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.
October 28, 1994 - On this Midday program, a second day of broadcasts with Independent Republican and DFL candidates for Congress. MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews incumbent DFL Bruce Vento I-R and his I-R challenger Dennis Newinski, both running for the 4th District. Following that, a lively in-studio interview with DFL candidate Bill Luther and I-R candidate Tad Jude, both running for 6th District.
November 1, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews local journalist Barbara Flanagan about Lake Street...then and now. The area in South Minneapolis has a storied and busy past…with street cars, retail, and culture.
November 3, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Minnesota wildlife artist Les Kouba about that genre of art. Kouba and others routinely compete for the chance to have their creations utilized on a stamp or sold as prints. Kouba gives advice to would-be artists on how to succeed in the “field.”
December 1, 1994 - Norm Coleman, mayor of St. Paul; and Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, discuss their completion of first year in respective offices. Both talk about the future of the cities. They also address current challenges, including racial issues, schools, crime in Minneapolis, and the empty Town Square in St. Paul. Coleman and Sayles Belton also answer listener questions.
December 7, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Bill Green, Minneapolis school board member, about district reorganization plan that would divide city into four sectors, with students going to their “home” sector. Some are concerned that it will create racial imbalances in some schools and hurt efforts to improve education in state.
December 13, 1994 - Arne Carlson, Minnesota governor (I-R), discusses his reelection. Topics include shift of power from federal to states, balanced budget amendment, state spending, MET Council, new EJJ law, and non-profits. Carlson also answers questions from listeners.
December 18, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten has a wide ranging conversation with outgoing U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger, who reflects on his 16-year tenure in the U.S. Senate and on what’s next. Durenberger also answers listener call-in questions.
December 19, 1994 - A special Midday broadcast on the privatization of public schools, with group of guests that share their viewpoints and answer listener questions. The focus of conversation is the use of private companies by public school districts.
December 23, 1994 - A Midday Christmas music special with studio guest Rick Shefchik of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Shefchik presents a selection of the newest songs and performers, new versions of old favorites, and the Christmas classics.
December 27, 1994 - Steven Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College, talks about the Minnesota stature in U.S. politics history, especially in the 1960s…with the likes of Walter Mondale, Eugene McCarthy, and Hubert H. Humphrey.