What if the news sounded more like this?

April's still missed in Cleveland. She's a brilliant interviewer. I often thought "Hey, I would ask that too." when she questioned guests.

I know the folks at ideastream work hard but no one's really taken April's place.

You see, April Baer used to work for WCPN here in Cleveland, and for years I woke up listening to April as I got ready for work and on my commute. She was always active in our community and presented interesting local stories in a conversational voice. You do feel like she is talking only with you. Our loss when she left WCPN is Oregon's gain. It is my hope my vote for April will bring her back to my radio on a regular basis. Good luck April. Do your typical great work and I am sure America will pick you as number 1.

Ed Shank, Berea, OH

That voice! Thanks to April, I have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. Maybe it's because she has a voice and spirit that transcends the physical boundaries of radio, making it sound like she's right in your room. "Okay, okay, April, I'm getting up. Geez!" Yeah, sometimes I talk back to April during her broadcasts. "April, you're killing me. You didn't just say that! Ah, but you did. You are wonderful." She certainly has a way of pulling the listener into the story. It's as though she's talking only to you. I have a friend who routinely text messages me April-isms. I suppose most Oregonians feel like they know April pretty well, definitely on a first name basis. She's not just relaying the news. You can hear her thinking about the news. As a listener, I've grown to trust April. She cares about her community and the world's community; it's all in her voice.

*high five*

bee jellyfish
http://www.beejellyfish.com

I liked everything about this. Best of luck, and keep up the fine work.

Schup57

After listening to dozens of these submissions, I find myself hearing broad categories (likely of my own design.) And yours fits into the category of Someone With Huge Potential. No potential public-radio program will be a solo project, and I think that's why the judges are looking for that host-y X factor more than show pitches. Some of the show pitches are great, and reveal a tremendous "hostiness" by the submitter. Still, whomever advances eventually will have a mentor and together they'll develop a prospective program. As I listened to your submission, I hear a seasoned voice, a plugged-in and intelligent personality and someone ready RIGHT NOW to make the jump to that next level. You don't sell me the show you'd do, but I don't miss that at all. Not at all. What I hear is huge potential for that next level. It's funny - I listened twice and the word that came to mind was "continuity." I would not be surprised at all if a year or so from now public radio began promo-ing a new show that sprang from the first-ever PRTQ, and there you were, leading off. I can hear it. Best - patrick

Hey, great job. Your voice and style are both friendly and intimate. It was a joy to listen to.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1154

Conversational, professional, interesting. There aren't a whole lot of entries in the contest where I'm surprised to see the 2 mins has already flown by, but that's the case with yours. Good luck.

You've got an excellent command of your material and are a pleasure to listen to. Good luck!
~laurel

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6371

*A first kiss, a dental emergency, identifying the Big Man on Campus and talking back to Punky Brewster.

Interesting, succint, thoughtful. I wish I could get my news from April every morning. And she's an Oregonian too! Why isn't there a "super-excellent" rating?

"Nothing is as far away as one minute ago" -- Jim Bishop, newspaper columnist and author

As an OPB listener, I couldn't be happier to have April on our airwaves. Her humor, her smart sensibilities and those dulcet tones are always a pleasure to hear. When you win, April, you have to start your new show here. Deal?

And an interesting look at the news.

April, you are good, no doubt here. I do wonder what lead you to pick this particular piece to submit. Was it your best, or do you believe including: President, shock value, and NPR, all to contribute points in the overall scoring?

You sounded just like a regular NPR Host person. Great job.

Lynn Kindler, The "Idea" Coach
Please listen to my tape at http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/52 and vote!!
www.sacredpathcoaching.com

Love the way this short piece brings in so many perspectives. I miss April's call-in show in Cleveland. She knows how to bring things together and hit the important points. We need more radio like this.

April, what a pleasant voice and inviting nature you have. If the news sounded more like that, I would spend less of it in the shower. Way to go.

NPR and beyond!
NASA Janet

April IS the voice of morning radio in Portland, Oregon.

Outstanding entry.

Chaz Mann

Wise beyond her years, her voice is a balm for sore ears.

Even better than the sound of coffee brewing! Plus your voice easily beats everything else I've heard on this site. Go April!

I would love to hear April on her own show on NPR. She brought incredible reporting skills and spot-on delivery to the morning show in cleveland, and I still miss her voice!

Well, I was going to use the "maple syrup voice," but now I'll just have to say that April Baer is a pleasure to listen to, for any reason, any time... and so smart, and so cute, and so worldly.... Good luck! Brooke

A voice like warm maple syrup, wry humour, and searing intelligence - the sort of host one could get addicted to instantly. We in Europe need more Americans on the radio like this to smooth the international relations wrinkles, so please - shower us with more April now!

There is something about a familiar voice that is just so pleasing and comforting. It's funny but this is why I've listened to NPR for so many years. The voices of Susan Stamberg, Bob Edwards, and on and on were familiar friends I'd never met.

April's voice was part of that family on the local level.

Wonderful to hear you again - sounding better than ever. I hope you go far.

I liked your voice and delivery. I want to hear more!

that voice! Nice to hear another Oregonian on here. I didn't know you had your own podcast, April. I'd really like to hear more.
--
Julie
Please check out my entry at http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/458

Nice work, April. You sound great, as always.
Good to see you here.

Dan Moulthrop

I can hear the evergreens in your voice. You capture the tone and attitude of the Great Pacific Northwest--independent, wry, and satirical, but never at the expense of softening the news angle. Great job. Good luck.

Jay

I would totally listen to you deliver the news. You've got a great voice, and your delivery is energetic without being hyperactive - that's a tough balance to achieve. Nice job!

Nice job. I enjoyed your voice and your perspective.