Photo
Credit: Elena Bouvier
David
Dye, NPR Biography
Host,
Conversations from the 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.
