The citizens of Madison, and throughout the rest of the planet, owe a huge debt of gratitude to Connie Phair, Mayor Dave's executive assistant. Phair, prodded by a certain local weekly newspaper columnist (see "Madison Seeks Mo-Better [Music]," 8/22/08 and "Send in Your Songs," 10/3/08), has succeeded at long last in replacing the godawful hold music on the city's phone system with an array of delightful ditties by local musicians.
Callers now hear a continuously playing loop of 18 songs, some about Madison. The new system went live a week ago, shortly after Phair relates that the mayor "cracked the whip on me" to complete the project. But lacking time to listen to music at work, she says, "I sequestered myself at home over the weekend to get it done." Bless her heart.
For a list of songs and artists, see the document in the related downloads at right. Phair says the city is "always accepting new songs."