Asheville News

WCQS says goodbye to local host of Morning Edition

Jason Sandford July 16, 2010

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

WCQS on Friday morning said goodbye to Steve Plever, who for the last two years greeted listeners of NPR’s “Morning Edition” with a soothing voice, updates about the weather and endless flattery of a coworker who followed him on the air.

Plever is going to work for UNC Asheville. His last day on the air with WCQS was Friday.

Plever got up every day at 5 a.m. to do the news show. He reported original stories and provided segues between “Morning Edition” spots, often waxing poetic about the weather outside or the vegetables available at local tailgate markets. And Plever always delivered a fawning introduction of Josh Jordan, host of the classical musical show that followed the news.

I finally got to meet Steve earlier this week at a reception for the new director of WCQS, Jody Evans. I enjoyed chatting and we started a mutual admiration club (Steve’s a loyal reader). Good luck, Steve!

By the way, WCQS is in the midst of a big fund-raising push. Consider supporting them.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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4 Comments

restless July 17, 2010

I’ll miss Steve and his clever quips and segways but this new gig sounds like a great opportunity.

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Steve Plever July 17, 2010

Thanks Jason. I have indeed been an appreciative reader and consider Ashegas to be one of our city’s best sources of info. (Why should Josh Jourdan get all the flattery?)

One tiny correction – I actually had to wake up shortly after 4 a.m. to be at work and functional at 5. One must be fully awake and caffienated to wax poetic about unwaxed vegetables.

Leaving Morning Edition will enable me to get me back in synch with my family, which has been 2 or 3 time zones away even though we share the same house. I’ve been chronically sleep deprived, so this is a good move for my health. But I will really miss the folks at WCQS, and the special relationship you get when listeners tune you in before breakfast.

My new job will be in News Services at UNC Asheville – writing press releases, web articles, and generally helping the University meet the information needs of the news media and the public. This is a good job for a great institution, I feel very fortunate and I’m excited to get started.

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Curious July 16, 2010

What will Plever be doing in his new job?

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Sean July 16, 2010

Hope he does well at UNC. I’ll miss his voice. It’s kindof like someone in the family going off to college. His was one of the few voices I’d hear everyday before I had any coffee. Not many people fit that description!

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