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.
July 13, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with a member of the organization that hosts Movie and Music in the Park series at Loring Park on the edge of downtown Minneapolis.
July 27, 1992 - All Thing’s Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Minnesota wrestler John Morgan about Roman Greco wrestling. Morgan details the different styles of wrestling and comments on not participating in 1992 Olympics.
July 28, 1992 - A conversation on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services reintroduction of the Osprey into the southern part of state, including the metro. The bird population dropped dramatically in the area because of shooters and pesticides.
August 3, 1992 - Daniel Farber, University of Minnesota law professor, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about his concerns on the process of electing judges.
August 5, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with local critic and author Karal Ann Marling about controversial art at the Minnesota State Fair. Marling share shares her thoughts about fair in general.
August 17, 1992 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker details the poor play of the reigning championship Minnesota Twins as the 1992 regular season hits the final weeks of play.
August 17, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews researcher about status and aftermath of a train derailment near Duluth that led to spillage of toxic chemicals and city evacuation. Interviewee states that long-term health effects are unlikely from the brief exposure to gaseous cloud.
August 18, 1992 - Former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Anderson talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about how the Minnesota GOP party has changed and become more conservative over the years.
August 19, 1992 - Joseph Komro, director of the Minnesota State Band, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about concert series and history of the band.
August 20, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Steven E. Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College, about the negative impact for President Bush in changing course with tax increase policy.