WORT Music Playlists

What was that song I heard? Who was the artist, what is the album title, where can I get it? Where can I find the entire playlist for a show?

Click on the Playlists button to bring up a calendar where you can choose any date to find the playlists for that day. If you can’t find the right playlist or the song you’re looking for, your best bet is to call the station the next time that program’s on and ask the host yourself. If that’s not possible we may be able to help you, but please have as much information as possible at hand when you contact us, such as: approximate day and time the music was played, what type or genre of music it was, who hosted the show and any other information you remember about the selection and we’ll do our best to track it down.

Once you figure it out, there’s a “Buy It!” link next to each track in online playlists that leads you to a place where you can buy songs and albums, and by doing it that way a small portion of each purchase goes to support WORT.

Contact Information

Music Director: Sybil Augustine – musicdirector@wortfm.org (for music submissions, charts and tracking, promotional exchanges for music events and following up on volunteer applications or other requests. Please include specifics in your subject line, such as “Hiphop Music Submission” etc, )

Music Assistant: Aaron Scholz – musicass@wortfm.org (for record donations and sales, promos recording volunteers, etc.)

Music Calendars: Submit your events online here or send by email to calendar@wortfm.org

How do I get my music played on WORT?

We accept submissions in most genres and styles of music, focusing on noncommercial, out-of-the-mainstream, independent releases (check out our playlists and music charts for more information.) It may take up to a few weeks for us to review and process your submission so we appreciate your patience, and feel free to contact us to follow up. Please send your music, indicating any tracks with language that needs to be aired after 10 pm and including a one-sheet description and any biographical and tour information, to WORT Music Director, 118 S. Bedford St, Madison, WI 53703 and/or to musicdirector@wortfm.org.

We do accept digital files on .wav or mp3, but currently we still prefer CDs to digital submissions because it’s the quickest way to get it into the hands of our programmers and onto the airwaves, though we have a growing digital library. Digital submissions should be .wav or other lossless files, or high quality mp3s [128-320 kbps.]

You can follow up or “track” your submissions by email, or call 608-256-2001 on Wednesdays between 1-4 pm CST to ask if we received it, has it been reviewed, has it been added to our library, and what kind of airplay it’s getting—e.g. light, medium, heavy or charting. Thanks and we look forward to hearing your music!

Journeys into Jazz

Alternating hosts Elton and Chuck carry on in the tradition of former host Gary Alderman, who was a jazz historian and a great source of discographical and discological information.

Johnny Mercer on Journeys Into Jazz

November 17, 2020 by Music Department

For November 18th’s Journeys into Jazz from 2-5p, host Chuck France celebrates the birthday of songwriter Johnny Mercer, a favorite among jazz singers and instrumentalists. He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Oscar nominations, and won four Best Original Song Oscars. Mercer teamed […]

Journeys into Jazz celebrates Charlie Parker

August 18, 2020 by Chuck France

Tune into Journeys into Jazz on Wednesday afternoon for a Charlie “Bird” Parker centennial tribute. The bebop pioneer was born on August 29th, 1920 and is renowned as one of the most important musicians in the development of jazz. Journeys into Jazz kicks off with a few of Bird’s early recordings, the 78s: Parker with […]

Seeking Volunteer Jazz Host!

September 6, 2019 by Sybil Augustine

We’re looking for the perfect jazz collector, historian and fan to host on Wednesdays from 2-5 pm. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 6. WORT’s afternoon jazz shows are legendary, and Wednesdays are no exception. The recent tragic loss of longtime host Gary Alderman has left a gap that can never truly be filled, […]

Please Share Your Memories of DJ Gary Alderman

July 24, 2019 by Sybil Augustine

For 35 years Gary Alderman hosted Journeys Into Jazz Wednesdays from 2-5 pm on WORT. Read more about the history of this beloved icon of Madison jazz and dedicated radio volunteer, and share your own memories of Gary using the form at the bottom. Channel 3 did a news story about Gary and WORT. This […]

Nasty NYE at Alchemy with Nuggernaut

December 21, 2018 by WORT 89.9FM

Join Nuggernaut to ring in the new year and help benefit the greatest radio station in the land, WORT FM!!! The party starts at 11pm (music at 11:30), with a complimentary champagne toast at Midnight! Special guests scheduled to perform with Nugg: – Anitra Hovelson from H2 – Hannah Larson from Bird’s Eye – Robin […]

Jazzin’ with Gary Alderman

September 13, 2017 by WORT 89.9FM and Journeys Into Jazz

Gary Alderman has been hosting WORT’s Journeys Into Jazz program for the past 35 years (!) He’s been a DJ for the last 37 years. Gary is also a jazz historian and sells rare and out-of-print jazz vinyl and publications. He has over 60,000 jazz LPs and 8,000 jazz CDs in his collection. Find out […]

Now Playing

WORT Music Playlists

Contact Information

How do I get my music played on WORT?

Wisconsin Senate passes election legislation

Transparency Talk: Can you records request a records request?

Franks: “Farmwork Modernization Act” works against farm wo...

Poet Jasmine Mans on Writing the “Black Girl Bible”

Immigration support tour comes to Wisconsin

Scott Lehmann on Fitchburg City Council Race

Undecided? Learn about the Candidates for Governor on Aug 8

Dane County DA Defends Record, Elected Seat