For many who have listened to the airwaves over the previous decades, Gary Eichten’s voice is synonymous to Minnesota Public Radio. The retired MPR News editor-at-large Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer, and station manager. He routinely served as host for Minnesota Public Radio's live-special events news coverage, and has hosted all of the major news programs on Minnesota Public Radio, including Midday (which he hosted for more than 20 years!).
It all began on April Fool’s Day in 1967, when Eichten started his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Collegeville’s KSJR, MPR’s first station. He became the station’s one-man news department and quickly found that turning up his headphones forced him to speak more intimately, which gave him that radio voice.
In the fall of 1992, Eichten moved from hosting the regional late-afternoon edition of All Things Considered to hosting Midday. In his new role, Eichten personified the art of hosting, a tradition begun by the program’s previous host, Bob Potter. It also solidified Gary’s distinct tone and insightful questions that listeners came to hear as being MPR.
As Midday host, Eichten let his guests answer those questions and sought to understand their responses. With daily early morning research, his respectful but direct on-air style, and assistance from his long-time producer Sara Meyer, Eichten found himself making memorable radio…from a poignant sign-off of the original regional “All Things Considered,” a live on-air moment with a contentious Governor Ventura, to even a pledge drive.
Among the honors Eichten received during his MPR career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for Best Local News Program and the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame.
Simply put, Mr. Eichten is a Minnesota treasure, on and off the air.
This large curation is indicative of the breadth of that work.
April 30, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Larry Buboltz, mayor of Detroit Lakes, about the closing announcement of Swift turkey plant in the city. Buboltz details the challenges ahead…not only for the plant workers, but the entire community.
May 4, 1992 - Former Vice-President Walter Mondale shares his views on President Bush comments about the situation in Los Angeles following the verdict in the trial of four policemen. Mondale also discusses what he sees as failed social and economic U.S. policies affecting the country.
May 6, 1992 - Minnesota U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone talks to MPR’s Gary Eichten about congressional plans for urban revitalizations.
May 7, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews University of Minnesota-Duluth official regarding phone call threats against UMD staff members both on and off campus.
May 13, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews St. Paul Mayor Jim Scheibel about urban federal program development. Scheibel states that an urban policy to assist business and housing is necessary.
May 14, 1992 - An All Things Considered interview about the complex nature of freeways in the Twin Cities. Interviewee states the benefits of faster transportation avenues to suburbs is countered with risk to the vitality of local neighborhoods within Minneapolis and St. Paul.
May 27, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten chats with Frank Bencriscutto (aka Dr. Ben), University of Minnesota band leader, who is stepping down from his position after 30+ years. Bencriscutto describes the uniqueness and importance of concert bands.
May 28, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews local educator civil rights activist Bill Wilson about mentoring male youth in St. Paul. Wilson highlights tutoring, Afrocentric culture activities, and career planning.
June 4, 1992 - Republican Bill Schreiber, an outgoing Minnesota State representative, reflects on his time at the State Capitol and what the future may hold for legislature in the 1990s.
June 10, 1992 - Choua Lee, a Hmong member of Saint Paul School Board, talks about the need for community, educational, and family prevention efforts to provide support for local Asian youth and pushing back against gang activity.