Skip to main content

An exclusive interview with a Seattle radio morning man



Pleased to offer an interview with KIRO FM 97.3 morning drive host Charlie Harger.    Charlie moved from the old KOMO radio to become News Director there but then has successfully returned to his on air roots.   Enjoy:


Q:  Charlie how do you like the morning drive role?

I’m really enjoying being back on air. When I moved over to KIRO from KOMO, I thought I’d end up behind the scenes in a management role and didn’t even imagine taking over when Dave Ross retired. I’ve listened to Dave since elementary school in 1980, so this whole experience has been overwhelming and humbling. KIRO is such a big part of Seattle, and I feel lucky to be a broadcaster here. The former hosts of Seattle’s Morning News have all been so supportive, and you can still hear some of their voices  (Bill Yeend, Gregg Hersholt, Dave Ross) in the show liners.


Q: You brought former colleague Manda Factor over from KNWN and it seems to be a comfy chemistry on mornings, true?

Working with Manda has been great too. I started out as a part-time board operator for her KOMO show back in the early 2000s, and she’s been hugely supportive ever since. Having a co-host with that kind of credibility and trust with the audience really makes a difference.


Q:  You have added your own news commentaries to the mix.  What brought that change to your repertoire?

Dave’s commentaries were a centerpiece of the show for decades and some of the best writing I’ve ever heard. I wanted listeners to get to know me and my style before jumping into those. Coming from the news side, I’d never really shared opinions on-air, so it’s been new for me to come in every day with a take. I put a couple hours into writing those three-minute pieces, making sure they’re well-researched and not divisive. My goal is that people can listen and even if they disagree, still feel welcome. I may very well have one the next day that lines up with what they believe, because I’m not an ideologue. I like sharing ideas, and it’s okay to disagree. Remember, my show is a news-first show, so I still have to maintain trust and credibility.

On top of that, the job itself has changed a lot. We record a lot of interviews in our video studio now, and I even produce longform reports for video. Between that and live-streaming the whole show on YouTube, the line between radio and TV feels thinner every day. 


Q:  How about a quick line on the future of terrestrial radio?

I think AM/FM will always have a role, but digital is clearly where things are headed.


Q:  Short, sweet and, yes, inevitable.  Tnx.  And finally, a little personal info please.

On the personal side, my new hours have been great. With two busy teenagers, I get to go to games, recitals, practices, and just be around more. We’ve also got a 5th wheel trailer, so when I’m not at a weekend baseball tournament, we’re usually camping somewhere.


Thank you Charlie Harger and good luck.

Comments

  1. Thanks for the interview! Even though I truly miss Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien, I love Charlie Harger and Manda Factor in the morning! The transition has been good and I look forward to many years with this KIRO team.

    ReplyDelete
  2. An old school class act! I’ve heard some of his commentaries and feel his point of view is missing from today’s media. My hope is people hear them and appreciate his insight and wisdom and turn the temperature down. Perhaps down the road they get picked up nationally .
    Rich

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charlie and Manda expanding beyond Seattle is an interesting idea. I could see them going regional, airing on stations across the Pacific Northwest. As for going national, they would be a point of difference from much of what makes up national talk radio today. But if that were to happen, would they have to give up Seattle's Morning News? Or would Seattle's Morning News have to be retooled into a national content heavy show?

      Delete
  3. I do miss Dave and Colleen, but the change to Charlie and Manda seems to be going well. Seattle's Morning News is a little different now, yet it still feels comfortably familiar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ICD9. I was really just thinking of Charlie’s commentary being picked up by a Network, like Dave’s did for awhile
      Rich

      Delete
    2. Oops! I misinterpreted what you were thinking there. I apologize for that. Your idea is still a good one. Some of Charlie's commentaries could certainly resonate nationally. I don't think there would be much in the way of national interest when Charlie comments on state and local matters (depending on what they are...sone would undoubtedly resonate nationally), but his take on national and global affairs could draw an audience.

      Delete
  4. Charlie is one of the best in local radio news as a writer, reporter and anchor (I would add professor since he taught at Green River Community College). The exclusive interviews that he did with Gary Ridgway (aka Green River Killer) was truly an amazing piece of work that really made you feel you were in the room with the guy. It really is bone chilling to be hearing this person and maybe uncomfortable, but Charlie delivered and kept his cool doing these interviews. No frills. No special sound effects. Even when I was working at KOMO (on the TV side), Charlie was just as polite and professional when you had a question on how to best turn this story for radio when he had his own deadlines to deal with. Charlie is a legend in my book. I wish I had the chance to work again with him. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rebecca Stevenson has left KOMO

 "I am no longer at Komo 4." Thanks.  Longtime Weather Anchor Rebecca Stevenson confirms that she left the station just before Christmas.  Her last Facebook posts are 12/17.  She has the Seattle station Quintafecta, having worked at the old NWCN, KING, KIRO, KCPQ and KOMO.  Looks like her decision.  Wants a new chapter.   She was doing mainly weekend evenings for KOMO.  Perhaps Stella Sun will move there.   She has been sharing weekend mornings with Theron Zahn.    

Where is Frankie?

Many have missed KIRO 7's weekend PM weather anchor, Frankie Katafias, so I reached out to some of my sources to find an answer.    She is apparently taking a few months of leave, but not known specifically what the reason may be.  Although there is uncertainty, it could be a personal or family matter.   I am told she is expected back at some point in the new year.  She is a great asset to what has become a troubled station.  Meanwhile former KOIN Portland chief met holds down the fort.

Seattle TV Weekender Ends Her Run

  So long to KOMO's longtime weekend morning anchor Lee Stoll who did her final show Saturday.  She previously worked at KIRO7 and KREM2 in Spokane and did a little fill-in for me at the old NWCN.  She's a Northwestern U grad.   Weekend weather sidekick Theron Zahn will likely step right into anchor slot.  Newcomer Stella Sun may also be in the mix.  Zahn bid Lee a final goodbye this morning.  She is not revealing what is next, saying "That's for later." Also, next month Komo News Operations boss Dennis Hanson and longtime Production Tech Rena Mullen are retiring. There's a big Studio C station bash for them and retiring ND Phil Bruce on December 5th.