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Legendary Folk DJ Gene Shay to Retire

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GeneShayBeloved Philadelphia folk music DJ and icon Gene Shay announced that he will be retiring from broadcasting. Shay has been an influential member to the folk music community for more than five decades. WXPN, a non-commercial, member-supported radio service out of the University of Pennsylvania who currently hosts Shay’s “The Folk Show,” announced that Sunday, February 1st will be the date of his final show.

Starting on WHAT Philadelphia in 1962, the show moved to WMMR and then WHYY, before moving to his current “home” on WXPN in 1995. Shay has been a Sunday night fixture for more than 50 years, and has influenced hundreds of folk DJs and many thousands of folk music enthusiasts throughout the region. He helped found the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, and has served as the concert emcee for all of its 54 years. Gene was the first to bring Bob Dylan to Philadelphia in 1963. He has been called ā€œthe dean of American folk DJsā€ by the Philadelphia Daily News, and ā€œthe godfather of American folkā€ by the Philadelphia Inquirer. These are only a few of his many accomplishments, as 79-year-old icon has advocated, supported and taken a leading role in expanding the listening horizon for folk music as his lifeā€™s work. (Heā€™s been a member of the board here at Sing Out! for nearly two decades!)

According to WXPN, “The Folk Show” will continue after Shay’s retirement, though a replacement has not yet been announced.

Thinking of Shay’s career and impact, Mark D. Moss, Executive Director and Editor at Sing Out! wrote:

I can’t think of a person who has been more influential or key to folk music in the region. Gene Shay is the gateway drug to my life’s passion and work – and one helluva great guy too. His show will be missed … but the fruits of his years on the air are and will be all around us for years to come. Gene Shay *is* folk music in Philadelphia.

Sing Out! will be organizing a celebration of his careerĀ  on March 1st (just a few days before Gene’s 80th birthday!) at the UU Church in Center City Philadelphia … Details to follow!

— Matt Hengeveld

— Update — Click for Gene Shay Concert Details … and Tickets!!! — Update —Ā 

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Comments

Legendary Folk DJ Gene Shay to Retire — 3 Comments

  1. Pingback:Turn Your Radio On - Sing Out!

  2. i have volunteered @ the P.F.F. since 1973 & am grateful to Gene for all his years as M.C. I even enjoyed his jokes. thank God he will still M.C. the Fest. although, he will be sorely missed on WXPN.

  3. Just to introduce myself. I’ve known and worked with Gene at Marketing and Advertising Associates from 1968 to 1969. Then, when he co-owned Group Two Advertising in 1970, I was hired as his secretary. Since then, we’ve remained best friends with he and his wife, Gloria. We (husband Alan) and I being his “unofficial chauffeurs” to the PFF. We’ll miss being our self-appointed chauffeurs, but remain the best of friends and will stay so into his retirement. I am so happy a to be a part of Gene’s life and know he feels the same. Thanks for reading this and hope to meet you at his retirement gig. I will be buying 2 tickets to the ‘4 Gene’ concert as soon as they go on sale on the 21st. Regards, Gerri

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