Busy Summer Season Ahead For WTMD
• Baltimore Public Media Triple A 89.7 WTMD/Baltimore kicks off the summer with A) new music leadership; B) the return of its First Thursdays concert series; and C) programming that continues to expand how the station connects listeners to music and community.
Let’s start with Alex Cortright‘s recent appointment as WTMD’s Music Director. Cortright (left) brings decades of experience in music programming, artist interviews, and live music curation to the position, having hosted shows in the region for more than 20 years, including at WTMD since 2015. Cortright also leads artist booking across WTMD’s live platforms, including First Thursdays and Live Lunch.
“WTMD is built for music discovery and for connection, and that’s something I intend to continue growing in this role,” said Cortright. “Whether it’s what listeners hear on-air or experience at First Thursdays and Live Lunch, the goal is to create spaces where people can discover artists, connect with the music, and feel part of something bigger happening in Baltimore.”
WTMD’s First Thursdays returns with a refreshed visual identity created by Baltimore artist Emilee Beeson. The June concert lineup brings together a mix of voices that reflect the spirit of WTMD, with Fantastic Cat headlining, joined by Happy Landing, and Baltimore’s own Seven Teller opening the night.
New programming features include In The Pit with Izzi Bavis, a late-night weekend show dedicated to hardcore and heavier sounds. While Triple A is known for genre blending, dedicated hardcore programming is typically limited to specialty or college stations. In The Pit brings that sound into WTMD’s lineup, reflecting both the diversity of today’s music landscape and the station’s commitment to expanding what music discovery can sound like.
“Part of WTMD’s identity has always been making room for passionate music fans and the sounds they care about, even when they fall outside traditional format lines,” said Maxie Jackson, Program Director at Baltimore Public Media. “In The Pit brings a different energy to the station, and that willingness to explore and take creative risks is a huge part of what keeps WTMD exciting.”
“These updates reflect how we continue to build on what makes WTMD special,” said Craig Swagler, President & CEO of Baltimore Public Media. “We’re investing in music discovery and live experiences in ways that bring people together, not just in Baltimore, but across the greater Maryland region.”
