Service with a Song: Whistling Postman Delivers Daily Mail with Music
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: September 6, 2012
NORMAL--The United States Postal Service has been plagued with problems this past year....job cuts, lost wages, and downsized offices.
But there's one postal worker refusing to let those problems get him down.
The secret...is with songs.
Meet Ken Kemp:
If life had a soundtrack this man would be writing the tunes.
The 63 year old postal worker spends his days walking these uptown streets whistling with every stride.
"I'm not world class yet, but I'm working on it," laughs Kemp.
He's getting closer to achieving that goal.
Each day this man is heard, well before he's even seen.
Sometimes his songs take people by surprise.
"They think, 'Oh my gosh! We've got some kind of PA system downtown here and isn't this lovely!' Then I walk by and they go, 'Oh it's you!' And I say, 'Yes it is ma'am! Have a good day!"
Kemp's positivity compliments his whistling.
The melodies often start on a high note, ranging from Broadway show tunes to Frank Sinatra songs.
"I can't tell you a "C" from a "D" but I know what I like and I whistle it," said Kemp.
Most times, the maestro gets rave reviews.
"He seems like a guy with an awesome work ethic who does his job with excellence and a smile on his face," said Jennie Edwards. "I appreciate that."
While turbulent times could lie ahead for the U.S. Postal Service, Kemp says if all else fails, he might have another career in store.
"If someone wants to bank roll me, all you millionaires out there, I'll gladly start a whistling clinic. But until then, these Bed Bath and Beyond coupons have to get delivered!"
If nothing else, if his music brightens the day for others or even sparks interest in this age old past time then Kemp says he's completed a job well done.
"I think whistling is a lost art. If I can bring it back and that can be my legacy, being the mailman of Uptown Normal, by gosh, I've accomplished my task."
But there's one postal worker refusing to let those problems get him down.
The secret...is with songs.
Meet Ken Kemp:
If life had a soundtrack this man would be writing the tunes.
The 63 year old postal worker spends his days walking these uptown streets whistling with every stride.
"I'm not world class yet, but I'm working on it," laughs Kemp.
He's getting closer to achieving that goal.
Each day this man is heard, well before he's even seen.
Sometimes his songs take people by surprise.
"They think, 'Oh my gosh! We've got some kind of PA system downtown here and isn't this lovely!' Then I walk by and they go, 'Oh it's you!' And I say, 'Yes it is ma'am! Have a good day!"
Kemp's positivity compliments his whistling.
The melodies often start on a high note, ranging from Broadway show tunes to Frank Sinatra songs.
"I can't tell you a "C" from a "D" but I know what I like and I whistle it," said Kemp.
Most times, the maestro gets rave reviews.
"He seems like a guy with an awesome work ethic who does his job with excellence and a smile on his face," said Jennie Edwards. "I appreciate that."
While turbulent times could lie ahead for the U.S. Postal Service, Kemp says if all else fails, he might have another career in store.
"If someone wants to bank roll me, all you millionaires out there, I'll gladly start a whistling clinic. But until then, these Bed Bath and Beyond coupons have to get delivered!"
If nothing else, if his music brightens the day for others or even sparks interest in this age old past time then Kemp says he's completed a job well done.
"I think whistling is a lost art. If I can bring it back and that can be my legacy, being the mailman of Uptown Normal, by gosh, I've accomplished my task."
