Petaluma Pete has written a song about former reporter Bill Soberanes and his impact on the town that will be performed at Petaluma the Musical Aug. 25-28. Here are the words:
Bill Soberanas started writing back in ’54.
He wrote a daily column for the newspaper.
He’d seen and heard it all before.
Bill Soberanes. A reporter who was always on the beat.
With a camera and a note pad and an old briar pipe firmly clinched between his teeth.
Bill Soberanes. Mr. Petaluma was his name.
He never missed a deadline in 49 years.
The dude was really on his game.
Bill Soberanes had a shameless, promoting flair.
He brought back the Whiskerino fest.
Raising money just for growing hair.
Bill Soberanes. Imagination was his way.
The first ugly dog event was his idea.
An international event today.
But the coolest thing that he ever did do was the wrist-wrestling contest from Gilardi’s saloon.
Only for the strong and not for the frail. To win this contest was the holy grail.
It became televised as the word got around. It grew so big that is was Reno bound.
But not before that statue up on Washington street. Bronze wrist wrestlers locked in a dead heat.
Because of Bill Soberanes. Petaluma is a better place.
Bill Soberanes. He gave our town a story and a face.
He gave our town a story and a face.
