Terri Hemmert

Last updated
Terri Hemmert
Terri Hemmert introducing Mavis Staples IMG 7410.jpg
Terri Hemmert in 2017
Born (1948-04-28) April 28, 1948 (age 76)
Education Elmhurst College (BA)
Occupation(s)Radio personality, musicologist, and educator
Employer93XRT Chicago

Terri Hemmert (born April 28, 1948) is an American radio personality, musicologist, and instructor at Columbia College Chicago. She is a long-term presence at WXRT-FM in Chicago, Illinois where she became the first female drive time host for a rock music station in the Chicago radio market. [1] She is known as an expert on The Beatles and hosts the weekly Breakfast with the Beatles program and has been featured speaker at many Beatles conventions worldwide. [2] [3]

Biography

Hemmert grew up in Piqua, Ohio. As a youth she saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show and was inspired to set her sights on a career as a disc jockey as a potential way to meet her idols. She maintained her interest in pop and rhythm and blues music through her teens and enrolled at Elmhurst College where she wrote for campus publications and worked at the college radio station WRSE; she received a bachelor's degree in Speech in 1970. [4] After a stint as a late-night disc jockey at WCMF in Rochester, New York she returned to the Midwest and, in 1973, joined fledgling progressive rock station WXRT in Chicago as Public Affairs Director and overnight announcer. [5]

Hemmert's career and popularity grew along with that of the station and by 1981 she was the morning drive-time personality for the highly rated station. Hemmert became the regular celebrity host for the Chicago-area Beatlefest beginning in 1979. Also in the late 1970s she began a long association with Columbia College, where she taught music history and radio classes. [6]

Hemmert has been active in social and political causes and sits on the board of directors for The Peace Museum and Facets Multimedia. [7] She has also co-hosted the Chicago Pride Parade. [8]

Hemmert was featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Rock and Radio" exhibit [9] and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago chapter of the Recording Academy. [10]

Terri Hemmert was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2010 for her contributions to the radio medium. It was even of greater significance as she is one of a few female personalities to be bestowed this honor. [11]

Though she has been known for her avid love of The Beatles, Hemmert also lists Roxy Music, Dusty Springfield, Patti Smith, and Marvin Gaye among her other favorite musicians.

In celebration of her 40 years at WXRT, Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a surprise visit to WXRT studios to declare December 18, 2013 "Terri Hemmert Day" in the City of Chicago. [12]

November 3, 2023 was proclaimed Terri Hemmert Day by the Chicago City Council. In addition, the WXRT’s broadcast and production facility changed its name to the Terri Hemmert Studios. [13] [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Symphony Orchestra</span> Orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891, the ensemble has been based in the Symphony Center since 1904 and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. Klaus Mäkelä was named music director-designate in 2024, with his first contractual season to begin in 2027. The orchestra's most recent music director is Riccardo Muti, whose tenure spanned 13 seasons, from 2010 to 2023, and he continues to perform on occasion as director-emeritus. The CSO is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rahm Emanuel</span> American politician and diplomat (born 1959)

Rahm Israel Emanuel is an American politician and diplomat currently serving as United States ambassador to Japan. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives for three terms from 2003 to 2009. He was the White House Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2010 under Barack Obama and served as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019.

Bobby Skafish is a long-time radio personality in the Chicago area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXRT</span> Adult album alternative radio station in Chicago

WXRT, also known as XRT and 93-XRT is an adult album alternative radio station in Chicago, Illinois. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc.

Breakfast with the Beatles is a popular programming segment format on FM radio in cities in the United States. The segment format typically features one or more hours of programing consisting exclusively of music by or related to the Beatles. Several nationally syndicated variations exist as well as many locally produced versions. Once a month, a live version of the Los Angeles broadcast with Chris Carter, though still recorded for radio, is hosted during an actual brunch at the Kobe Steakhouse & Lounge in Seal Beach, California. It is also being broadcast live the last Sunday of the each month, from Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.

David Herbert Wills was an American sportscaster best known as an announcer for the Tampa Bay Rays radio broadcasts. A native of the Chicago area, he was involved in both sports and journalism in high school and college. After a short stint as a college baseball coach, he began covering sporting events on local radio and television, then did play by play radio for a minor league baseball club.

Matt Spiegel a.k.a. 'Max' is a sports talk show host and singer based in Chicago. He served as a host on The Score SportsRadio 670 off and on since 2009. As of 2022, he co-hosts the 'Parkins & Spiegel' show with Danny Parkins and hosts the Sunday morning seasonal baseball show "Hit & Run". He has also serves as a fill-in broadcaster on the Chicago Cubs Radio Network.

Robin Carolle Brantley, known professionally as Robin Robinson, is a longtime Chicago television news anchor best known for her 27 years as main news anchor at Fox-owned WFLD-TV in Chicago. She can now be heard on the radio at WBBM (AM) as a fill-in anchor/reporter and WVON as host of her own show, 'Robin's Nest.'

Billy Dec is a Filipino-American TV personality, background actor, and businessman in the hospitality industries. He is the CEO/Founder of hospitality management company Rockit Ranch, marketing agency COACT, and human resources firm HR Pro. He makes regular television appearances discussing food and entertainment, and his background acting experience includes Friends and Chicago Code. He also hosts a podcast, The Meal of Your Life!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Cassidy</span> American politician

Kelly Cassidy is an American politician from Chicago. She is a Democrat and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. She was appointed to represent the 14th district, on Chicago's North Side, in April 2011 following incumbent Harry Osterman's election to the Chicago City Council. She took office on May 16, 2011. Most notably Kelly Cassidy was the chief sponsor of House Bill 1438, making Illinois the first state to legalize the Adult-Use of Cannabis through legislature as opposed to a ballot measure.

Bridget Gainer is an American politician serving as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from the 10th district. She was appointed to the position in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lin Brehmer</span> American radio host (1954–2023)

Lin Brehmer was an American disc jockey and radio personality at WXRT in Chicago. Brehmer hosted mornings on WXRT from 1991 to 2020, and middays from early 2020 until taking a leave of absence to undergo chemotherapy in 2022.

Dave Fogel is an American classic hits radio disc jockey. He has worked in Chicago, Detroit, Washington D.C., San Diego and Kansas City. The bulk of his radio work has been in Chicago, and he is the current morning show host on 94.7 WLS-FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fest for Beatles Fans</span> American music festival

The Fest for Beatles Fans is a twice-annual, three-day festival that honors the lasting legacy of the Beatles. The festival takes place in the New York metropolitan area, ordinarily in March or April, and in Chicago, Illinois, each August. Running Friday through Sunday, the Fest features special guests, live concerts, exhibits, art contests, a Beatles marketplace, a sound-alike contest, a Battle of the Beatles Bands, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Michaels</span> American rock and roll radio disc jockey

Mitch Michaels is an American rock and roll radio disc jockey. Known for his contributions to many spots on the Chicago radio dial, he is best known for helping start WXRT-FM and for his work at WKQX-FM, WLUP-FM "The Loop" and WCKG-FM in Chicago, Illinois. Michaels has been on the air since his first radio job at WHFS-FM in Bethesda, Maryland in 1968. He most recently was 'Doin The Cruise' in the afternoon on WERV-FM 95.9 "The River" in Aurora, Illinois.

Ellen K. is an American radio personality in the Los Angeles, California market and a television host. She is the host of the Ellen K Radio Show on KOST 103.5 FM, and the nationally-syndicated weekend program Ellen K Weekend Show on iHeartMedia AC-formatted stations like Lite FM in New York and in Chicago. From April 1990 to October 2015 she worked at KOST's sister station 102.7 KIIS-FM, co-hosting the Rick Dees morning show and later the On Air with Ryan Seacrest show. On October 19, 2015, Ellen took over the morning show at KOST after longtime morning host Mark Wallengren moved to afternoons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Coval</span> American poet

Kevin Coval is an American poet. Coval is a Chicago-based writer who is known for exploring topics such as race, hip-hop culture, Chicago history, and Jewish-American identity in his work. He is also known for his appearances in four seasons of the Peabody Award-winning television series Def Poetry Jam on HBO.

Nancy Kaszak is an attorney and former Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives. She was born September 21, 1950, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She attended Elmhurst College, Roosevelt University and Northern Illinois University College of Law.

Anna DeShawn is an American media personality, podcaster, and LGBT advocate. She is best known for founding E3 Radio, a radio station dedicated to playing queer music and reporting on queer news. She is also the founder and CEO of The Qube, a podcast production company that focuses on BIPOC and QTPOC podcasts.

References

  1. ↑ WXRT staff biography
  2. ↑ "Your Chicago: WXRT's Terri Hemmert, The Ultimate Beatles Fan - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. 2014-02-07. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. ↑ "Beatles' 'Get Back' long but worth it". Chicago Sun-Times. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  4. ↑ Santella, Andrew. "Voice of Authority". Prospect. Elmhurst College.
  5. ↑ "Terri Hemmert - 8 to 10AM on Sundays | 93XRT Chicago". www.audacy.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  6. ↑ "Terri Hemmert - Faculty - Academics - Columbia College Chicago". www.colum.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  7. ↑ "Radio legend Terri Hemmert to be at The Acorn on March 5 - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  8. ↑ Wayne, Kevin. "Chicago Celebrates 37th Annual Gay Pride Parade". ChicagoPride.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  9. ↑ Thompson, Bill. "Paul – yes, that one – did more than hold her hand". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  10. ↑ "Legendary Chicago radio personality Terri Hemmert celebrates 50 years at WXRT". NEWS10 ABC. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  11. ↑ "Terri Hemmert". Radio Hall Of Fame. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  12. ↑ "Mayor Rahm Emanuel Declares Terri Hemmert Day In Chicago!". WXRT.
  13. ↑ Ihnat, Gwen (2023-11-09). "Terri Hemmert Looks Back On 50 Years At The Mic At WXRT". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  14. ↑ "Today In Culture, Friday, November 10, 2023: Notre Dame Opens New Art Museum | Ravinia Sues Ravinia | Stoking Up Chicago Fire After Strike Ends | Newcity". 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.