Ep. 149: ENCORE BROADCAST "Roll On, Kalakala" with Jon Pontrello and Jack Broom

Feliks Banel's guests on this very special ENCORE BROADCAST of CASCADE OF HISTORY are singer/songwriter Jon Pontrello and retired Seattle Times journalist (and maritime lyricist) Jack Broom. Jon performs several of his original songs of the sea on this episode, including a tribute to Peter Bevis, the late Seattle artist who brought home the old streamline ferry KALAKALA from Ketchikan in 1998. Jon also performs "Roll On, Kalakala" - a song based on "Roll On, Columbia" for which Jack Broom wrote special lyrics in 1998. Both Jon and Jack share the story of that song and how it was lost and then found, and how Jack wrote new lyrics to reflect the ultimately sad fate of the old ferry. We also hear get a live report from roving correspondent Ken Zick setting the record straight regarding Merchant's Café, before Jon plays a few more songs, and we listen to an old recording of "Ballad of the Cathlamet," another song for which Jack Broom wrote the lyrics. Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory Links to additional info related to this episode include: Jon Pontrello’s website: https://jonpontrello.com/ Jack Broom’s page at The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jack-broom/ Merchant’s Café website: https://merchantscafeandsaloon.com/ This LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 8pm Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, January 12, 2025 via SPACE 101.1 FM and streaming live via www.space101fm.org. The radio station is located at historic Magnuson Park - formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. The encore broadcast was presented on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.