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.
January 31, 1992 - Al Quie, former Minnesota governor, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about dropping approval ratings for Governor Arne Carlson, as his administration addresses a struggling economy and taxes.
February 3, 1992 - An interview on the development of a soup kitchen in Fergus Falls to assist the homeless and those struggling after job losses in area. A definition on what exactly the term “soup kitchen” means is provided.
February 7, 1992 - Nancy Mudge Cato, of Elk River, reflects on her professional baseball playing years. Mudge was an infielder for Kalamazoo Lassies and played for numerous All-American Girls Professional Baseball League teams.
February 10, 1992 - With the passing of author Alex Haley, All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Jim Toscano about his recollections of the author developing and researching for his acclaimed book “Roots” during his visits in Minnesota.
February 11, 1992 - Former Governor Elmer L. Anderson comments State of the State speeches, both their importance and limitations. Anderson recalls some of his favorites over the years.
February 21, 1992 - Ted Riverso, St. Thomas women's basketball coach, talks about the 1992 team that could set record with game-winning streak during 1991-1992 period.
March 2, 1992 - An interview with an official from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts on efforts to make MIA the most "visitor effective" museum in the country.
March 6, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Dr. Betty Jerome about teen moms. Dr. Jerome is director of the Teenage Medical Center at Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
March 10, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Paul Ogren, House representative for District 14A, about the health care bill running through the State Capitol. The bill would open up insurance options to the working poor through state dollars and caps on the health industry charges.
March 27, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Eugene McCarthy about the 1992 Democratic presidential campaigns of Jerry Brown and Bill Clinton. McCarthy also speaks about Independent candidate Ross Perot.