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 French band Nouvelle Vague takes classic New Wave singles from the '80s and adds a Brazilian twist — courtesy of the other "new wave": bossa nova. What began as a project between producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux has expanded to include the efforts of eight female singers, each with their own style.
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Renowned Texas musician Charlie Sexton has been hailed for his amazing guitar talent since his youth. His newest album, Cruel and Gentle Things, combines autobiographical experiences and impressionistic imagery. -
Filmmaker Cameron Crowe discusses the deep musical connections in his movies. Evidence of the care that goes into the director's soundtracks can be seen in Elizabethtown, Crowe's latest release. -
Singer, composer and guitarist Raul Midon straddles many genres — and creates some new ones — on his latest album, State of Mind. Through it all, he injects a rousing optimism into the grooves of his music.
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The music of Icelandic band Sigur Ros music has often been compared to the vast and dreamy landscape of their homeland. Its sound, sparse and yet sweeping, imparted visions of endless snowfields broken only by glaciers and the occasional volcano.
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Seattle-based singer and songwriter Laura Veirs has released a new album, Year of Meteors. It's the follow-up to 2004's Carbon Glacier, which was hailed as a masterful blend of pop, folk and country.
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The alt-country band the Knitters is led by John Doe and Exene Cervenka — who also front X, the legendary punk band. Their first album release in 20 years includes country-fried versions of X songs along with classics popularized by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
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Roger Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd, has released an opera about the French Revolution. The album is based on Etienne Roda-Gil's original French libretto.
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The Kronos Quartet has just completed an album of Bollywood film music, You've Stolen My Heart, featuring the vocals of Asha Bhosle. A superstar of Indian film, Bhosle is among the biggest-selling recording artists of all time.
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Vocalist Lizz Wright debuted in 2003 with Salt, an eclectic mix of traditional jazz, R&B, and folk. Her latest album is Dreaming Wide Awake, featuring originals along with some covers — including a version of Neil Young's "Old Man."
