World Cafe Saturdays at 11 AM

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World Cafe

Hosted by David Dye, Produced by WXPN, Distributed by NPR

Since 1991, World Cafe, has emerged as the premier public radio showcase for contemporary music serving up an eclectic blend that includes blues, rock, world, folk, and alternative country. This two-hour program is nationally syndicated to more than 165 markets including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

The show is hosted by long-time Philadelphia radio personality David Dye.  A passionate music enthusiast, Dye takes listeners on a unique journey of musical discovery as he presents a mix of music from both new and legendary artists.  Live performances and intimate interviews with Dye's musical guests highlight each show. The show's guest roster has included Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Dave Matthews, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, Dolly Parton, The Shins, Lucinda Williams, Paul McCartney, Ani Difranco, Damien Rice, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, REM, Rachael Yamagata, David Byrne, Yo Yo Ma, Billy Joel, Lyle Lovett, Bela Fleck, Moby, Taj Mahal, and Coldplay, among hundreds of others.

World Cafe, also serves up segments on music as pop culture and periodically features interviews with authors, critics, playwrights, historians, and television and movie personalities.

The rising popularity of World Cafe, has inspired the recent creation of a state-of-the-art performance venue and restaurant that is independently-owned and operated in the same restored historic site where World Cafe is produced.

World Cafe is produced by WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania and distributed nationally by National Public Radio (NPR).

Photo Credit: Elena Bouvier

David Dye, NPR Biography

Host, World Cafe

David Dye's long and distinguished career in broadcasting began humbly at Swarthmore College's radio station on the first day of his freshman year. His career in commercial radio started early one Sunday morning on Philadelphia's WMMR 93.3, a pioneering progressive rock station where he continued to win accolades for his taste and laid back presentation for four post-college years. After a jaunt to Maine, he returned to Philadelphia, gathering experience in public radio at WHYY before moving to WIOQ 102.1, where for a decade he was part of the '80s most forward-leaning station.

In 1990, Dye finally landed at his true radio home the University of Pennsylvania's WXPN, where he helped in the initial development of what became the nationally syndicated World Cafe. Every week, Dye brings out the best in interviews with artists as internationally known as Yo-Yo Ma and Joni Mitchell. He introduces a half-million listeners each week to newcomers like Damien Rice, My Morning Jacket, and Coldplay on over 165 public radio stations.

World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards over the past 10 years, including two NFCB Gold Reel Awards, four Philadelphia Magazine Best of Philly Awards, numerous radio industry trade magazine citations, and in 2002, the Philadelphia chapter of NARAS Hero Award. He has consistently been nominated yearly for the Radio and Records Personality of the Year.

Dye is a resident of Philadelphia where he lives with his wife, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Karen Heller, and their two children.