A daily acoustic-rock, blues and alternative-country show called The World Cafe will now be available on WNIJ, 89.5, from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The World Cafe, with host David Dye, is produced at the University of Pennsylvania and features live performances and interviews with up and coming artists from the blues, rock and folk genres. It is syndicated to more than 150 radio stations nationwide.

“The World Cafe is a contemporary music program with primarily contemporary artists,” WNIJ Programming Director Bill Drake said.

Guests like Art Garfunkel and Tori Amos are among the few notable famous acts scheduled for appearances on the show. WNIJ has coverage extending to the Rockford area and has been devoted to a news talk format with some jazz in the evening since 1998.

“WNIJ will remain an NPR news station, but The World Cafe is big for us because it’s the first time we have done a music format outside of blues,” Drake said.

The World Cafe will continue this trend with interviews and in-depth analysis on certain music types and discussions about books, movies and plays that pertain to the music being showcased that day.

“What we’re trying to do is to get a music format on the air that our regular NPR news listeners can appreciate and draw listeners to the station who otherwise would not tune in,” Drake said.

Drake explained that The World Cafe is a permanent fixture on the station and will be on as long as it is successful.

“It is something new for us. I hope people will give it a chance,” Drake said.