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Gary Eichten: A Profile
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.
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary can be found on our main content pages of MPR News, YourClassical MPR, The Current, APM Reports, and Marketplace.
685 Collection Items
- Westminster Town Hall Forum: Walter Mondale on 30th anniversary of 1984 Presidential campaign
An MPR News Presents program held at Westminster Townhall Forum with former Vice President Walter Mondale.
- MPR News Presents: 1st District Congressional candidates Walz and Quist debate in Mankato
MPR presents a debate for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District between DFL Congressman Tim Walz and his Republican challenger former State Representative Allen Quist. The debate was a "Debate Minnesota" event, held on October 9th, 2012, at Minnesota State University in Mankato. Topics include small business, economy, budget, and Medicare.
- 5 things you don't know about Gary Eichten
After 45 years in the newsroom, Gary Eichten is retiring. MPR’s Euan Kerr presents 5 things you don't know about Eichten.
- Midday presents Gary Eichten's last broadcast
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.
- "Heckuva Farewell" - Walter Mondale headlines Eichten's MPR farewell at the Fitzgerald Theater
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.
- Keith Ellison discusses race and religion on Rev. Martin Luther King Day
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.
- Garrison Keillor on his career and future
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.
- Mark Dayton reviews his first year as governor
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.
- Congressman Tim Walz on the wars and the budget
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.
- Remembering Prairie Home Companion's Tom Keith
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.