10 Questions with ... David Dye

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started working at WMMR when I was still in college. Very lucky! Went full-time until 1974, when I moved to Maine to work in radio. Back to WIOQ with Helen Leicht in the '80s. Did the Friday Flashback then started working at WXPN in 1991.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Always was as far back as I remember. Got interested in music, realized that I was talent deficient and decided to pursue radio from college on.

2. How did the concept of The World Cafe come together?

It came from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting, which had an initiative to find younger more diverse audiences for public radio. They gave WXPN a grant to develop a show that became The World Cafe.

3. Was it conceived as a show to be syndicated from the beginning?

Absolutely ... we started with four stations and WXPN.

4. How has the format of the show evolved over the past 25 years?

We've moved special features in and out and tweaked the music, but for better or worse it's stayed kind of the same.

5. As you celebrate 25 years and pass the hosting baton to Talia Sclanger, what thoughts are going through your mind?

That I have held the show back for 25 years and Talia will let it soar. What a talent.

6. Obviously you have interviewed thousands of acts, but do any stand out as extra-special to you?

Really liked talking to Joni Mitchell. But there is a surprise every week.

7. What will you being doing - if anything - for World Cafe?

Talia and I will get together once a week to talk music and some happening issues in the music biz, and I am scheduled to do one interview a week

8. You are going to continue with some specialty shows at WXPN, right?

Yes ... get ready for Dave's World! One hour of tunes from the deepest recesses of my Spotify playlist and my vinyl collection on XPN Sunday's at 11a. And I will continue to do Funky Friday, vintage funk and soul, from 5-7p.

9. Are there any local community organizations/initiatives you are passionate about?

In Philadelphia, we are fans of Mighty Writers -- an after-school initiative to teach kids to write and to mentor them. And another mentoring organization called Breakthrough. Internationally, we support Doctors Without Borders,

10. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

That I am Mr. Friday night!

Favorite band of all-time:

Mr. Bob Dylan

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

TV, music, The Wissahickon