Tom Marker is Retiring in December!

WDCB blues host and Chicago radio legend Tom Marker is announcing his retirement after more than 50 years on the air. Marker’s weekly Saturday night “Blues Time” program has been a mainstay of WDCB’s 11-hour Saturday night blues lineup for more a decade. Since joining WDCB as a blues host in 2015, Marker’s monthly “WDCB Bluesday Tuesday” live concert broadcasts from FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn have also been wildly popular with local blues fans.

Marker’s retirement will cap off a legendary career in Chicago radio, which began in 1975 at WJKL “The Fox” in Elgin. Moving to Chicago’s WXRT in 1980, he gained prominence during his four decades of work as one of the station’s beloved rock hosts. But it was his weekly “Blues Breakers” program on WXRT, beginning in 1984, that truly cemented his legacy as one of Chicago’s most notable champions of the city’s working blues musicians. Marker brought his love for the blues to WDCB in January 2015, where his 2-hour “Blues Time” program has been a Saturday night audience favorite ever since. 

“Years ago, I imagined myself retiring at 65,” says Marker. “But the past 11 years of my career have been a lot of fun with very little wear and tear on me. I love my job, but I just don’t want to work anymore. I’ll begin 2026 with a birthday that makes me 75 years old, so I think that’s a pretty good time to hang up the headphones.” 

Marker will host his final “Blues Time” on Saturday, December 13. Catch the show from 7 to 9pm on WDCB 90.9FM, streaming on WDCB.org, or via the WDCB App (or however you normally listen).

“It almost goes without saying that Tom’s Blues Time program was a big boost to our blues lineup, but when Tom joined the WDCB team in 2015, it was truly exciting for all of us here,” says WDCB Station Manager Dan Bindert. “He’s not only a consummate professional and an excellent radio host, he’s just a great guy who brings people together. The musicians truly love him! And I’ve had so much fun getting to work with Tom on the Bluesday Tuesday live broadcasts every month.”

WDCB’s monthly Bluesday Tuesday concert series at FitzGerald’s will continue its regular monthly schedule of events in 2026, but Marker will emcee his Bluesday Tuesday finale, featuring Chicago bluesman Billy Branch (pictured below), on December 2. 

FitzGerald’s owner Will Duncan says “Tom Marker taught me damn near everything I know about the Chicago Blues scene, and for that I’m eternally grateful. While he may be taking a well-deserved step back from the microphone, I know he'll remain an important leader in this close-knit Chicago blues community, which FitzGerald’s is proud to be a small part of.”

“I’m looking forward to letting someone else handle the Bluesday Tuesday planning and hosting in the future while I party with the regulars,” says Marker. “See you out there!”

Beginning in January 2026, Scott “Hambone” Hammer will take over the duties of hosting WDCB’s monthly Bluesday Tuesday at FitzGerald’s. Also in January 2026, Leslie Keros’ “Mood Indigo” blues program will expand from one to two hours, and Doug Curry’s “Blacks & Blues” will also expand to two hours.

WDCB thanks photographer Alan Frohlichstein for his many contributions to WDCB, including the pictures used in the article.