An Evening with Larry Meiller

Jill Nadeau and Larry Meiller. 6/3/26 dwm

Larry Meiller hung up the headphones after a 59-year career broadcasting on Wisconsin Public Radio then celebrated with a series of farewell events across the state. The finale was June 3 in Madison's Barrymore Theater.

I've been aware of Meiller's work, but haven't listened much since he was on-air while I was working. As he talked about getting into radio, I heard names of people I got to know in my early years at Oakwood. 

He hosted the first call-in show on public radio in 1978 that explored a variety of topics like gardening, pets, and community issues with a measured approach. During his show Wednesday, he recounted tales of on-air bloopers, like when he had two special guests that called in at the same time and he asked questions meant for the second guest he asked the first one.

He didn't just talk locally, he had a statewide audience, and on his show, "Calling All Pets," was distributed nationally.

It was a wonderful evening of stories by a member of the state's broadcasting hall-of-fame who is regarded for his career as a professor, researcher, and broadcaster. Thanks, Larry!