz]

Thanks for the recollection. The last verse of my song is set in an Indianapolis coffee house called "The Hummingbird" which originally was located in Talbot Village, but by this time had moved uptown to 71st & Keystone. Steve, at the time, was staying at the Budget-8 no-tell motel at 38th & Fall Creek Blvd. where he'd written "This Hotel Room." The Magic Fingers, alas, had been eliminated by then. Check out the Eals book if you haven't yet done so. It's a masterpiece. All the best, --Peter

[pweisz]

Pt. III. As per Jewish custom,I refrained from shaving during the the trdnl. 30day mourning period.I extended the time a bit and did not shave the beard off till 1/1/07. Actually, my hair would be as white as my beard were it not for my vanity and Just For Men.Thanks -Peter

[GoodOldGar]

For you Goodman-aholics, there is a wonderful new biography out, called "Steve Goodman, Facing the Music" (ECW Press, $29.95). The accompanying CD has this song, and there are a couple of pictures of the handsome Peter Weisz in it. Peter, how did you get your beard to come in so white? :-)

[pweisz]

Dear GoodOld:Thanks for plugging Clay's magnificent bio&for differentiating old handsome Peter from current wretched one(I appear 2x in the book.1 shot taken in 1972&other in 2007. Re: my beard. (continued)

[pweisz]

Pt.II I don't normally sport one these days.On 11/8/06 I was on the phone with Clay discussing my memories of Goodman when another call interrupted. The caller informed me that my mother had just died unexpectedly. (continued)

[ibgroovin2]

(contd)

I'll never forget the kindness and encouraging words he gave to a 'Rookie Picker'.

I was deeply saddened by his passing, but the incredible way he 'Championed' right through to the end, taking his chemo while traveling on the road, spoke another volume to his love of ...(contd)

[ibgroovin2]

(contd) The question was directed kinda between them but JP was anxious to "get back to the hotel" (puff-puff no doubt)so he pretty much blew me off. Steve however stepped in and gave me 2mins of locked-in, one-on-one response. (contd)

[ibgroovin2]

(contd)

Met him personally at the Philly Folk Fest in '71 or so. Prine (also one of my 'hero's) and SG were just finishing up an afternoon workshop/performance when I approached them while they were packing up. I had a question about their songwriting methods & influences. (contd)

[GoodOldGar]

Bravo!. I can think of maybe a half dozen Chicago performers who would love to do this song. Steve is/was/and always will be an icon to the Chicago folk community.

[pweisz]

Thanks for your kind words. I would be deeply honored if this song were to be performed by a member of the Chicago folk scene. If you bring it to a performer's attention, be sure to mention that recording this song for any non-commercial purpose is fully authorized by me, the copyright holder. Thanks for your interest.

[wilguinness]

I can't imagin anyone missing steve more then I do...except maybe the millons who have met or heard him. John, of course...Marvin Gardens..(Buffet) and Bonnie Kolic...She would be the Chicago folk scene. This was a fine tribute, you should be proud. All the best.

[pweisz]

Thanks so much for the touching words. You covered the Old Town Chicago folk scene pretty well. John = Prine, I presume. MG = Jimmy. It's spelled Koloc, I believe. But don't forget Claudia Schmidt, Bob Gibson, Hamilton Camp, Shel Silverstein, Tom Rush, Oscar Brown Jr, Tom Paxton, Eric Anderson and the incomparable Karla Bonoff. Yeah, they all sang the blues in Chicago, where a good man (woman) is not forgotten soon. Thanks for your comment. --Peter

[ibgroovin2]

Saw him so many times at 'The Earl' and the 'Knight' ... I'd sit there in the dark diagramming chords and copying lyrics onto bar napkins. He made me want to play guitar, so I did. (contd)

[dddvicddd]

I actually saw Goodman in Vegas. He performed flawlessly, with eyes of blue. He brought out John Prine for a song or two, too. I applauded, but 2000 others waiting for Steve Martin "tried to stare me down and won." But it was the best opening act I have ever seen. -Oh, I remember the funny thing Steve Goodman said each time between songs: "So I was in this hotel room and looked around and noticed that everything rhymed, so I wrote a song."

[hairygertz47]

There's no justice in the world when a great singer/songwriter like Steve is snatched away in his mid thirties and useless pieces of trash like Osama Bin Laden continue breathing for decades beyond that. Stevie...we miss you.