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- Arlo visits Kankakee
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- Bill Yohnka
"On my southbound odyssey the train pulls out of Kankakee"
Those words are from "The City of New Orleans" written by Steve Goodman and made famous by Arlo Guthrie. Some claim it as one of the best railroads songs ever written. In Kankakee, Illinois it is something of a claim to fame. Guthrie was recently in Kankakee as part of a benefit tour to aid musician left in Katrina's wake.
Bill Yohnka grew up in Kankakee, Illinois. In this piece he reflects on Guthrie's recent visit to Kankakee, helping New Orleans and how to react when Guthrie sings Can - kakee (Arlo puts more "can" in Kankakee than most of those who live there.)
Yohnka is a 30 year-old from Kankakee who works as a community college administrator, freelance writer, radio host and a dirt track stock car announcer.
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Piece Description
"On my southbound odyssey the train pulls out of Kankakee" Those words are from "The City of New Orleans" written by Steve Goodman and made famous by Arlo Guthrie. Some claim it as one of the best railroads songs ever written. In Kankakee, Illinois it is something of a claim to fame. Guthrie was recently in Kankakee as part of a benefit tour to aid musician left in Katrina's wake. Bill Yohnka grew up in Kankakee, Illinois. In this piece he reflects on Guthrie's recent visit to Kankakee, helping New Orleans and how to react when Guthrie sings Can - kakee (Arlo puts more "can" in Kankakee than most of those who live there.) Yohnka is a 30 year-old from Kankakee who works as a community college administrator, freelance writer, radio host and a dirt track stock car announcer.
Steve Yasko
Posted on December 27, 2005 at 04:07 PM | Permalink
Review of Arlo visits Kankakee
This is cute piece about a cute second or two in American Musical history and the effect it had on its subject.
Oh heck, this is one guy going off on his dull little town that is mentioned in the song City of New Orleans. It's really very nice
A bit whiney in parts, but very nice. Actually, the whining helps the piece a bit by making you wonder why one of the world's most recognizable songs couldn't help the small town it mentions out of the economic doldrums.
The narrator loves his town, that's clear. It's respectful even as he goes relates townsfolk behavior that he seems a bit embarrassed by. Oh well, listeners relate to that...we all have a little bit of blush when it comes to our hometown.
This piece most likely works well for news stations. Even though the subject seems to be music, it's more about economics and societal ills.
The production is top notch, though I would have preferred some music under it. Air this in any show where the subject fits!