"Every time I see that guy," wrote a friend of mine, on a picture online of crooner Dale LePage performing a few years ago at the Out to Lunch concert series on the Worcester Common, "he's having too much fun."



LePage was quick to reply, "If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong."

And it's true: Whether you're watching him sing classic songs with the Manhattans, or watching him host a TV or Web series such as "WooTube" or "This is the Nightlife" (which, in the interest of disclosure, I was briefly a contributor for), LePage always appears to be enjoying himself.



And with his most recent project, the TV show "New England Pride TV With Dale LePage," he's looking to maintain that sense of fun while addressing some very serious issues.

"I think it’s going to be something wonderful for a lot of people," says LePage, in a phone interview. The show will begin airing monthly on May 9, and is already set to air on WCCA in Worcester, along with Leominster, Framingham, Northampton, Ogunquit, Maine, and other markets, as well as online at http://www.newenglandpridetv.com/.

"I’ve been going to high schools and colleges, talking to their gay student alliances and brainstorming segments," said LePage. "I think I have a good feel about what the community would like to see."

LePage got the idea when he performed at a benefit for Safe Homes, a program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. "I was floored by the work that they do," said LePage, who notes the suicide rate for LGBTQ teens is roughly double the average. That sobering thought inspired LePage to conceive a show that would both provide a resource for LGBTQ youth and spread information about fundraisers and benefits for charities, as well as be entertaining.

"I hoped that this show would be shown on Facebook and iPads. That’s the medium that the younger generations use."



The show is a volunteer effort, with no one — including LePage — getting paid. Sponsorships go toward paying for studio space, editing and publicity. One segment will feature information on support groups, authors, health discussions, music events, restaurants, fundraising and coming events in and around the New England area. Another segment will be "Out With Joe," where reviewer Joe Mangiacotti will discuss restaurants and entertainment venues. The third segment will be "The Lady Speaks," featuring Worcester drag queen Lady Sabrina.



"She’s going to be answering viewer mail and questions once a month," says LePage. "She’s already taped her first 4-minute segment. It's very funny and touching. It’s brilliant."



It's LePage's hope that, even though the show addresses LGBTQ themes and issues, it will also be appealing to a general audience. One of the keys to that end will be having interesting guests. The first guest booked is transgender author Grace Stevens — a a co-leader of the First Event transgender conference who transitioned late in life — who will be discussing her book "No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth." LePage is also working to schedule political leaders, including Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and Congressman Jim McGovern. Indeed, in some ways, the show almost seems like something that should already exist.



"Can you believe this hasn’t been done yet? There's some YouTube videos, but nothing like a talk show," says LePage, adding that he hopes that "this is something that will help the youth in the community."

When asked how he finds the energy to handle now three shows, along with the musical career and his other endeavors, he quips, "I’m exhausted," before turning serious for a moment.

"I was off the stage and just riddled with panic attacks and anxiety for 25 years," he says. "For 25 years I did nothing. I wrote children's books. Even going into a crowded room … I couldn’t. For 25 years … you have a lot to make up for."

Clearly, he's not wasting any more time.



Email Victor D. Infante at Victor.Infante@Telegram.com and follow Pop Culture Notebook on twitter @TGPopCulture.