Saturdays at 9:00 pm
Unique weekly series featuring songs, silliness, and show tunes
Original and offbeat, this three-hour Saturday night romp presents fresh new singer-songwriters alongside well-known artists who have played at Chicago area clubs, concert venues, festivals, and on the comedy scene. Inclusive, high-energy, and always entertaining, The Midnight Special offers listeners a lively potpourri of folk songs, ballads and blues, showtunes, spoken word, and hilarious novelty routines. Escape into the stories, experience the emotions, and let loose with a good guffaw whenever you tune in. Get onboard here, on wfmt.com, or use the WFMT app. The Midnight Special first aired in 1953 with Mike Nichols as host. View The Midnight Special archived playlists.
You might also be interested in WFMT's weekly series Folkstage featuring a one-hour folk concert.
The Midnight Special is available for free streaming in two different ways – live during the broadcast and on demand via the rights-compliant 5-hour, non-interactive player below within two weeks of the broadcast.
Notorious!
Famous, infamous, and mythic characters show up this week on Lizzie Borden’s 165th birth anniversary. Bonus! A personal message to Midnight Special listeners from David Yazbek, creator of the Broadway hit Dead Outlaw, along with a pair of songs from the show.
Play ball!
A summertime Chicago tradition on The Midnight Special: Cubs vs. Sox! And is it hot enough for you? Listen to devilishly hot folk songs while you stand in front of the ‘fridge.
Time flies when you’re having fun.
Host Marilyn Rea Beyer celebrates her fifth anniversary on WFMT with three hours of her personal favorites.
Give Peace A Chance
Eighty years ago, two atomic bombs brought an end to WWII action in the Pacific. From Tom Lehrer to Tom Paxton to today’s newest talents, folk musicians have plenty to say.
