Michael Garfield was an influencer before the word was connected to online dancing and "get ready with me" moments.
"I had to do it the old-fashioned way," Garfield told mikemcguff.com. "I had to shake hands, knock on doors, and promote myself way before social media."
All that work is paying off as the broadcaster connected to the "High Tech Texan" brand is expanding his weekend 950 KPRC Houston show to Talk Radio 1190 KFXR Dallas and News Radio 1200 WOAI San Antonio (already airing in the Alamo City, hitting DFW airwaves this weekend).
With the syndicated radio show heading to other big-market Texas stations, Garfield's iHeartMedia boss, Bryan Erickson, told him, "It's a good thing you didn't call yourself the High Tech Houstonian."
That name never materialized because Garfield, AKA Garf to his fans, has been a statewide presence for many years, going back to where many people first heard of him, as the voice and face for then Time Warner Cable's "Road Runner" high-speed internet service. He would later contribute to WFAA 8 DFW.
Garfield's "High Tech Texan" branding moved from ad campaigns to the radio for the then eight Clear Channel Houston stations, including his now decades-running show on 950 KPRC.
In fact, at 23 years running, Garf's radio show is the longest-running local radio show in the history of the 100-year-old KPRC-AM. That gives Garf the second-longest tenure at the now-named iHeartMedia Houston radio stations, only behind Sunny 99.1 KODA morning host Dana Tyson.
Now that the long-lasting local show is going to North and South Texas, Garfield will introduce himself to the new listeners so they know he is beyond a potentially boring tech show about fixing computers.
"That's the last thing I will do or I have ever done," Garfield explained. "It's more about consumer lifestyle and products. I actually talk more about car and truck test drives and new recommendations than I talk about computers and laptops."
He certainly has the scoop on new auto releases. As a Texas Auto Writers Association member, Garfield no longer uses his personal car. A new one is delivered to his house every week for review. He estimates that in the past 15 years, he has test-driven more than 800 cars.
Beyond cars, Garfield delves into fashion trends and pop culture, all with a sense of humor.
"I answer many questions that people have before they go out and make purchases, large purchases, expensive purchases," Garfield told me. "But if you don't entertain them, I don't think a lot of people continue to tune in."
Even though he now joins the ranks of syndicated Houston radio show hosts such as Michael Berry and Jesse Kelly, Garfield avoids political talk.
"I do not engage in politics, but I, without a doubt, have my opinions, and I've probably ticked off a lot of Aggies over the years with my love for the Texas Longhorns," said Garfield, who attended the 2024 SEC Championship in a decked out University of Texas themed private jet. "That's about as controversial as I'll get."
While his radio career has steadily beamed through the airwaves, Garfield is also ready to supercharge his television resume.
"I started on TV," Garf said. "My first job was on QVC. I was the youngest show host ever to be on QVC at 24 years old. To be on national TV, you had to learn how to talk to viewers, position, and sell products."
The QVC experience landed Garfield on KPRC 2 Houston mornings in the early 2000s before radio and the Road Runner ads
Now, you can find him down the dial at KHOU 11 as a live field correspondent with Deborah Duncan on "Great Day Houston." He will also fill in as the "Great Day" host one day next week while Duncan taking time off.
"TV has always been a goal, it's always been a dream," Garf admitted. "I love doing it and I hope I can continue to do it before I get wrinkly and gray."
Not that Benjamin Button, like Garfield, has to worry about aging quickly with his daily workouts and the great head of hair he says he inherited from his mother.
