Oh, Yeah, That's the Midnight Special.

The other day, I mentioned the remarkable classical music radio station in Chicago, WFMT, which was broadcasting live the premiere of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's newest production.  In addition to classical music, though, once a week on Saturday night's, they have a show called The Midnight Special, which I wrote about briefly here.  The program mixes folk music, comedy, Broadway, and odds & ends.  I was created by one of their staff announcers over 55 years ago -- a guy named Mike Nichols.  Yes, the same one who went on to be a tremendous director.

The Midnight Special is where I first heard The Second City, material never released on record from some of their legendary performers -- Alan Arkin, John Belushi, Severn Darden, Barbara Harris, and on and on -- since WFMT has had the recording rights to the famed improv comedy troupe for decades.  I first heard Steve Goodman and John Prine there.  You can listen to the show streaming live from WFMT's website, or check out the Midnight Special's own website to see if they syndicate the broadcast in your city.

Over the years, I've recorded some of my favorite selections that they've played on the show, and it's made quite a nice personal collection.  I only wish I had the presence of mind to have done it earlier.

This is one of those Second City sketches.  It's the Rock Candy Mountain Boys -- plus Jerry, telling all about why and singing about their least-favorite food.