Local man looks back with I've Been Everywhere (Chillicothe Version)

CHILLICOTHE − From delivering the newspaper, going to the Ross County Fair and eating Crispie Creme one local man, Mike Armstrong, has put his memories to song with the iconic tune of "I've Been Everywhere."

Armstrong was born in raised in Chillicothe, attended Chillicothe High School and worked as the administrator of Heartland of Chillicothe for several years. Though not a musician and no longer living in the town Armstrong was inspired to write about his time growing up after talking with friends and listening to the Johnny Cash discography.

"I'm not really a musician but I thought maybe I could write a song about Chillicothe," said Armstrong.

The song, Armstrong said, started with him making a list of places he remembered in town, both new and old. He then started working them into the song. He said at the beginning he was a little naive about how writing songs worked as he thought it would be easy but soon found it was much harder fitting in words and making them sound good together.

See other songs inspired by the area: Discover songs that mention Chillicothe

He then recorded the song on his phone, which he said shows more of his naivety, since it did not sound good. So, he found a local recording studio in Columbus, where he now lives, and got to work purchasing the publishing rights he needed and recording. Once finished he put out the song to a music video his wife, Arlene, helped him make featuring old postcards from Chillicothe that he had collected.

With thousands of views, Armstrong said many people have commented to him that they too remember some of the places he mentioned that have since been torn down.

"I've gotten a sense of how much people enjoy it," said Armstrong.

You can listen to I've Been Everywhere (Chillicothe Version) by Mike Armstrong on YouTube.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Sing along to the I've Been Everywhere (Chillicothe Version)