Lee will retire after 32 years at WCCO Radio

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is honoring WCCO Radio Host Dave Lee in the U.S. Senate. During his 32 years with the station, Lee served as a weekend host of News Talk 830 and co-host of the “morning drive,” eventually taking over the show in 1997.

“Dave is a titan of Minnesota radio, bringing his signature warm demeanor into the cars and homes of others for more than three decades. It is with that same kind spirit that Dave has contributed so much to communities across Minnesota, raising money for worthy causes and getting people the information they need to start their day. I will miss him on the airwaves, but after all he has done for our state, he certainly deserves the chance to start sleeping in! I wish him all the best in this next chapter,” said Klobuchar.

Originally from Hatton, North Dakota, Dave auditioned for KRAD, a local radio station in East Grand Forks, to earn extra money for college. When the station saw potential in him, it offered him a nine-hour country music shift, launching his radio career. From there, he volunteered to help out with sports coverage, and when he graduated from college, he stayed at the station. As he puts it, “When you are passionate about something, it never feels like you are going to work.”

After years at KRAD in East Grand Forks and KFGO in Fargo, he became a weekend host of News Talk 830 on WCCO. Dave went on to join the legendary Roger Erickson as co-host of the morning drive and then took on solo duties when Roger retired in 1997. 

Dave is a six-time winner of Minnesota’s Sportscaster of the Year, and he earned three Emmy Awards for his reporting on television. He is also a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award, several awards from the Associated Press, and a nomination for the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Radio Award.

Full text of the statement for the record can be found HERE and below:

Mr. President, today I rise to honor and pay tribute to Dave Lee, a radio host and Minnesota legend who is retiring after 32 years at WCCO radio on April 30, 2021. 

Hailing from Hatton, North Dakota, Dave did not always know he would be a radio personality. He spent his summers in high school throwing hay bales, picking potatoes and hoeing beets. When a friend recommended he audition for KRAD, a local radio station in East Grand Forks, Dave was just hoping to earn a little extra money for college. But the station saw a spark in him and offered him a nine-hour country music shift. From there, he volunteered to help out with sports coverage, and when he graduated college, he stayed at the station. As he puts it, “When you are passionate about something, it never feels like you are going to work.”

That’s how Dave’s voice was introduced to the airwaves, and after years at KRAD in East Grand Forks and KFGO in Fargo, he became a weekend host of News Talk 830 on WCCO. He didn’t know at the time, but WCCO would be his home for the next 32 years. Dave went on to join the legendary Roger Erickson as co-host of the morning drive and then took on solo duties when Roger retired in 1997. 

For many Minnesotans, Dave’s voice was as much a part of their morning as their cup of coffee. Commuters counted on him for traffic updates, students looked to him for snow day announcements, and we all knew we could rely on him for honest news reporting and engaging interviews. Over the course of his career, he interviewed an impressive roster of personalities, from Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, to baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan, to actress Julie Andrews. He also had countless incredible interviews with elected officials—Democrats and Republicans alike. 

Some conversations were serious, talking about the policy fight or issue of the day, but sometimes his interviews were just plain fun. I still have great memories of joining him at the WCCO booth at the Minnesota State fair and “Minnesota Hospital” soap opera spoof skit, where I was given the role of Nurse Helen and Sid Hartman played the infamous “Dr. Kidney Hartman.” 

For years, we’ve also been treated to Dave’s sports coverage. He did the play-by-play for the Minnesota Gophers for a decade and occasionally filled in as announcer for the Minnesota Twins. He brought his running commentary to the television broadcasts of the Minnesota State High School Boys and Girls basketball tournaments and covered University of St. Thomas football games on WCCO. 

His joyful and informative commentary made him a six-time winner of Minnesota’s Sportscaster of the Year, and he earned three Emmy Awards for his reporting on television. He is also a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award, several awards from the Associated Press, and a nomination for the National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Radio Award.

To so many Minnesotans, Dave was a titan of Minnesota radio, providing information and entertainment with his signature warm demeanor. And it was with that same kind spirit that Dave did so much to give back, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital. After all Dave has done for our community, I have to admit, he deserves the chance to start sleeping in. 

Dave, even though I’ll miss having you on the airwaves, I know that this is not goodbye, and I wish you all my best.

Thank you. I yield the floor.

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