About Mary Dixon
Mary Dixon is a Chicago native who had to take the long way home. Not long after her birth at Loretto Hospital on the West Side, Mary’s parents packed the family up for their ancestral home of Dixon, Illinois. It was there that she quit a career as a very bad waitress to begin spinning records and reading hog reports for WIXN Radio.
It was at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb that she first caught a glimpse of Lin Brehmer, in a Playgirl Magazine feature on America’s Sexiest DJ’s. She has been laughing at him ever since. After earning journalism degrees at NIU and the University of Illinois-Springfield, Mary returned to the city of her birth and WXRT in 1991. As a reporter for XRT, she has won AP and Lisagor honors for investigative, business and features stories.
Mary started working on the morning show in 1993. She left for a while in the mid-90s to work on WGN-TV and CNN. Then she came back, and then she left for a while to make and tend babies. They were all experiences of learning and growth, which would also explain the extra 20 pounds.
Mary lives with her husband, Mark Caro, and their two daughters.
Q&A With Mary Dixon!
#1 Most Asked Question by listeners: What time do you get up in the morning?
A: 3:40 a.m.
#2 Most Asked Question: Why not 3:30?
A: I like to sleep in a little.
#3 Most Asked Question: How do you put up with Brehmer?
A: When someone makes you laugh so much, it’s tough to whack him upside the head *too* hard.
Q: If you couldn’t do this, what would you do?
A: I always wanted to be an author, but it turns out I’m a much better reader. My other job is being a housewife. I can always fall back on that.
Q: Didn’t your husband write a book?
A: Why, yes, he did, thank you for asking. It’s called “The Foie Gras Wars,” and for a book about the argument over fatty duck liver, it’s awfully funny.
Jeffrey L. Wiseman
November 18, 2010 5:36 pm
I enjoy WXRT, obviously, as I listen to it every morning with the exception of really bad weather. Then I hit the other band and listen to your sister station, WBBM-AM.
What I don’t enjoy is when people charged with reporting news, as Mary does every day, feel the need to editorialize certain topics. Especially, the socially unpopular ones.
I have known for many years, and I am 39, that most people don’t really have a clue on what it means to live in America. In short, it is the combination of free markets, democracy and capitalism. No question, this is a delicate stew.
I smoke. I CHOOSE to smoke (let’s cut out all the “addiction” shit here). And I realize that as more and more people are around less and less smoke, they simply can’t handle it. I wish I had the liberties when it came for foreigners, immigrants, minorities, women, etc.
Point here is if you care to mention to the listeners that today is the Great American Smoke Out, cool. If it was the White Males Are Number One day or the Suburban Mommies Are The Best day, just as well. Equal time for equal causes. But please, don’t act like douche bag Jason Thomas and insert unnecessary and irrelevant comments about how those who smoke smell like ashtrays. I don’t belittle you because you choose to read words off a piece a paper for a living. You know better than that.
Mary Dixon
November 18, 2010 5:57 pm
Jeffrey, people who smoke DO smell like ashtrays. It’s a fact. I know this because I used to smoke. So when I discuss the Great American Smokeout, and I point out that you smell like an ashtray, and that you’re putting yourself on the road to a slow and painful death, I am not belittling your choice. I am telling you the truth. If it makes you feel defensive, that is also your choice.
For anyone reconsidering their death spiral with the cancer sticks, here’s a link to the Great American Smokeout.
Also, please don’t call my colleagues douchebags. It’s rude.
S Messenger
November 20, 2010 9:58 am
Point well taken. Why should DJs have the same liberties as the common man smoking on a corner blowing smoke in everyone’s face. They are paid civil servants, who should broadcast the facts, not their own socially relevant, or not so if you are a republican, comments.
S. Bunch
January 22, 2011 12:07 pm
I’m a big fan of Mary’s – the day I heard she was coming back a few years ago I cheered out loud, jumped and screamed out YEAH!!! Which made the people around me look over and wonder what the heck was the matter with me, since I was on my morning commute.
I had to smile at these comments. Smokers have the right to smoke, subject to a few reasonable restrictions since it’s unhealthy for others nearby, and to justify it to themselves any way they want. All of us have the right to think whatever we want of people who smoke, and as long as it’s not untrue, to say it out loud. Now THAT’s a combination of free markets, democracy, and capitalism. Oh, no, actually, no it’s not, that’s just democracy and free speech. The free markets and capitalism comes in when Mary exercises her rights on the air — if it costs XRT listeners, it’s bad capitalism. But hey, it’s a free market! You can go listen somewhere else!
Anyone who thinks that news reporters need to be limited to the truth, with no editorializing or injection of personal viewpoints, should go here and do their part for free markets, democracy, and capitalism:
http : // foxnewsboycott . com/
Jim Blaha
January 24, 2011 1:36 pm
As a loyal listener since 1973, I enjoy Mary’s skills as well as her personality. She has a good sense of aesthetics which guide her in her insertions of subjective concepts…but I usually agree with them anyway! Plus, she has great taste in music!
Santino Corleone
February 14, 2011 7:49 am
Mary, I was surprised to hear you inject J.C. in this mornings show…
Chery
May 31, 2011 2:45 am
Hey Mary, Just got to thank you and Lin for getting me through the roughest year of my life….but Terri took care of my first….she nursed me through job loss, lung disease diagnosis, eviction and then homelessness….I came back on top only to get brutally raped and left for dead….but like a good neighbor, XRT and the Lin and Mary show nursed me back from the dead in the hospital and through this last year. I just celebrated my “Year” anniversary on the 3rd……..Met my boyfriend four days after I was discharged and drag him to any and all xrt events that he can actually be coerced into getting off his lazy boy for………LOVE YOU GUYS>>> Keep making me laugh and smile, will you???????? Lots of love from your home girl and boy in the West Loop!!!
Erin Dunphy
September 16, 2011 9:44 am
Hi Mary,
I have been listening to you and LIn for years now, and I just realized you went to U of I -Springfield as I did. I graduated in 87 when it was still “Sangamon State” – I changed the diploma immediately! I worked at WYMG from 87-90, and loved it. Do you remember the station? Anyway, didn’t realize anyone else knew of U of I – Springfield. Enjoy your weekend.
Mary Dixon
September 16, 2011 10:52 am
I do remember, Erin! And every time I have to write up my ancient past, I hesitate before putting down U of I instead of Sangamon State. (Oooold habits die hard, I guess.) Either way, the PAR program was a fantastic journalism training ground, and Charlie Wheeler is carrying on the tradition in fine fashion.