For more than 45 years, Gene Shay has been the Philadelphia folk scene’s most visible representative, producing folk radio shows every Sunday since 1962 (currently on WXPN). A founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, he has been called the “Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music” and “the dean of American folk DJs.” Gene brought Bob Dylan to Philadelphia for his regional debut and wrote the original radio spots for Woodstock. Years later, he came up with the name “World Cafe” for the series produced by WXPN. For his own label, Sliced Bread, he produced The Philadelphia Folk Festival 40th Anniversary anthology and “What’s That I Hear,” a critically acclaimed Phil Ochs tribute album. Gene served as a Charter Board Member of the North American Folk & Dance Alliance; serves on the Board of The Philadelphia Folksong Society, The First Person Arts Foundation, The American Composers Forum and is a voting member on the Board of Governors of NARAS in Philadelphia. In 2005, he received Temple University’s coveted Lew Klein Award for Excellence in Communications and was entered into the University’s Radio & TV Hall Of Fame.
