December 24, 2012
What do Cheryl Wheeler, Pete Seeger, Christine Lavin, Woody Guthrie, John Gorka, Ani DiFranco, Tom Paxton, Jean Redpath, Bob Newhart, Robin & Linda Williams, Mike Nichols & Elaine May, Odetta, Mitchell & Webb, Carrie Newcomer, Big Bill Broonzy, and Susan Werner – and now Nancy Beaudette – have in common?
They and thousands of other traditional and contemporary folk performers, avant-garde singer-songwriters comedians and satirists fill a three hour entertainment that we call The Midnight Special. Nancy and her Holiday CD “Fa La La” are among Rich’s picks this week. “It’s an honour to be on Rich’s playlist – but to be one of his favourites is truly humbling,” says Nancy.
The Midnight Special is an syndicated radio program recognized as one of the premier broadcasts in the folk music world. It is broadcast on WFMT, 98.7 FM from Chicago.
Show host, Rich Warren grew up in Evanston, Illinois, fascinated by radio. He even operated a radio station from his bedroom with a toy transmitter connected to an illegally long antenna, and was ultimately reprimanded by the FCC. The programming? Classical, folk, and showtunes. His passion flourished into an esteemed career in broadcasting and print media. He is a freelance contributor to newpapers and magazines, and reviews folk music recordings for Sing Out!, the national folk song magazine. He is an active member of the North American Folk Alliance and has served on its board.
