Diaspora Archives - WORT 89.9 FM

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!

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.

On the line with folk singer Steve Forbert

January 11, 2020 by Chali Pittman

Diaspora host Terry O’ caught up with folk singer Steve Forbert before his show at The Winnebago in Madison. Originally aired Thursday, January 9th.

An Interview With Tabla Master Zakir Hussain

October 3, 2019 by Music Department

Listen to this exclusive WORT interview with Zakir Hussain, considered by many to be the world’s greatest tabla player. Originally from India and now living in California, Hussain talks with WORT DJ Jeff Spitzer-Resnick about the many musicians he has collaborated with including Mickey Hart, Carlos Santana, and John McLaughlin. Hussain performs in Madison on […]

Exclusive Interview – Dobet Gnahore in Madison

August 15, 2019 by Music Department

Multi-talented Ivory Coast artist Dobet Gnahore took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Jeff Spitzer-Resnick on Diaspora Thursday morning. Hear them chat about Madison, touring, parenthood and more in this exclusive interview! Dobet returns to Madison for three performances, starting with 2 sets at the final Sessions At McPike Park on Thursday […]

Mal-O-Dua on Diaspora

April 26, 2019 by Music Department

Madison’s hottest slack key duo Mal-O-Dua stopped by Diaspora on Thursday April 25. The pair are doing multiple release shows for their new CD “Au Nouveau Chat Noir.” Enjoy this encore performance!

Not Your Traditional Christmas Music

December 20, 2017 by A Musical Offering

Bob Kaspar spins Christmas music for Scrooges and curmudgeons on the Winter Solstice, Thursday, Dec 21 from 9 am to Noon. Tune in for a light-hearted escape from the burdensome traditions and bloated commercialism. Bob, also known as “The Folk Anarchist” and “The Tall Guy,” formerly hosted the Tuesday morning folk show on WORT for […]

Antique Aloha – Vintage Hawaiian Music Special from original 78 ...

May 15, 2017 by Diaspora

On Thursday, May 18 at 10 am, Chris Ruppenthal (renowned string player for local bands such as Mal-O-Dua) will join Terry O’ for thirty minutes of Hawaiian music played from Chris’ collection of rare 78 rpm recordings.

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Contact Information

How do I get my music played on WORT?

WORT Music Playlists

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