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 Los Angeles reggae and soul collective is set to release This Generation in February. Hear two of the album's best songs in this edition of World Cafe: Next. -
This poppy folk band brings a fresh perspective to the Memphis music scene. Listen to a performance and interview with the group, recorded at Ardent Studios. -
The last stop on our "Sense of Place" tour of Memphis is American Sound Studio, which churned out hits by Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin and many more. Listen to an interview with Ben Vaughn, a member of the American Sound house band, The Memphis Boys. -
The popular Memphis rock band is featured in this installment of "Sense of Place." Listen to a stripped-down set from Lucero, recorded live at Ardent Recording Studios.
-
Our "Sense of Place" spotlight on Memphis wouldn't be complete without visiting Ardent Studios, where the power-pop royalty in Big Star recorded three albums. We speak with the group's drummer, Jody Stephens, who still runs the studio. -
Hear interviews with the spokesman of Elvis Presley Enterprises and The King's daughter, Lisa Marie.
-
As part of World Cafe's week-long exploration of the Memphis music scene, we've dug up an interview with two local legends from Booker T. & The M.G.'s.
-
In 2003, David Dye interviewed Stax Records' best-selling artist, the late Isaac Hayes of Shaft fame. As part of this week's "Sense of Place" series on Memphis, Tenn., hear the Hayes interview in its entirety. -
In the first stop from World Cafe's Sense of Place series on Memphis, Tenn., David Dye speaks with It Came From Memphis author Robert Gordon and Stax Museum curator Levon Williams.
-
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.
