Glenn Mitchell
Encyclopedia
Glenn Mitchell was a Dallas, Texas
radio
personality.
Mitchell (who insisted that the only correct way to spell the name "Glenn" was with two "n"s) was born in Springfield, Missouri
. He hosted a two-hour weekday talk show, The Glenn Mitchell Show, from 12 to 2 p.m. CST on NPR
-member public radio station KERA 90.1
from 1995 to 2005.
Mitchell interviewed a wide variety of guests on an even wider variety of subjects, showing a thirst for knowledge and an unusual skill at making his audience a part of the conversation. Shortly before his death he was praised by guest Mike Wallace
, the CBS veteran reporter. Wallace noted that Mitchell was well known for being an extraordinary interviewer. Mitchell responded modestly, calling himself "the man who did his homework."
The popular "Anything You Ever Wanted to Know" edition of the show aired during the first hour every Friday with the tag line "All Questions Answered. All Knowledge Revealed." Listeners called or emailed questions and answers to those questions every Friday, making it an interactive radio program for the audience. Occasionally, Mitchell would broadcast live from the Dallas Public Library
. The librarians, or "professional smart people" as he referred to them, would help answer questions from callers.
Mitchell won 19 Katie Awards from the Dallas Press Club, four of which were for best interview/talk show, and was recognized by the Dallas Observers "Best of Dallas" awards. In 2006, Mitchell was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and was honored posthumously by the Dallas Press Club with the Buck Marryatt Award for lifetime achievement.
Mitchell also was known for the annual "Christmas Blockbuster" program, a 12-hour marathon of Christmas music, trivia, spoken word, and quizzes which ran for 30 years. A shorter version of the "Christmas Blockbuster" aired on national NPR as the "Christmas Stocking."
The Glenn Mitchell Show had been slated to begin airing nationally on XM Satellite Radio
in February 2006.
At age 37, he underwent aortic valve replacement
surgery to correct an anomaly in the valve, thought to be the result of a birth defect. His death has been attributed to heart failure.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
personality.
Mitchell (who insisted that the only correct way to spell the name "Glenn" was with two "n"s) was born in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
. He hosted a two-hour weekday talk show, The Glenn Mitchell Show, from 12 to 2 p.m. CST on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
-member public radio station KERA 90.1
KERA (FM)
KERA is the National Public Radio affiliate station for North Texas. Based in Dallas, Texas the station's main transmitter is located in Cedar Hill, Texas with translators that serve Tyler , the Sherman/Denison area , and Wichita Falls...
from 1995 to 2005.
Mitchell interviewed a wide variety of guests on an even wider variety of subjects, showing a thirst for knowledge and an unusual skill at making his audience a part of the conversation. Shortly before his death he was praised by guest Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (journalist)
Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace is an American journalist, former game show host, actor and media personality. During his 60+ year career, he has interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers....
, the CBS veteran reporter. Wallace noted that Mitchell was well known for being an extraordinary interviewer. Mitchell responded modestly, calling himself "the man who did his homework."
The popular "Anything You Ever Wanted to Know" edition of the show aired during the first hour every Friday with the tag line "All Questions Answered. All Knowledge Revealed." Listeners called or emailed questions and answers to those questions every Friday, making it an interactive radio program for the audience. Occasionally, Mitchell would broadcast live from the Dallas Public Library
Dallas Public Library
The Dallas Public Library system serves as the municipal library system of the city of Dallas, Texas .-History:In 1899, the idea to create a free public library in Dallas was conceived by the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by president Mrs. Henry Exall. She helped raise US$11,000 from...
. The librarians, or "professional smart people" as he referred to them, would help answer questions from callers.
Mitchell won 19 Katie Awards from the Dallas Press Club, four of which were for best interview/talk show, and was recognized by the Dallas Observers "Best of Dallas" awards. In 2006, Mitchell was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and was honored posthumously by the Dallas Press Club with the Buck Marryatt Award for lifetime achievement.
Mitchell also was known for the annual "Christmas Blockbuster" program, a 12-hour marathon of Christmas music, trivia, spoken word, and quizzes which ran for 30 years. A shorter version of the "Christmas Blockbuster" aired on national NPR as the "Christmas Stocking."
The Glenn Mitchell Show had been slated to begin airing nationally on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
in February 2006.
At age 37, he underwent aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement is a cardiac surgery procedure in which a patient's failing aortic valve is replaced with an alternate healthy valve. The aortic valve can be affected by a range of diseases; the valve can either become leaky or partially blocked...
surgery to correct an anomaly in the valve, thought to be the result of a birth defect. His death has been attributed to heart failure.
External links
- Listen to audio of the November 30, 2005 memorial service for Mitchell
- Obituary from KERA
- Radio piece on Mitchell's death
- Dallas Morning News 2000 biographical article
- National Public Radio Remembrance Page
- Quick Eulogy of Glenn by longtime friend and colleague Gordon KeithGordon KeithGordon Keith is an American radio host on KTCK SportsRadio 1310 AM "The Ticket" in Dallas, Texas. He has shared hosting duties with George Dunham and Craig "Junior" Miller since 1995.-Career:...
- Dallas Observer tribute