Folk Music Host Marilyn Rea Beyer Celebrates 50 Years on Air

WFMT's "The Midnight Special" host inducted into Folk DJ Hall of Fame

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:00am

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Marilyn Rea Beyer, the longtime host of WFMT's folk music program "The Midnight Special," is celebrating 50 years on the air. Beyer, who was recently inducted into the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Hall of Fame, has had a storied career in arts education, public relations, and radio, including a long stint hosting the popular "Live at Noon" show on Boston's WUMB-FM.

Why it matters

Beyer's induction into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame and her longevity on the air highlight the enduring popularity of folk music and the important role that radio personalities play in introducing listeners to new artists and preserving the folk music tradition. As a champion of folk music for decades, Beyer has helped to nurture the careers of countless musicians and engaged with a passionate audience of folk music fans.

The details

Beyer first got her start in radio as a junior high school student, emceeing concerts for her school's band. She later became a devoted listener of WFMT's "The Midnight Special" as a teenager in Chicago. After careers in arts education and public relations, Beyer joined Boston's WUMB-FM in 1995, where she hosted the daily "Live at Noon" show and conducted over 1,000 artist interviews. She returned to Chicago in 2020 to join WFMT as the host of "The Midnight Special" and "Folkstage."

  • Beyer first got her start in radio as a junior high school student in the 1970s.
  • Beyer joined Boston's WUMB-FM in 1995.
  • Beyer returned to Chicago in 2020 to join WFMT.
  • Beyer was inducted into the 2023 Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Hall of Fame.

The players

Marilyn Rea Beyer

The longtime host of WFMT's folk music program "The Midnight Special" and recent inductee into the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Hall of Fame.

WFMT

A classical and folk music radio station in Chicago, Illinois.

WUMB-FM

A public radio station in Boston, Massachusetts that specializes in folk music programming.

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What they’re saying

“Judicious risk-taking, nurturing artists, falling in love with new music, and engaging with the lively Folkstage audience make the job fun.”

— Marilyn Rea Beyer, Host, The Midnight Special and Folkstage

What’s next

Beyer plans to continue hosting "The Midnight Special" and "Folkstage" on WFMT, introducing listeners to new folk artists and celebrating the enduring appeal of the genre.

The takeaway

Marilyn Rea Beyer's induction into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame and her 50-year career in radio highlight the vital role that passionate and dedicated radio personalities play in preserving and promoting folk music for generations of listeners.