Podcast Summary

Podcast: Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Episode: Takin’ A Walk – Music History with Rick Korn: The Enduring Legacy of Harry Chapin and Music That Changes Lives
Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Rick Korn (Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker, director of "Cats in the Cradle: The Song That Changed Our Lives")

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the enduring legacy of Harry Chapin, the transformative power of his seminal song "Cats in the Cradle," and the role of music as a force for social change. Buzz Knight is joined by Rick Korn, whose new documentary explores the roots and ongoing impact of Chapin’s life, songwriting, and philanthropic work—especially around hunger relief and activism. The episode dives deep into how one song, and one man, inspired generations and mobilized a global movement against hunger, tracing this history from its beginnings to its current urgency.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening Reflections and Influences

Icebreaker: Who would you take a walk with?

• Rick Korn initially names his mother, who passed away in 2004, reflecting on personal loss and meaningful connections.
• He mentions Carl Perkins (rock ‘n’ roll legend, wrote "Blue Suede Shoes") as a creative partner influential in shaping his career.
• Korn also wishes he could have met Roberto Clemente, admiring not just his baseball prowess but humanitarianism.
• Quote: “My mother died in 2004 and I often think about, boy, wouldn’t it be great to just dial her up, you know, call her up.” – Rick Korn (05:25)

Early Exposure to Music and Social Causes

• Both Buzz and Rick recall the rich music scene of Long Island and New York, particularly the pivotal role of WNEW radio in the 1970s.
• The Hungerthon, a charity initiative tied to Thanksgiving and inspired by music and radio communities, is introduced as context for Chapin’s activism.
• Quote: “The radio station was WNEW…that’s where you heard…the Beatles… the Rolling Stones…all the great amazing music that came through New York.” – Rick Korn (08:17)

The Creation and Evolution of “WhyHunger”

• The legacy of “WhyHunger”: Started by Harry Chapin and Father Bill Ayers 50 years ago, the organization is more necessary than ever.
  • In 1975, around 20 million Americans faced food insecurity; by 2025, that number is 50 million and projected to climb to 100 million by 2026.
  • The success and visibility of “Cats in the Cradle” provided the platform for Chapin’s activism.
  • Quote: “If there was no ‘Cats in the Cradle’, there wouldn’t have been a WhyHunger.” – Rick Korn (11:49)
• While earlier artists (e.g., John Lennon, George Harrison) participated in musical activism, Chapin pioneered the sustained, organization-based model.
• Chapin’s commitment transcended performance, devoting much of his career to benefit concerts—often to the detriment of his commercial success.
  • Quote: “Harry went out and spent insanely too much time which really hurt his career…He wasn’t going to listen, he was just so passionate…maybe to the point of obsession.” – Rick Korn (15:02)

The Influences That Shaped Musical Activism

• The documentary details how Chapin and Ayers were themselves inspired by George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, but determined that ongoing, organizational work was vital—one concert would never be enough.
• The episode underscores the ripple effect, with Chapin’s legacy directly inspiring events like “We Are the World” and USA for Africa.
  • Quote: “Ken Kragen said…’There wouldn’t have been a We Are the World…if it wasn’t for Harry.’” – Rick Korn (13:12)
• Current hunger crises make these lessons timelier than ever.

Inside the New Documentary: "Cats in the Cradle"

• The film began as an idea during Korn’s previous project, recognizing the profound cultural and personal impact of “Cats in the Cradle.”
• The creative flow for this film was unusually quick:
  • Initial rough cut completed in less than a year (19:38–20:59).
  • Entirely funded by donations (no investors), with cost/mission balance at its heart.

Notable Guests in the Documentary

• Who appears:
  • Billy Joel
  • Judy Collins
  • Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
  • Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (Run DMC)
  • Pat Benatar (recent Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award recipient)
• Each provided unique perspectives:
  • Billy Joel and Judy Collins on songwriting and Chapin’s creativity.
  • Dee Snider on parental relationships and surprising vulnerability.
    • Memorable anecdote: Dee arrives in a muscle car, carries the steering wheel into the house to prevent theft. (26:40)
  • DMC’s personal story—how “Cats in the Cradle” shaped his recovery and his collaboration with Sarah McLachlan.
• “The song is about all of us…all of us have a parental experience one way or another…even if your father or your mother wasn’t in your life, it still affects you.” – Rick Korn (30:50–31:10)

The Distinctiveness of Harry Chapin’s Songwriting

• Chapin’s “story songs” draw their enduring power from authenticity and relatability—"his stories are us.”
  • Even when inspired by life, the songs go beyond autobiography to speak to universal experiences.
  • Chapin’s background as a documentary filmmaker informed his narrative songwriting.
  • Quote: “He writes about humans and his stories are relatable because there’s a piece of all of us in his stories.” – Rick Korn (32:26)

Next Steps for the Documentary and Ongoing Charitable Work

• The film is now available on Amazon, Apple TV, and iTunes, with more platforms to come (32:54).
• Korn describes the upcoming 50th Anniversary Hungerthon Concert (December 14, Asbury Park):
  • Features house bands combining members of Disciples of Soul and E-Street Band, with special guests including Young the Giant, Yola, Dixie Dregs, the Smithereens, and more.
  • Efforts include artist summits and continued momentum for hunger relief.
  • Quote: “We’re doing a major hungerthon concert…an amazing crew of folks. Many are new to WhyHunger, many are not.” – Rick Korn (33:18)

Takeaways: The Life Lessons of “Cats in the Cradle”

• Korn highlights the modern resonance of the song’s message, now relevant for both mothers and fathers balancing work and family.
• The film encourages reflection on time, priorities, and finding common humanity in shared dilemmas.
  • Quote: “Time is short and to make the best of it with your kids and your family…don’t waste any time. Now is the time.” – Rick Korn (36:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If there was no ‘Cats in the Cradle’, there wouldn’t have been a WhyHunger.” – Rick Korn (11:49)
• “Harry went out and spent insanely too much time which really hurt his career…He wasn’t going to listen, he was just so passionate…maybe to the point of obsession.” – Rick Korn (15:02)
• “He writes about humans and his stories are relatable because there’s a piece of all of us in his stories.” – Rick Korn (32:26)
• “Don’t waste any time. Now is the time.” – Rick Korn (36:14)
• [On Dee Snider:] “He gets out of the car, he can’t lock his doors, so he takes the steering wheel out of it…that is Dee.” – Rick Korn (26:49)
• “The song is about all of us…all of us have a parental experience one way or another.” – Rick Korn (30:50)

Key Timestamps

• 05:14–06:27: Rick Korn's choices for "who would you take a walk with?"
• 08:10–09:07: Memories of Long Island/NYC radio, WNEW, and the roots of Hungerthon
• 10:00–12:08: The creation and ongoing importance of WhyHunger; staggering hunger statistics
• 13:10–15:28: Harry Chapin as pioneer of activism: influence, activism vs. career, inspiration for later benefit concerts
• 18:19–21:23: Filming and creative process behind "Cats in the Cradle" documentary; contrasts with earlier, slower projects
• 25:03–29:00: Behind the scenes: guests in the documentary and their stories
• 32:54–35:19: Film distribution/availability and details on the upcoming Hungerthon Concert
• 35:32–36:39: Korn reflects on the message, hope, and lessons of the film

Final Reflections

Rick Korn and Buzz Knight celebrate the legacy of Harry Chapin—not only the narratives of his music, but also his lived activism and its ongoing relevance. Through intimate stories, urgent statistics, and heartfelt memories, the episode invites listeners to see the ways music can spark cultural change and calls them to act on the lessons of "Cats in the Cradle": cherish time, fight for justice, and build community.