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Two American Icons

September 7, 2024, 9:00 pm

split screen of 6 year old Ruby Bridges and Jimmie Rodges with guitar

Ruby Bridges, 1960. And Jimmie Rodgers, The Singing Brakeman, 1931. (PHOTOS: Uncredited DOJ photographer, restored by Adam Cuerden (a relatively minor restoration), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Victor Talking Machine Company (taken by Moss Photo, NYC), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Celebrating two people from different worlds and different eras: Lifelong civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges who turns 70, and “Father of Country Music” Jimmie Rodgers, born September 8, 1897. Also, remembering the multi-faceted Michael Peter Smith.

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The Midnight Special is made possible by the generous support of WFMT members.

Meet the Host

Marilyn Rea Beyer hosted her first concert in junior high as the school band emcee. She got on board The Midnight Special listening to WFMT as a Chicago teenager. She has had careers in arts education, PR and high tech. In 1995, Marilyn became on-air host and music director at Boston’s premiere folk station, WUMB-FM where she was best known for the daily "Live at Noon" show, conducting more than 1,000 artist interviews on the air. She also served on the board of the legendary Club Passim and emcee'd countless concerts in greater Boston. Returning to Chicago, Marilyn joined WFMT in 2020 as host of The Midnight Special and now Folkstage. She says that judicious risk-taking, nurturing artists, falling in love with new music, and engaging with the lively Folkstage audience make the job fun. Marilyn was inducted into the 2023 Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Hall of Fame.

Get in touch at [email protected].

Mornings with John Clare

Mornings with John Clare

Two American Icons