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.
-
The not-so-thin Duke chatted about Berlin, glam rock and how a boring suburban childhood pushed him to seek out new ideas. -
Hear performances from Scottish instrumental trio Talisk, Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon and a two song set from the bilingual, Texas-based singer-songwriter Gina Chavez. -
The legendary guitarist turns our studio into a bluesman's front porch in Como, Mississippi. -
Mrubata speaks on how jazz was impacted by apartheid and where he sees the genre going now.
-
The young Atlanta-based artist has an old soul — key word, "soul." Hear a performance of songs from his new album, Face Your Fear. -
Bootsy in the house, baby! The great bassist performs tunes from World Wide Funk, his first album in six years. -
Hear the Floridian blues musician perform music from his latest record, Pick Your Poison, live with his band in the World Cafe studio. -
The bluesman and producer-drummer Steve Jordan discuss the record they made at Royal Studios, birthplace of Al Green's hits. Plus, hear a live performance featuring original members of Hi Rhythm. -
Fifty years ago, the Jimi Hendrix Experience made about as tremendous a first impression as it gets with Are You Experienced? — but here are several more debuts that stack up. -
David Dye, who steps down as full-time host of World Cafe this week, lists his favorite records that have come out during the program's 25 years on air.
