Early Bird: A conversation with WFAE’s “Morning Edition” host, Marshall Terry

Since graduating from Appalachian State eight years ago, the 30-year-old has spent nearly his entire career either assisting, producing or hosting during NPR’s most listened to program.

I caught up with him this week to discuss everything from WFAE’s approach to reporting, his favorite hangout spots in the QC, and the story that will follow him a long, long time.

CA: What are some of the major stories you’ve covered recently?

Marshall: Everything going on in Raleigh with the state legislature. Lately it’s been all about the budget. The Senate released their budget this week, and the House released theirs a few weeks ago. So those two chambers have to get together and hash out the differences before they send a final budget to the governor to sign before the end of the fiscal year.

There are a lot of differences between the two budgets—how money is spent on education, for example – that could have an impact on us all. There are several other bills being debated that could also have a big impact including one that deals with gun permits. Anything that’s coming out of Raleigh is important these days. WFAE does a great job covering the capitol in general.

CA: I’m sure you get asked this a lot, but what’s it like working that early every weekday? 

Marshall: I try to get to work at a 3:45 am – an hour and 15 minutes before the show starts. What is it like to get up that early every day? It’s something I’ve done pretty constantly since I was 22 years old and something I’ve gotten used to. It’s not something I necessarily enjoy – I don’t think anybody would admit that. But it’s part of the job and it’s something I accept.

You make sacrifices – your friends might go to a happy hour on a Wednesday night, but I don’t go to those. I live with my girlfriend and she sometimes wants me to stay up and watch TV with her. So that’s tough. But for the most part, she’s good about it. It’s an adjustment and part of the job. It was one of my biggest considerations when I was hired as the full time host about a year ago.

CA: At least you get your afternoons free.

Marshall: You’re very right. You get to go to the dentist, get your car worked on. But you have to keep moving because the exhaustion will catch up with you. It’s not just hosting a show, it’s a physical thing – projecting your voice can be tiring.

CA: Do you do vocal exercises before you go on air?

Marshall: Not generally, but maybe I should!

CA: Do you have a favorite NPR reporter or newsreader?

I like a guy named Giles Snyder—he’s usually on during the weekend, but has been on a little more during the week lately. And there’s another newsreader I like named Jack Speer.

CA: Giles has a great rhythm to his voice.

Marshall: He does! I have this thing – at least in my head – whoever I follow during Morning Edition I like to think I am imitating them. Giles is my favorite to listen to because he has such a nice voice.

CA: What do you think WFAE brings to the table with their news reporting?

Marshall: I can sum it up in one word: Context. That is one of our major goals here, if not the biggest goal.  I’m not going to diminish other outlets in town, but we feel we do the best job of giving listeners context on a story. A story may appear on one of the TV stations – and I’m not knocking them – but it may be 20 seconds long. For some people, that’s all they might need. For our listeners, they want more to the story. So context is really what we strive to be the best at.

CA: I was looking at your bio on the WFAE website, and it said you like to see bands. I assume you’re not going during the week?

Marshall: Not anymore!

CA: When you do go out, what are your favorite venues?

Marshall: I like the Evening Muse a lot – they always have interesting musicians. I like the Visulite Theater quite a bit. As far as bands, I like a lot of stuff. My favorite band is probably Yo La Tengo – I’ve seen them about 15 times. There were times I would see them and then drive back and sleep under my desk for a few hours before helping Scott Graf (the former Morning Edition host) with the program. Those days are far gone.

CA: It’s funny you mention Yo La Tengo, because I hear some of their songs between stories or as promos on WFAE.

Marshall: That’s me. Any time you hear Yo La Tengo locally on NPR, that’s me. Even NPR will play them occasionally. Not only are they great on record and live, but they make great music for track beds.

CA: What restaurants do you like in Charlotte?

Marshall: I like Woodlands – an Indian place on Albemarle. My girlfriend and I go there quite a bit. We go to Landmark for breakfast once in a while. Viva Chicken in Elizabeth is great.

CA: What’s something you like to do in Charlotte that’s a little under the radar?

I love Independence Park, for sure. I like the section close to Hawthorne where there’s a little marker dedicated to someone who died in the Great War – World War I. You just don’t see things like that in Charlotte. Anything about old Charlotte, or forgotten Charlotte I love. I actually did a story recently on street cars in Charlotte – a lot of people don’t realize we had a street car a century ago. Oh, and I’m at Lunchbox Records and Tommy’s Pub quite a bit.

CA: I can’t let the conversation end without asking you about the video of you tasting one of the world’s hottest chili peppers–it wasn’t a pretty sight. I noticed the YouTube video isn’t up anymore. I guess that means you’re ready to move past it?

Marshall: I was ready to move past it pretty much immediately. The attention was great, but I’m not one for the spotlight or self-promotion. I love my job and the station and every chance I get to represent it, I happily do so. But eating that chili pepper was way bigger than I expected it to be.