David Dye
David Dye is a longtime Philadelphia radio personality whose music enthusiasm has captivated listeners of World Cafe® since 1991. World Cafe is produced by WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dye launched his distinguished broadcasting career as host of a progressive music show on WMMR 93.3 FM, a pioneering progressive rock station in Philadelphia. During his four-year tenure, Dye won accolades for his taste and laid back presentation. After a five-year stint programming radio stations in Maine, he returned to Philadelphia where he gained public radio experience at WHYY before being recruited in 1981 by alternative rock station WIOQ 102.1 FM where he made his mark on the music scene for nearly a decade.
In 1989, Dye took his musical quest to WXPN where he hosted the station's Sleepy Hollow radio program. Two years later, Dye was asked to spearhead research on the viability of a new public radio program. The research revealed an audience need for a new kind of musical format - one that was intelligent, diverse and would give musical guests a showcase for their artistic expression. Based on the findings, Dye went to work to create a unique program of musical discovery where listeners would be introduced to an eclectic blend of contemporary sounds from legendary and up-and-coming artists. World Cafe was born.
Dye is the founding host of World Cafe, which launched in 1991. During his tenure as host, Dye brought out the best in interviews with internationally known artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Joni Mitchell. He conducted nearly 4,500 interviews during his over 20 years with the program. In 2017 Dye took on a new role as contributing host with the program.
World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards including: two NFCB Gold Reel Awards, Album Network's "Best Triple A Air Talent," five Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly Awards," the Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS "Hero Award," the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and numerous radio industry trade magazine citations. In 2006, Dye was named the "Triple A Air Personality of the Year" by Radio & Records.
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The rock group continues its engaging discussion with comedy director and producer Judd Apatow in the final installment of a two-part broadcast interview. -
In the first installment of a two-part interview, the rock veterans sit down with comedy mastermind Judd Apatow to discuss the creative process behind making their new album, Lightning Bolt. -
The music of Seu Jorge occupies a singular place in today's Brazil. His songs recall the traditional songwriting of Tom Jobim and Caetano Veloso, but his style, and his background, lead many to call Jorge a hero of life on Rio's streets. -
Hear the band perform a stripped-down session, recorded at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. -
Dozens of new bands stopped by WXPN's Philadelphia studios in 2011, and World Cafe host David Dye witnessed them all. Hear the host's top five performances by emerging artists and download a song from each session. -
Mae's style exudes compelling natural sweetness that simply calls for attention. The great-grand-niece of Judy Garland, she found that music always seemed to come naturally to her. In a session from WXPN, Mae performs songs from The Happiest Lamb.
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Cheery melodies, colorful lyrics and acoustic arrangements have earned the folk-rock band favorable comparisons to Modest Mouse and The Shins. Led by guitarist, pianist and singer Eric Johnson, Fruit Bats' members have developed a reputation for forward-thinking music.
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At any given point in 2009, World Cafe host David Dye's Top 10 list would inevitably look different. So consider this a snapshot — and otherwise subject to change at any time. Some picks won't be new to most readers, but others qualify as left-field musical discoveries.
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With 98 songs, the Memphis group's new box set (Keep an Eye on the Sky) is a definitive collection of Big Star's early-'70s recordings. It sets the record straight about a massively influential group that inspired some of rock's biggest stars. From now until its release on Sept. 15, you can stream the box set's remarkable first disc (26 songs) in its entirety.
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From his haunted guitar to his hobo history to his lighthearted outlook, Seasick Steve is the real deal. This episode of World Cafe offers a close look at one of America's dyed-in-the-wool bluesmen, though he prefers to be called a "song-and-dance man" instead.
