Terri Hemmert achieved a milestone on Friday November 3rd: 50 years at WXRT. A weekend of celebration began with Terri joining Marty Lennartz on the morning show. There she learned that the Chicago City Council proclaimed Friday November 3rd, 2023 Terri Hemmert Day in the City of Chicago. The proclamation was read by legendary broadcaster Bill Kurtis. WXRT's broadcast and production studios were renamed the Terri Hemmert Studios.
Over several weeks, listeners were asked to submit their stories on What Terri Hemmert Means to You. Many were read on the air throughout the day accompanied by songs selected by Terri. A Lin's Bin titled What does it take to be a Terri Hemmert on the radio? was replayed for the first time in several years.
The evening was rounded out with a special presentation of Live From The XRT Concert Archives. Mavis Staples recorded at the Old Town School of Folk Music on November 28, 2004.
The following day, Saturday November 4, Terri hosted Saturday Morning Flashback. From 9 a.m. till noon, Terri captured 1973’s spirit through music, memories and shared experiences.
On Sunday November 5, Breakfast With The Beatles featured the just-released Beatles song “Now And Then.” The song is the final new Beatles song and the first song to feature John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr recorded together as The Beatles since 1970’s Let It Be.
Ann Sather’s on Belmont, one of Terri's favorite Chicago restaurants, offered a free homemade cinnamon roll to the first 93 people to mention Terri Hemmert's name.
50th anniversary placards featuring Terri's 20 essential albums were available at Laurie’s Planet of Sound in Lincoln Square. Terri autographed a limited number of these commemorative collectibles.
Piece Pizza in Wicker Park debuted a signature pizza inspired by Terri. The All You Needs Is Piece and Love pizza, available through November 30th, is a red pizza with tangy red sauce, mozzarella, aged Pecorino Romano, Italian sausage, garlic, green peppers, and ricotta cheese. $5 from every pizza benefits Changing Worlds.
