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.
September 21, 1995 - A special Talk of Minnesota program, reflecting on the life and times of Rudy Perpich, the former Minnesota governor, who passed away earlier in the afternoon. Program presents reports from the capitol, and commentary from individuals who knew Perpich. MPR’s Gary Eichten also takes comments from listeners.
October 12, 1995 - Cal Haworth, Minnesota chair of MADD, discusses the state laws in place for drunk driving and concerns of court decisions in determining sentencing, especially for public figures.
October 16, 1995 - With the Million Man March going on in Washington D.C., Gary Eichten discusses event with Jerry Blakey, St. Paul council member, and Kwame McDonald, executive director of Inner City Youth League. Blakey and McDonald also answer listener questions. Additional program segment of a first-hand perspective from Kevin Young, a Minneapolis carpenter, marching in D.C.
October 27, 1995 - Bonnie Campbell, director of the U.S. Justice Department's Violence Against Women office; Sheila Wellstone, U.S. senator Wellstone’s spouse; and Chief Judge Donovan Frank, of the 6th Judicial District in Northeastern Minnesota, discuss domestic violence and the Violence Against Women Act. The program guests also answer listener questions.
October 30, 1995 - A lively Midday discussion about the proposed "Jobs and a Fair Wage Initiative" which will be voted on in St. Paul. Studio guests are St. Paul businessman John McCarty and former St. Paul City Council member Paula Maccabee.
February 1, 1996 - As it hovers around -20 degrees outside, Midday’s Gary Eichten asks headhunter Mark Sathe about how one is able to lure someone to move to Minnesota for a job or career.
February 1, 1996 - Joe Dowling, Guthrie Theater's new artistic director, visits the Minnesota Public Radio studios to discuss the new season of Guthrie plays and the theater world in general. Dowling also answers listener questions.
February 2, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with officials in Embarrass, Minnesota about losing out on low temperature record to Tower, a town just to the north.
February 2, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten discusses the record setting cold temperatures found throughout the state with meteorologist Mark Seeley, who explains the atmospheric scenario that created the frigid conditions.
February 8, 1996 - Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, a day after she gave her State of the City address. She talks about the condition of Minnesota's biggest city, with topics including mayoral role, violent crime, Minneapolis police, community programs, elementary education, and street drugs. Sayles Belton also answers listeners questions.