People have complained about Milwaukee's generic FM music stations since Sigmund Snopek was a pup (and probably even longer than that), but there is an alternative just to the left of the dial. It's The World Cafe, an eclectic mix of non-commercial music, and over the past 11 years, the program has been the breeding ground for superstars like Sheryl Crow and Macy Gray.

The repertoire of tunes is great -- mostly alternative folk-based stuff, world beats and quality pop by underappreciated talents -- but the best part of the show is the host, David Dye. Intelligent and down to earth, Dye's mellow voice, engaging questions and sincere love of music make him the very best in his class.

A lifelong resident of Philadelphia (with the exception of a five-year stint in Maine), Dye began his career in 1970 at WMMR-FM, where he helped launch the careers of then-no-names like Bruce Springsteen, Todd Rundgren and Tom Waits. He was later a program director for another commercial station in Philly before crossing over to public radio in the 1980s.

Dye began hosting the "Midday Mix" at WXPN, the current home base station for The World Cafe, introducing the country to a new style of commercial-free radio. Dye's exhaustive music knowledge and impeccable taste enable him to smell a superstar months, even years, before the mainstream get a whiff.

But even more interesting are the Dye-discovered musicians that never receive radio exposure other than on the World Cafe. These artists are talented and charismatic, but for whatever reasons, never achieve fame or fortune. Thanks to David Dye, we hear these talents, buy their CDs and realize that some of the industry's best will never be on MTV.

Although he continues to discover some of the most exciting and unexplored artists in music, it is Dye who really makes the show what it is. A masterful interviewer and a passionate listener, David Dye, unlike others in the field, knows when to talk and when to let the music speak for itself.

Today, The World Cafe is played on more than 150 stations, seven days a week. Most Cafe fans are hardcore followers, tuning in every night. The three hour program is seven nights a week, from 7 to 10 p.m. on WUWM (89.7), and on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. (Hosted by Milwaukee's Bruce Winter.)

Over the years, Dye has been very supportive of Milwaukee, following the local music scene, visiting numerous times to host concerts and saying many complementary things on the air. Recently, it was our honor and pleasure to interview David Dye, a music visionary and, as of this moment, an honorary Milwaukeean.

OMC: You have been to Milwaukee numerous times, supported many artists from the area and said nice things about our city on the air. What is your connection to Milwaukee?

DD: To be truthful, the connection comes from Milwaukee! There was such early acceptance of the World Cafe by WUWM listeners that I was overwhelmed! People were incredibly friendly every time I've been there. It helps that I am a long-time BoDeans fan and have gotten to know Paul Cebar over the years. Heck, I was even a Semi-Twang fan!

OMC: When --and why -- did you stop doing the World Cafe on Saturday?

DD: It was their (WUWM's) decision and it was primarily financial. Bruce (Winters) does a great job!

OMC: Do you choose your guests?

DD: We have a five-person World Cafe staff, and suggestions for guests can come from any one of us. That said, I tend to take the lead in choosing who we have on. It's a combination of who is touring, whose album I'm into and who I'm curious about. We are making more of an effort here in our 11th year to chose people who we have never had on who have a real history, like our recent interview with Johnny Cash.

OMC: What were some of your favorite CDs in 2002 and who was your best interview in 2002?

DD: The best interview in 2002 was Jackson Browne. I am a long-time fan and I had a long time to talk with him and he was willing to talk about just about anything. We will probably be re-running it til everyone is sick of it!

As for albums: Norah Jones, Coldplay, Rhett Miller, Orchestra Baobab, Kim Richey, Chuck Prophet.

OMC: What CDs are you most looking forward to in 2003? Who are you most looking forward to interviewing in 2003?

DD: There is supposedly a new Lucinda Williams CD out soon and I am definitely looking forward to that. Also a new band called Thorn which puts together Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins -- those guys should have some good songs. I'm not sure about interviews. We are trying to get Ray Charles. We definitely want more interviews with long-timers.