Newsman (reporter/anchor) Tony Miner braced himself against the gunwhales and weathered KIRO's tosses and turns through such gales as Entercom's neglectful ownership and the station's scary flip to FM.
(photo: the anchor man)
All the while, commuting to Eastlake from LaConner, over 100 miles (and 3 or 4 decades) to the north.
Next month he's making a change that will take him off Seattle radio after 30 years behind the mic. He told BlatherWatch: "Bottom line is this: After 30 years on the air in Seattle and 20 as an extreme commuter from the north sound, it was just time to 'go home.'”
(photo: man the anchor)
Tony's taken the position of Director of Programming & News at KGMI in Bellingham taking an hour and half off his commute and keeping him closer to his family, and his beloved boat, the StarFire. His last day will be May 6.
He writes: "When you’re a long distance commuter like I am, it’s hard to feel connected to the community where you work."
Before this long (for radio) run on KIRO, Tony's been all over the Seattle dial: KING, KVI, KOMO, and KZOK, doing everything from anchoring shows, newscasts, reports, podcasts, and features to managing and imaging.
Tony Miner's a newsperson's newsperson. A real grown-up. He will be missed.
Always thought of you as a pro of pro's Tony. The best of luck to you, enjoy being closer to home. May 6th, huh well you'll have a few days as we know (we just heard on the Ross Burbank Show) the world is coming to an end on May 21st, 2011. So long my friend you have always been an objective reporter of the news.
Posted by: Sarah | April 21, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I've always enjoyed and respected Tony Miner. Comments on this website have said Tony is a right-winger but it never showed up in the news reporting I heard.
It sounds like he's leaving on his own terms, which is pretty good for somebody over 40 at Bonneville.
Good luck in Bellingham, Tony. But watch out, it's a pretty progressive town and very close to those socialist Canadians. Also close to Glenn Beck's home town of Mount Vernon.
Posted by: Erictheeditor | April 21, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Good for him.
LaConner is a beautiful place and better that he live more of his life outside of his car.
Bellingham?
Don't eat any wooden mushrooms, Tony.
Posted by: Rat_Bastard | April 21, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Darn. I'll miss him. Sexiest voice on the radio. Always was, always will be. Now, who will I "sigh" about?
Posted by: Betsy B | April 21, 2011 at 01:56 PM
I'm going to be the only honest one here and say that the news anchors are completely interchangeable and any one is barely better than the next. I don't give a shit if it's Lan Archer or Rachel Bell or Jessica Gottesman and in fact the only reason these names come to mind is because they insist on telling me, but it's of absolutely no consequence. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the news updates, but I'd be lying your balls off if I said I cared who was doing the talking. Yes, they're professionals, but that's the point, they're all professionals. You can call any plumber, they'll all fix the same clogged pipe.
Posted by: Andrew | April 21, 2011 at 03:56 PM
TRUE. They just read outloud. Tony reads well & has a deep voice but when he tries to adlib or do a lve interview he's a dud.
Posted by: dodie a. | April 21, 2011 at 04:23 PM
@dodie.a - Why don't YOU try and adlib and do an interview on the radio, asshole?
Posted by: JimF | April 21, 2011 at 05:13 PM
I enjoyed and appreciated Tony Minor's updates over the years. He has a very careful understated style that comes off as a very professional newsperson. If you want your newsperson to represent your station in a thoughtful professional way, Tony Minor is your man.
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 21, 2011 at 05:32 PM
I'm sure those cold comments about interchangeable news anchors come from frustrated talk show hosts who don't think they're famous enough. Sounds like sour grapes to me. Tony Miner, Linda Thomas, et. al are just as vital to the station as blathering idiots like Andrew.
Posted by: Where's Waldo | April 21, 2011 at 06:44 PM
There are reporters in their news room who put up credible work like Alex Silverman and Heather Bosch, and their contribution is immediately obvious, and then you have other guys like Tony Miner, Gregg Hersholt and Bill Radke who, as far as I can tell, simply recite whatever comes off the wire or restate information that others have gathered. I don't see why that deserves any high praise.
Of all the news readers I'd say Linda Thomas does the best job of sounding like she actually cares about what's written on the copy. Tony Miner's delivery is so generic by comparison that he could be reading about a burning school bus full of children and then slide right into the "partialy cloudy forecast for tonight" without missing a note because with him there was but only one note.
I'll miss Tony Miner like I'd miss any voice I heard on a regular basis for a good period of time, but for no other reason in particular.
Posted by: Andrew | April 21, 2011 at 07:28 PM
Tony's always seemed to be a class act on a station where that's clearly not a job requirement. For that reason alone he'll be missed.
Posted by: Pete | April 21, 2011 at 08:54 PM
There are reporters in their news room who put up credible work like Alex Silverman and Heather Bosch, and their contribution is immediately obvious, and then you have other guys like Tony Miner, Gregg Hersholt and Bill Radke who, as far as I can tell, simply recite whatever comes off the wire or restate information that others have gathered. I don't see why that deserves any high praise.
Of all the news readers I'd say Linda Thomas does the best job of sounding like she actually cares about what's written on the copy. Tony Miner's delivery is so generic by comparison that he could be reading about a burning school bus full of children and then slide right into the "partialy cloudy forecast for tonight" without missing a note because with him there was but only one note.
I'll miss Tony Miner like I'd miss any voice I heard on a regular basis for a good period of time, but for no other reason in particular.
Posted by: Andrew | April 21, 2011 at 07:28 PM
Just interesting comments you blathered tonight. What makes it immediately obvious that Miner does not put up credible work.
That he is able to segue from a story about a burning bus to the weather forecast effortlessly speaks to a professional newscaster.
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 21, 2011 at 09:11 PM
"I'm going to be the only honest one here..."
No, Andrew, you're just another poster who's giving an opinion. Looks like you're outnumbered on this one. Miner has done it all and managed to stay in the Seattle market for 30 years...that's quite an accomplishment. Bellingham is lucky to be getting someone of his caliber. Congrats, Tony.
Posted by: Radio Queen | April 21, 2011 at 09:45 PM
What has he done, specifically and recently, that you will miss? I assume I can expect details.
Posted by: Andrew | April 21, 2011 at 09:50 PM
To PS
He makes it look easy because he is a professional. Tony Miner is heads and tails a great announcer.
Posted by: Mike Barer | April 22, 2011 at 11:13 AM
I agree. Here is my blather: I would posit that Tony Minor is the kind of newscaster who is not injecting himself into the story and just gives you the news in an effective, accurate, and calm manner.
A real pro.
Andrew, for that reason I can't name any particular newscast of Tony's that stand out. Now that I answered your question, you obviously must have some circumstances/situations that you could cite to offer credible support for your shot at Tony Minor.
Many of us would like to hear 'em.
It can't be that he is moving to a 'conservative' station now, could it?
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 22, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I'm sorry PS, my comment was really directed to Andrew.
Posted by: Mike Barer | April 22, 2011 at 11:58 AM
not a problem, mike.
that was my assumption.
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 22, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Mr Sound hope you are off today and not using clients billable time.
Posted by: Sarah | April 22, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Maybe he can take Dave Boze along and find him more than an hour a day of radio time!
Posted by: OSK | April 22, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Tony's professional career speaks for itself. A shelf full of Edward R. Murrow awards, 30 years in one market in a dog-eat-dog business, the utmost respect from his colleagues, and choosing to step off the merry-go-round are just the icing on his farewell cake.
Posted by: A Long-Time Fan | April 22, 2011 at 03:05 PM
hey sarah
happy to report that yes i am off today.
just got done with the honey do list of chores around the garden/front yard.
so sarah, since you like to stay on thread what say you about the departure of such a distinguished local newscaster as tony minor?
andrew doesn't seem to think that tony minor is any great shakes as a newscaster whilst the rest of us heartily disagree.
to be fair to andrew, in the past he has made some great observations. i just think he is all wet on this one.
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 22, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Andrew is entitled to his opinion I enjoy his posts. My thoughts about Mr Minor were succinctly stated in the first post on this topic if you'd notice. As a CPA I would expect you to be aware of all the details.
Posted by: Sarah | April 22, 2011 at 04:49 PM
With all the Trumpa over the birther issue, we need to take a breath and remember where the idea started in the first place. SOme might think it was the Repugs or thier brethen the TeaPartiers but if you look closely you'll find the real culprits. Any guesses before clicking this link
Posted by: ProgBlogJunky | April 22, 2011 at 06:50 PM
The Doctor all over Pawlenty on his hiring Drunk Drivers on his campaign. Where was she when Jerimiah Wright exploded on the scene in Obama's corner in 2007-8.
Posted by: ProgBlogJunky | April 22, 2011 at 06:56 PM
To answer your riddle without looking at the link, PBJ - It was the Hillary Clinton campaign that first floated this balloon during the 2008 Pres. campaign. Trump believes he was born in the USA, but is essentially calling Obamy's bluff on the issue and focusing on he must have something to hide - sure he does- it's as plain as the nose on your face. However, since the point has been made - its high time to drop it and move on. This is nothing more than a distraction to the GOP and everyone else who is interested in talking about the issues - that Obamy only demagogues and doesn't offer any adequate solutions.
Tony Minor will be missed - a pro newscaster, who is better than most of them on local TV.
Posted by: KS | April 22, 2011 at 07:12 PM
who cares that Hillary started it? Republicans OWN the issue,now, and they shall wear it like a crown of thorns.
Posted by: Junius T. | April 23, 2011 at 08:43 AM
I liked Tony Miner. Straight news, without fluff.
Posted by: Emile | April 23, 2011 at 08:52 AM
Ah Tony. I knew he had talent when I worked with him so many years ago at KUGR. I gave up on KIRO a long time ago but the fact they kept a talented anchor around for so long meant they hadn't lost all of their marbles. Be happy dude.
Posted by: notme | April 24, 2011 at 08:38 AM
The point that Miner can easily go from one story to another IS the point. While some may disagree, I don't want a newcaster inflecting his/her opinion into a story... IN ANY WAY! Read the news & leave it to me to decide what to think about it. Miner did that for a heck of a long time. By itself, that's a large measure of professionalism.
On plumbers fixing your pipes... sure, any plumber can do it. Strange comparison though. If one plumber's done a good job for me, I'll proably keep him around as long as that relationship lasts. He knows what's under the ground at my place, where another equally-qualifed plumber would have to figure it out all over again.]
Not sure how that relates to a broadcaster though.
This place seems to rejoice in not liking broadcasters much... unless they work for KUOW or KPLU. They get the props due them after they're dead. Miner's due some respect for a career few of us will get anywhere near accomplishing.
Posted by: ksr | April 24, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Had to add that Tony's was one of the few stable voices at KIRO. I liked him as well.
Posted by: joanie | April 24, 2011 at 10:29 PM
I liked Tony and thought for awhile he sounded really good with Linda Thomas. She has a way of bringing out the best in anyone she works with, although she has her hands full trying to pull some excitement out of Radke. He's the most passionless, pointless, person I've ever heard on the radio. I don't understand what KIRO liked about him in the beginning and now although he can get through a few minutes without making a technical mistake, he's boring and puts me back to sleep.
Posted by: NoBS | April 26, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Dori Munson (aka dodie a) would make a nice boat anchor.
Tony kept his views out of it and just did his job. Just reading the news is harder than assholes like dodie a (aka Dori Munson) think.
Respect professionalism.
By comparison, Munson, Burbank, Ron and Ron and Dumber are embarrassments.
(Sailboats are for fags.)
Posted by: Blurman | April 27, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Tony was there six days and is no longer with KGMI, where did he go???
Posted by: Lip Service | June 07, 2011 at 09:29 PM
You're an idiot Blurman....comparing Tony - a hard news anchor - to MONSON or any of the other radio personalities on KGMI is like comparing apples to oranges. One is news reporting, the other is op-ed. Get a clue...
Posted by: Kevin | April 08, 2012 at 02:17 AM