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 16, 2011 - On this Midday, two guests talk about 50 years of the Minnesota Vikings. Writer Jim Klobuchar, who covered the Vikings from day one, September 17, 1961, joins Midday to talk about the history of the team and the game of football? Following that, a conversation with Tommy Mason, Minnesota Viking’s first player.
October 11, 2011 - Former GOP presidential candidate and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty sits down with MPR's Gary Eichten to reflect on his failed presidential bid, his two terms as governor, and his future career in or out of politics. This is the first public interview since he dropped out of the race for president.
October 27, 2011 - A new study led by University of Minnesota researchers shows that annual flu shots protect only about 59% of the population. How good are vaccines, and how important to public health? Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, provides insights on the effectiveness of vaccines.
November 1, 2011 - Midday looks back at the life and career of Tom Keith (aka Jim Ed Poole). He was known nationally as the sound effects man on A Prairie Home Companion. He also co-hosted The Morning Show on Minnesota Public Radio for 25 years. Friends and colleagues reminisce about the legendary radio personality. Program includes a profile of Tom Keith.
November 18, 2011 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz. The two discuss the The congressional “supercommittee” efforts to cut the federal budget deficit by $1.2. Walz joined a bipartisan group urging the panel to "go big" and exceed the minimum target. During conversation, the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are addressed. Walz also answers listener questions.
December 13, 2011 - Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton reflects on the first year of his four-year term and answers questions about taxes, the budget, education policies, public employee unions, Vikings stadium, and more. Dayton also answers listener questions.
January 13, 2012 - A Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor joins Midday to talk about his long career in radio and where his popular program is headed. Keillor also answers listener questions.
January 16, 2012 - Midday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a discussion about race and religion in America with guest Keith Ellison (D-MN), U.S. representative for the Minnesota 5th District.
January 20, 2012 - A broadcast of "Heckuva Farewell," an event for MPR’s Gary Eichten, held at the Fitzgerald Theater on January 19, 2012. For his last Midday show, Gary interviews Vice President Mondale, Minnesota's senior statesman. The two hold a wide-ranging political discussion.
January 20, 2012 - MPR's Cathy Wurzer and Minnesota Public Radio listeners turn the tables and ask questions of legendary host Gary Eichten as MPR's pre-eminent news host retires on January 20, 2012, after 45 years of radio broadcasting.