Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chicago

Subject: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chi
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 01:10 AM

RAY NORDSTRAND ---the legendary long time head of WFMT-FM radio in Chicago, passed away this Saturday morning, August 27, 2005, after a long and slow health decline. He was 77. This radio station, beside being the premier classical prgramming station in the nation, made room for folk music to also be a centerpiece of it's programming with it's long running program called The Midnight Special. This fine mostly folk show was hosted by Ray Nordstrand and Norm Pellegrini for thirty years in our city. Rich Warreen now is the host of that program. This show made it actually possible for so many of us to lead decades-long continuing viable lives being folksingers !!!

People, as I wrote that last sentence, I was struck by the nearly total absurdity of it---but nevertheless, Ray Nordstrand and Norm Pellegrini and Studs Terkel, by providing us with their grand megaphone, made all of that an actual historical fact.

RAY NORDSTRAND was a giant part of my musical life, and I will most certainly miss his being here. If you go to www.chicagotribune.com I'm sure you will find a good reminiscence and obituary for Ray. Right now I just don't have the words to say all that I felt about this good man...

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chi
From: GUEST,Stephen L. Rich
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 01:56 AM

Ray will be sorely missed. I only had the good fortune to meet him twice. He was always gracious, kind and respectful of all. Listening to him on the Midnight Special helped to form the foundation of my musical sensibilities. The world is the poorer for his passing.

Stephen Lee Rich

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chi
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 09:54 AM

I was raised listening to the Midnight Special, so Ray certainly had a big role in fostering my taste in folk music. As a grade school kid, I was listening for the comedy routines and got suckered in to really liking the music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chi
From: GUEST,Guest: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 04:57 PM

I spoke with Rich Warren yesterday (Saturday) at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. I could tell that Rich was not his usual jovial self when we started talking, and he told me what had happened. Rich said me that Ray was a mentor to him and that Ray hired him back in 1972. Rich said that next week's program will be a tribute to Ray. WFMT can be heard (by subscription) at www.wfmt.com.   The Midnight Special is also syndicated on a number of radio stations and can be heard on XM Radio.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chi
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 05:29 PM

For awhile Ray, Norm, and Rich alternated hosting the Special. Each host had distinctive tastes and senses of humor, so it was fun to know who was hosting and what kind of unpredictable hilarity to anticipate.

A real nice man, by all accounts. Maybe he can help us dial Rick Fielding in a little better now-- and others-- hosting the live feed from heaven.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chicago
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 29 Aug 05 - 12:22 PM

Ray (and Norm) played lots of local music. There was a bin at Rose Records that had the playlist posted every Monday and most of the lp's that were played - an early version of the internet!!
Ray, Norm and then Rich did a great job, but Chicago also owes a great debt to Emily Friedman and the others who put out Come For To Sing - I doubt there ever was such a supportive time for new music and local performers - I'm as nostalgic as the next folkie, but I don't think this is hype. I remember how great it was when CFTS published the chords and lyrics for The Dutchman - this was probably before it was ever released on vinyl. I am sure like many, it just wasn't possible to get to the folk clubs or the Old Town School, so Ray and Emily kept it going in a great way.
Rest in peace, Ray - great job!!
Chris in Wheaton
p.s. Don't forget the Fox Valley Folk Fest this weekend, it still carries on the tradition!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ray Nordstrand--folk radio legend in Chicago
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Aug 05 - 03:30 PM

Very well put, Chris. Looking forward to the festival myself.