Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Staff
St. Paul

The early days at MPR: When music and news shared a call sign

Gary Eichten
Gary Eichten at the Collegeville studios, taken sometime in the late 1960s.
Minnesota Public Radio File

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Throughout 2017, Minnesota Public Radio will celebrate 50 years on the air by sharing highlights from our archives, connecting Minnesota's past to its present. | Here's a look at how MPR broadcasts sounded when the station was first getting started, and music and news were aired side by side.

MPR marks 50 years
• More stories from the archives
• Join the celebration, tell us your story

Way back when Minnesota Public Radio was first getting started — reporting the news and broadcasting classical collections for Minnesota's listening pleasure — MPR didn't have separate news and music services.

Instead, extended newscasts were incorporated into the music programs.

That meant if you were listening to Garrison Keillor's morning program on April 14, 1970, you would have heard the news from him.

To listen to that newscast, click the second audio player above.

MPR employees
MPR employees, left to right, Garrison Keillor, Michael Barone, Art Hoehn, Dan Rieder, Gary Eichten and an unidentified man at the Collegeville studios, July 1970.
Minnesota Public Radio

For folks who wanted more depth, MPR did produce an hourlong news and public affairs program, which aired weeknights at 7 p.m. It was titled, "Events, Issues and Ideas" and tackled everything from the Vietnam War to stocks and weather to conspiracy theories.

During one show on Nov. 4, 1969, the program began with a rousing bout of classical tunes, then was introduced by music announcer Arthur Hoehn.

Gary Eichten was beginning his career as a journalist when that show aired. He spent 45 years as a news host for Minnesota Public Radio before retiring in 2012.

To listen to the entire Nov. 1969 program, click the third audio player above.