Legendary Folk DJ Gene Shay to Retire
Beloved 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 “the dean of American folk DJs” by the Philadelphia Daily News, and “the godfather of American folk” 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 life’s work. (He’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 career 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