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.
June 26, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Father Frankie Perkovich, the fourth person to be named into the Polka Hall of Fame. Father Perkovich is known for performing and promoting the Polka Mass.
June 27, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten gets the inside scoop from Kevin Strong, a baseball player from Minneapolis who finds himself as a rookie for the Minnesota Twins minor league affiliate Elizabethton Twins.
July 3, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Euan Jones, a resident of Waterville, Minnesota, about the vandalism and destruction of a beloved 250-year-old oak tree, known as the “Yum Yum Tree.”
July 3, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten gets a Native American perspective of Mount Rushmore National Memorial on the 50th anniversary of stone sculpture.
July 4, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten speaks with member of Twin Cities arts community on expression, a risqué show, and support of Walker Art Center curator John Killacky.
July 25, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten calls “Swine Master” Dave at the Hennepin County Fair to ask about racing pigs. Dave details the training schedule and says the key is desire to run.
July 26, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with a women’s rights activist about Brother Peace program, who details St. Cloud rally to fight against various forms of abuse by men on women and children. Conversation focuses on need for men to be active in standing up against men who harass, control, and foster inequality.
August 5, 1991 - Former Vice President Walter Mondale talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about allegations that officials of U.S. government and/or political party conspired to keep hostages under Iranian control during 1980 presidential election. Mondale comments on potential of an investigation.
August 6, 1991 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews individual on seeking better representation of tribal governments for tribal members.
August 7, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with the Lee Henry, mayor of Stockton, Minnesota, about getting relief after town was hit by flood waters. The mayor details how he “pushed” to get governmental assistance.