A song that does manage to really hit the mood even without a ukulele, that missing ukulele, and an artist who does it the hard way but just right. Another Love, originally by Tom Odell, covered by Blanks, and by Josiah and the Bonnevilles. Outro music is Heart on Fire, also by Blanks, and apparently from that thing we discuss in the show.…

A comeback song that does its job perfectly in spite of an incredible disguise, one of the greatest teams in modern music, and an utterly savvy outside perspective. I’m Still Standing, originally by Elton John, covered by Gold Fang. Outro music is I Guess That’s why They Call It The Blues, also by Elton John.…

A genre-specific tragedy, strife in Eastern Europe, and the golden age of musical charity. Last Kiss, originally by Wayne Cochran, covered by Pearl Jam. Outro music is Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A sleeper of a song that doesn’t seem to follow the rules for what a song needs to be, but is an indispensable anchor for a brilliant album, and a cover with a stunning pedigree. Tea for the Tillerman, originally by Cat Stevens, covered by Darren Coggan. Outro music is Poems, Prayers, and Promises by John Denver.…

A rich literary tradition plus an incredible groove builds a great foundation, and goes in unexpected directions from there — including sea shanties? Proud Mary, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Ike and Tina Turner, and by The Longest Johns. Outro music is Santiana, also by The Longest Johns.…

A 90s country mega-hit that doubles down on charming silliness, has no illusions about what it’s trying to be, and does it perfectly, and a cover that probably shouldn’t work, but the right band pulls it off wonderfully. Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident), originally by John Michael Montgomery, covered by Backwoods. Outro music is My Walking…

Greg “Birdman” Redford sits down with Mayor Brown and Stan Knudson to talk all things BBQ and fill them in on the details surrounding the 3 rd annual Morris Rhythm & BBQ Festival which will feature a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned BBQ competition, live music, and lots of great food to be enjoyed in Goold Park on June 15 th ! Subscribe to t…

The power of glam, the birth of hair metal, and the bane of autocorrect. Cum On Feel The Noize, originally by Slade, covered by Quiet Riot. Outro music continues our autocorrect hostility with Slade’s Mama Weer All Crazee Now.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

The most iconic song from the prince of heavy dance music, covered by a band that lives to make it weird — and a huge musical surprise. Head Like A Hole, originally by Nine Inch Nails, covered by Devo. Outro music is I Love Rock And Roll by Tiny Tim. If you want to know what’s up with that, you’ll have to go back and listen to episode 65.…

Learn all about the motivation and inspiration behind one of Morris’s fastest growing and most beloved festivals. Driven by their love for punk rock music and their passion for giving back to their community, hear all about what drives this dynamic duo to not only be business owners, festival organizers, but also be the driving force behind their n…

An archetypical song from an utterly unmistakable band, and a cover with tons of pedigree and set in a context nobody can dislike. People Are Strange, originally by The Doors, covered by Echo and the Bunnymen. Outro music is Lost in the Shadows by Lou Gramm.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Week two of Beyonce-MayOne of the biggest songs in the history of country music completely reinvented by one of the biggest artists in the world. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Beyoncé. Outro music is Sorry, also by Behoncé.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

MRA President and Oleanders Boutique owner Megan Housman and The Thoughtful Spot shop owner and City of Morris Treasurer Terri Kief sit down with us to talk about how their organization made up of small business owners works with local city government and the chamber of commerce to bring fun events to the downtown district to help drive economic gr…

Welcome to the first week of Beyonce-May! We look at a song that’s simple and pretty, with deeper roots that aren’t exactly hidden, but also aren’t exactly front and center, and a cover that knows its history and knows where it’s going. Blackbird, originally by The Beatles, covered by Beyoncé (named Blackbiird in Beyoncé’s cover). Outro music is Da…

A huge song that captures a bit of the magic and musical range of the mid-90s, and still holds up today. Mr. Jones, originally by Counting Crows, covered by The Album Cover. Outro music is Alan’s Morissette’s Hand In My Pocket, also by The Album Cover.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Join GEDC President & CEO Nancy Norton and her Business Director Moncia Schild as they discuss the economic landscape in Grundy County and the City of Morris. Learn more about how the GEDC serves as the primary resource for information when investors, site selectors, and industry leaders are looking to locate or expand their business. Subscribe to …

One of the most lovable and comfy songs ever recorded, by a songwriter who kinda lives there, and a cover from a group that really knows their stuff. If I Had A Boat, originally by Lyle Lovett, covered by Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls. Outro music is If I Were The Woman You Wanted by Nanci Griffith.…

A big shift for a talented but comfortably conventional band, and a cover by a group that conquered Europe. Beggin’, originally by The Four Seasons, covered by Maneskin. Outro music is Zitti E Buoni, also by Maneskin, and the song they used to win Eurovision.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Meet retiring City of Morris Water & Sewer Foreman Al Siron and his successor, Dalton Gordon. Al and Dalton discuss what many consider to be the most important service a municipality provides its citizens - their water! Learn more about the hard work and dedication the entire department provides to the residents of our great city! Subscribe to the …

There are so many sides to this song, from the brilliant writing, to the cultural obsession with the secrets behind it, and a huge cast of eligible narcissists ready to play their part. You’re So Vain, originally by Carly Simon, covered by Liza Minnelli, Faster Pussycat, and John Barrowman. Yes, we needed this many versions of it to get to the bott…

One of the biggest duets ever recorded by a pair of artists that were a remarkable team-up, and a cover that’s entirely unexpected, but really did its homework to find the spirit of the song. Outro music is Grease by Frankie Valli, which was written by the Bee Gees, which totally fits if you know what’s up.…

City Planners Mike Hoffman and STan Knudson discuss the importance of city planning and all t hat it entails. Learn more about past projects and also listen in as they paint a picture of the future of Morris. From transportation to landscape design and everything in between, this dynamic duo is an integral part of the City of Morris. Subscribe to t…

A controversial song which is still beyond brilliant and with durable and positive musical impact, and a cover that does a complete musical relocation of the song without losing the magic. Graceland, originally by Paul Simon, covered by Willie Nelson. Outro music is In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, but it’s the bit at the end where we get to hear the…

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett joins the conversation. He discusses what he loves about serving the constituents of his district, which stretches across the State of Illinois and includes residents from 13 counties. Get to know the senator and learn more about the challenges and issues most important to the folks from the 53rd District. Su…

A song that redefined a career and charted a new course for an entire generation, a cover that looks back on that new course and smiles, and a version that fit the film because that’s the job it had to do. You Don’t Own Me, originally by Lesley Gore, covered by Joan Jett, and by The Blow Monkeys. Outro music is Bad Reputation, also by Joan Jett.…

One of the most impactful songs of the 80s by a band impossibly deep with talent, and a cover that, honestly, shouldn’t have worked but succeeded brilliantly thanks to the right artist with the right plan. Here Comes The Rain Again, originally by Eurythmics, covered by Macy Gray. Outro music is Macy Gray’s cover of Colby Caillat’s Bubbly — which ap…

The biggest song by the Godfather of American Metal, a cover that captures the essence of a regional sound, and the shame of a Beach Boy. Mother, originally by Danzig, covered by The Delorean Sisters. Outro music is She Bop, by Cindy Lauper.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Building and Zoning Officer Bill Martin joins the podcast to explain how his department plays an important role in residential development, commercial development, code enforcement, and how the permitting process works for developers and residents. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fm…

A song that may not have stood the test of time, but definitely lives rent free in your head — and a band that may well do the same. Abracadabra, originally by The Steve Miller Band, covered by Sugar Ray. Outro music is My Own Worst Enemy by Lit.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A huge song from a band that should have taken over the world, an early cover from a band that kinda did, and a family band that can hold their own with both of them. I’m a Man, originally by Spencer Davis Group, covered by Chicago Transit Authority, and by Los Lonely Boys. Outro music is 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago, where they really let the horns go …

Kevin Schramm of WCJS/WJDK radio is used to conducting the interview. In this episode, Mayor Brown and Stan Knudson flip the script and interview Kevin to learn about the interesting personalities he has worked alongside in the past, how he got his start in radio, and the partnership between his station and the City of Morris. Subscribe to the podc…

An unforgettable song with origins we never would have expected, and a wild ride of popularity nobody could have predicted. Unchained Melody, originally by Todd Duncan, covered by The Righteous Brothers. Outro music is Christmas in Prison by John Prine.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Get out your striped socks and your blue foods for an ultra-listenable song that had massive success, and a cover that understood the assignment better than anyone could have expected. Riptide, originally by Vance Joy, covered by Stealth. Outro music is Pokerface, by Lady Gaga. Also we have a reading assignment for you this week, and we guarantee y…

In this episode, Mayor Brown and Stan Knudson are joined by Greater Joliet YMCA Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin and President & CEO Katy LeClair who give an update on the progress of construction of the new Morris YMCA facility. In addition, they also discuss programming and the transformative impact this will have on the surrounding area. Sub…

We’re not saying that doubling down on emotionally abusive high school BS is the way to write great music, but wow, there’s some great music steeped in emotionally abusive high school BS. Go Your Own Way, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by The Cranberries. Outro music is (They Long To Be) Close To You, but the cover version by The Cranberries.…

The most important song in the history of Heavy Metal has a lot more substance than you might think, as does that song’s most unexpected cover. War Pigs, originally by Black Sabbath, covered by T-Pain. Outro is Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Chief Steffes tells us what inspired her to pick a career in law enforcement and explains how the MPD is connecting with constituents. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions

One of the biggest - and most impactful - songs of the 80s, when art rock turned into party rock without losing any of the art. And a cover that shows off a special kind of genius steeped in the purest fandom. Sledgehammer, originally by Peter Gabriel, covered by Lowland Hum. Outro music is Higher Love, by Steve Winwood.…

Meet Grundy County COC President/CEO Christina Van Yperen and learn about her important role in our community. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions

We start with an artist you know, but probably don’t know you know, and finish with one you definitely know, but maybe didn’t know like this. Just One Smile, originally by Gene Pitney, covered by Sheena Easton. Outro music is A Love Bizarre, by Sheila E, because we couldn’t help ourselves.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

We kick off the new year with a foundational song by a tragic but influential artist, check out a cover by a band that learned all the right lessons, and listen to a version that only exists because network TV executives have no idea how to do their jobs. Twenty Flight Rock, originally by Eddie Cochran, covered by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet…

We are continuing our conversation with City Clerk Lori Werden and learning more about how our city budget works. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions

An art project that had a shocking degree of influence on literally all of modern music, and a cover that tries really hard to … well, it tries really hard. Tom’s Diner, originally by Suzanne Vega, covered by AnnenMayKantereit with Giant Rooks. Outro music is Keep On Moving by Soul II Soul.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

This week, we focus on New Wave greatness, Patriotism, and questionable sandwich spreads. Down Under, originally by Men At Work, covered by Nick Cunningham, and by Leftover Crack. Outro music is Kookaburra, by Octopretzel.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Meet Lori Werden and learn more about her passion for being a steward of taxpayer dollars. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions

You don’t want to miss this. We find deep context, make profound connections, and enjoy some impossibly good — and important — tunes. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, originally by Wham!, covered by Shawn Mullins. Outro music is Cecilia, by Simon and Garfunkel.By Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A brilliant but deeply troubled band, a band whose fame almost matches their egos, and an under appreciated band that knew exactly how to get the most out of their music. Wild Horses, originally by The Flying Burrito Brothers, covered by The Rolling Stones (yes, really, we explain it), and by The Sundays. Outro music is She’s a Rainbow, by The Roll…

Julie Wilkinson returns as we discuss all that Morris has to offer for the upcoming holidays. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions

A classic song by a band that filled their musical space better than anyone, and a surprising duet that’s a complete departure, that’s still utterly faithful to the original. Have You Ever Seen The Rain, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson. Outro music is It Happens by Sugarland, so we know yo…

In this episode meet Julie Wilkinson and learn more about her important role as the City of Morris’ Economic Development Director. Subscribe to the podcast HERE City of Morris, IL Hosted on Transistor.fmBy Little City Productions