gene shay

For over 45 years Gene Shay has been the Philadelphia folk scene’s most visible representative, producing folk radio shows every Sunday since 1962, (now on 88.5, WXPN) A founder of the Philadelphia Folk Festival and Fe Fstival emcee since its inception, he has been called the “Godfather of Philadelphia Folk Music” by the Philadelphia Inquirer and "the dean of American folk DJs" by The Philadelphia Daily News. His early interviews with Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, John Denver, Tom Waits, Phil Ochs, Bonnie Raitt and Judy Collins are almost legendary---some of these have even been bootlegged. Gene was the first one to bring Bob Dylan to Philadelphia for his debut concert, and as an advertising, writer-producer, Gene wrote the original radio spots for Woodstock. helped design the famous "smiling banjo" logo for the Philadelphia Folk Festival and years later came up with the name "World Cafe" for the nationally syndicated series produced by WXPN. Specialties: Look me up in Wikipedia: Gene Shay Philadelphia Daily News Jonanthan Takiff called "Gene Shay, the dean of American folk DJs..."