Bob Edwards: "A Voice in the Box"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-09-26/bob-edwards-voice-box
A working-class kid from Kentucky, Bob Edwards always dreamed of a career in radio. He got his start at a small station in Indiana whose signal was so weak, some listeners couldn’t hear it unless the wind blew the right way. In just a few years, Bob was asked to read the news for a fledgling start-up known as National Public Radio. By 1979, he was the host of "Morning Edition," which would eventually become the nation’s highest-rated public radio show. How a small-town boy became one of public radio’s most beloved hosts, and why leaving NPR revived his career.
Guests
Bob Edwards
former long-time host of NPR's Morning Edition, author of "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism" and "Fridays with Red"
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Program Highlights
In 1979, Bob Edwards became the host of NPR's Morning Edition, a post he held for nearly 25 years. Now, in his new memoir titled "A Voice in the Box," Edwards writes about his more than 30,000 interviews, why he left NPR and what it's like to be a satellite radio pioneer. Edwards talks about his interview style, how radio and the media have changed since his early days, and more.
Putting Himself Through College and Getting in to Radio
Edwards earned his college degree while working full-time, which was the only way he could afford it. He knocked on radio stations' doors, begging to join the staff. His senior year, he got a job in radio, and it was all he had ever wanted to do from the time he was very young. "I thought, a voice in the box. I wanted to be one of those voices in the box, the big, big radio in our living room."
Edwards' Mentor
One of Edwards' major influences was Ed Bliss, with whom Edwards had a life-long friendship. Bliss worked at CBS for years and wrote for Edward R. Murrow. "He was a sweetheart, a very sweet, gentle man until you handed in your copy...then he was Attila the Hun." Bliss taught Edwards how to write for broadcast, and he thought there were no small mistakes in writing.
Early Days at NPR
Edwards started at NPR when it was only a few years old, in the early 1970s. He began co-hosting "All Things Considered" with Susan Stamberg in 1974, and learned a lot from her, saying she was "a natural" on the radio and that he could see on a program like "All Things Considered" that the questions had to be at least as interesting as the answers. Edwards enjoyed his early days at NPR. "There's a big difference in the beginning when you're in a tiny little organization and there are no rules and you can have fun. There are also no resources, which is why you can have fun."
Leaving NPR
Edwards was with NPR for 30 years, most of them in his role as host of "Morning Edition." "At the end it wasn't a lot of fun because there were 27 people in the building who could order me into a studio to change a word or something because the national desk didn't like this or the science desk didn't like this. And I just felt micromanaged." Edwards says he thinks that ultimately, management simply got tired of him and wanted someone else. Sirius XM Radio was one of the first of many offers Edwards received, and he has been doing "The Bob Edwards Show" there ever since.
An Enduring Love for Public Radio
Despite the tensions that surrounded Edwards' exit from NPR, he still loves public radio and continues to fund-raise for WAMU 88.5, the NPR member station in Washington D.c. But he says that public radio needs to find a way of replacing federal funding. "I think the super committee is going to zero out all federal funds to public radio and it's now about seven to 15 percent of a station's budget, and that doesn't sound like much, but try to replace it."
You can read the full transcript here.
Read an Excerpt
Excerpted from "A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio," by Bob Edwards. Copyright 2011 by Bob Edwards. Reprinted here by permission of The University Press of Kentucky:
Comments
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Yes, Dian. He has a wonderful voice. But your voice feels like home.
Dear Bob,
I missed you sorely when you left NPR, but now your weekend program is a regular part of my weekend. Your program has nurtured my life in a way that no other can. Thank you!
I love the Diane Rehn show, but there is nothing more boring than listening to 2 NPR commentators (present and past) talking nonsense for 1 hour.
The most moving radio I have ever heard was Bob Edwards reading off stories about the people that died, or did not die, on 9/11, how the choice of catching a cab or changing planes can have life altering or life ending results. Several times over the days he read them I had to pull over on the road and control my crying before I could continue.
dear phindm-
why not change channels instead of spoiling it for everyone else?
better talk about past then present
currently listening to 'expert' on NPR about how internet almost 15 years olde... fifty to be technical and accurate but IT is mass media for profit NoT education. picky burnout
MORE concerned about NYC police stating they have surface to air missiles... or is the plan to ram aircraft? Public discourse be nice BUT that antiAmerican terrorist talk to discuss NS unnecessary.
each day a gift, none guaranteed, failure NOT an option
but being beings fallible, eventually US do
Bob Dad Bob? Bob and Ray fame???
still uselessly breathing until eviction next month. US luckliy not suffering from stress, oh wait, US do... poor planning US part
70 yr old vet has week till 'release' from physical rehab(hit by truck) and as home condemnend by state/ county TRYING to find US place to 'live'... and find 'solutions'
If only US had not given ALL that time and effort for country IF this the WAY you are going to treat US country.
Dian,
Thanks for having Bob Edwards as a guest. I wish he were back on NPR. I sometimes wince at the "conversational" style of the current commentators.
As an daily NPR listener I am surprised that you are so sensitive and willing to bully people. I would rather listen to Diane's take on the important news issues and not a fluff piece to help promote a book for a friend of hers.
Thoroughly entertaining: two icons of NPR. Thanks to both of you and a special thanks to Mr. Edwards for the Red Barber pieces that are still cherished here in Tallahassee.
I registered to comment. I am frankly shocked by how rude people can be. Bob Edwards' voice is iconic and he was there when Morning Edition began. His voice accompanied my life for so many years as it had many others. Perhaps all this means nothing to some, but to those of us who grew up listening to his voice we miss its reassuring presence.
Bob, though, does sound still angry over the end of his tenure at NPR. It was not what he wanted but it was a chance to start his life in a new way. I hope he finds peace with it.
Thanks so much for this show. I really enjoyed it. I only "discovered" NPR following 9/11 & Bob Edwards was the voice of NPR for me. My assistant at the time, Mary Jane, was a regular listener as well. When Bob Edwards left she was outraged. Not normally someone to lose her temper or allow things to seriously upset her, this was something that certainly did. We lost her not too long after that when her breast cancer returned. I thought of her throughout the show & was reminded of just how much I miss her.
At 61, Bob Edwards always reminded me of the newsmen of my childhood - Douglas Edwards & Walter Cronkite. Nice to be reminded that real "newsmen" still exist in this troubled world. Wishing both of you, Diane & Bob, many, many more years of keeping all of us well informed & thoughtful listeners.
Eric DeRise wrote:
"Yes, Dian. He has a wonderful voice. But your voice feels like home."
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You must live with Fran Drescher, Gilbert Gottfried, and Rachael Ray.