Article Contributed by Propeller Publicity
Published on February 4, 2026
Chicago Farmer, the monicker of Illinois musician Cody Diekhoff, is premiering his new single “Great River Road” today and will release it via streaming services this Friday, February 6. It’s the third single from Homeaid, an album of narrative songs informed by Diekhoff’s rural upbringing. “Great River Road” is an homage to one set of grandparents and their enduring love and dedication to each other. Glide Magazine writes, “”With a healthy helping of slide guitar keeping things lathered up, the song is a bright and soaring work of folk-rock that pulls you in with its expansive vocals and lyrics that seem to revel in a timeless spirit. The song also finds Diekhoff tapping into a long tradition of troubadour storytelling, vivid with literary sensibility and observation, and featuring plenty of poignant moments and visuals.”
The song captures an early ‘70s folk-rock vibe ala The Byrds or Bob Dylan with a wistful chorus where he sings, “The young people grow up so fast, and the old people move so slow, and forever never ever really lasts, we’re all waiting on the green light to go.”
“GREAT RIVER ROAD” LISTEN HERE | PRE-SAVE THE SINGLE HERE
PRE-SAVE HOMEAID HERE | PRE-ORDER LPS AND CDS HERE
Diekhoff shares what inspired him to write the song: “Grandpa lived to be just shy of 102, Grandma is 97. I never really thought of them as old until Grandpa had to go to the nursing home a few years ago. He lived in the same farm house that he was born and raised in up until that point. Grandma was healthy and as sharp as ever but decided to go live in the nursing home with Grandpa to live out his final moments.
“It’s a love that I could never really put into words, but I tried with ‘Great River Road.’ The song is about the end of their journey, the next generation reminiscing and echoing their stories that they acquired on the road of life. How mundane yet beautiful life together can be when two souls morph into one and then pass that soulfulness onto the next. Grateful I’m here and able to echo their stories and sentiments.”
Chicago Farmer follows a lineage of folk singers and storytellers that goes back to the days of Woody Guthrie. With Homeaid, he’s made an expansive, richly arranged album featuring members of his touring band. The late Todd Snider was an early champion, saying, “I love Chicago Farmer’s singing and playing and songs, but it’s the intention behind the whole of his work that moves me to consider him the genuine heir to Arlo Guthrie or Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. He knows the shell game that goes on under folk music…which is sacred to me.”
Homeaid puts a spotlight on the old soul nature and deep ethos of compassion and camaraderie that resides at the core of his being, blending Americana, indie-folk and roots-rock. These are songs written for a modern world facing uncertain times.
CHICAGO FARMER ONLINE:
TOUR DATES
* indicates solo dates
2/4 Bonita Springs, FL – Sugarshack *
2/5 St Petersburg, FL – Kerouac House (Sold Out) *
2/6 JAX Beach, FL – Blue Jay Listening Room *
2/7 JAX Beach, FL – Blue Jay Listening Room *
2/9 Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic *
3/6 Davenport, IA – Common Chord
3/7 Des Moines, IA – xBk Live
3/8 Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
3/12 Appleton, WI – Appleton Beer Factory
3/13 Bangor, WI – Leo & Leona’s
3/14 Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
3/19 Newport, KY – Southgate House Revival
3/20 Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI INDY
3/21 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
3/27 Saint Louis, MO – Old Rock House
3/28 Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre
4/3 Chicago, IL – Martyrs’
4/4 Chicago, IL – Martyrs’
4/11 Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe’
4/17 Effingham, IL – Effingham VFW
4/18 Carbondale, IL – Hangar 9
4/24 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
4/25 Columbus, OH – Natalie’s Music Hall
5/8 West Bend, WI – The Bend Theatre
5/9 Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House
