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A Prairie Home Companion

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This article is about the historic radio show hosted by Garrison Keillor. For the later radio show hosted by Chris Thile, seeLive from Here.For the film, seeA Prairie Home Companion (film).

A Prairie Home Companion
Garrison Keillor and the cast members of A Prairie Home Companion inLanesboro, Minnesota(2007)
GenreComedy–music variety
Running time2 hours
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationMinnesota Public Radio
SyndicatesAmerican Public Media
StarringGarrison Keillor
(1974–1987, 1992–2016)
Sue Scott
Tim Russell
Fred Newman
Produced byGarrison Keillor
Original releaseJuly 6, 1974 –
September 2, 2016
Opening themeTishomingo Blues
Websiteprairiehome.org

A Prairie Home Companionis a weekly radiovariety showcreated and hosted byGarrison Keillorthat aired live from 1974 to 2016. In 2016, musicianChris Thiletook over as host, and the successor show was eventually renamedLive from Hereand ran until 2020.A Prairie Home Companionaired on Saturdays from theFitzgerald TheaterinSaint Paul, Minnesota;it was also frequently heard on tours toNew York Cityand other U.S. cities. The show is known for its musical guests, especiallyfolkand traditional musicians, tongue-in-cheek radio drama, and relaxed humor. Keillor's wry storytelling segment, "News from Lake Wobegon,"was the show's best-known feature during his long tenure.

Distributed byMinnesota Public Radio's distribution arm,American Public Media,A Prairie Home Companionwas heard on 690public radiostations in the United States at its peak in spring 2015 and reached an audience of four million U.S. listeners each week.[1]The show borrowed its name from a radio program in existence in 1969 that was named after thePrairie Home CemeterynearConcordia College,inMoorhead, Minnesota.[2]It inspired a 2006film of the same name,written by and featuring Keillor.

History[edit]

Origin[edit]

The Saturday-evening show was a partial spin-off ofA Prairie Home Morning Showwith Keillor andTom Keith,which ran from 6 to 9 a.m. onMinnesota Public Radioand was continued by Keith and Dale Connelly for many years asThe Morning Show.

After researching theGrand Ole Opryfor an article, Keillor became interested in doing a variety show on the radio. On July 6, 1974, the first live broadcast ofA Prairie Home Companiontook place onMinnesota Public Radio.That show was broadcast from St. Paul in the Janet Wallace Auditorium ofMacalester College.Twelve audience members turned out, mostly children.[3]The second episode featured the first performance on the show byButch Thompson,who became house pianist. Thompson stayed with the program until 1986 and frequently performed on the show until its 2016 conclusion.

In 1978, the show moved into the World Theater in St. Paul, which Minnesota Public Radio purchased and renovated in 1986 and renamed theFitzgerald Theaterin 1994. This is the same venue the program used to the end.

A Prairie Home Companionbegan national distribution in May 1980.[4]BecauseNational Public Radio(NPR) rejected the show due to its presidentFrank Mankiewiczperceiving the show as too expensive and insulting towards small towns, the show was initially distributed through a public radio satellite system that had been completed by June 1980 and allowed NPR member stations to distribute programs outside the NPR network.[4]In 1983, Minnesota Public Radio president William Kling started a new company to distributeA Prairie Home Companioncalled American Public Radio, which would later be renamedPublic Radio Internationalin 1994.[4][5]

Hiatus[edit]

The show went off the air in 1987, with a "final performance" on June 13, and Keillor married and spent some time abroad during the following two years. For a brief time, the show was replaced—both on the air and in the World Theater—byGood Evening,hosted byNoah Adams,a live variety show designed by ex-Prairie HomeandAll Things Consideredstaffers to retain the audience Keillor had cultivated over the years. However, many stations opted instead to continueAPHCrepeats in its traditional Saturday time slot.[6]

In 1989, Keillor returned to radio withThe American Radio Company of the Air(renamedGarrison Keillor's American Radio Companyin its second season), broadcast originally from theBrooklyn Academy of Music.The new program featured a broadly similar format toA Prairie Home Companion,with sketches and musical guests reflecting a more New York sensibility, rather than the country and folk music predominant inAPHC.Also, while Keillor sang and delivered a regular monologue onAmerican Radio Company,Lake Wobegon was initially downplayed, as he felt it was "cruel" to talk to aBrooklynaudience about life in a small town. During this period, Keillor revived the fullAPHCformat only for "annual farewell performances." In the fall of 1992, Keillor returned to the Fitzgerald Theater withARCfor the majority of the season, with Lake Wobegon and otherAPHCelements gradually but unmistakably returning to prominence.

Return to broadcast[edit]

A Prairie Home Companionat the 2011Minnesota State Fair

The following year, on October 2, 1993, the program officially reverted to theA Prairie Home Companionname and format.[7]

The show was originally distributed nationally by Minnesota Public Radio in association with Public Radio International. Later, its distributor was Minnesota Public Radio's distribution unit, American Public Media.[8]

Guest hosts[edit]

Chris Thile as guest host in 2016

SingerSara Watkinsof San Diego, California, hosted the January 15, 2011, broadcast. The format was the same, but Keillor appeared only as a guest actor and to deliver the "News from Lake Wobegon". He claimed he had taken the chance to see the show being performed for himself. It was reported that this could be the beginning of a trend toward Keillor's eventual retirement,[9]and on March 16, 2011, Keillor stated in an interview with theAARPthat he would most likely retire from the show by the time he turned 70 in August 2012.[10]

In September 2011, Keillor toldThe Tuscaloosa Newsthat his last broadcast would be recorded in "early July 2013", and that instead of a permanent replacement host, there would be "a whole group of people. A rotation of hosts",[11]but in December 2011 Keillor said he had changed his mind and reconsidered his plans to retire because he still enjoyed hosting the show.[citation needed]

On February 7 and 14, 2015, mandolinistChris Thilehosted the show (like Sara Watkins, a member ofNickel Creek). As when Watkins hosted, the format remained largely unchanged, but Keillor did not make an appearance. Instead, storyteller Tristan Jimerson appeared on the February 7 show and comedienne/storytellerElna Bakeron the February 14 show. Thile's bandPunch Brothersperformed on the February 7 show.[12]Thile was named permanent host of the show in late June 2015, and took over as permanent host on October 15, 2016.[13][14]

Keillor's departure[edit]

When Keillor formally announced his departure fromAPHCat the show's airing on July 21, 2015, he indicated that Thile would succeed him as permanent host in 2016.[15]Keillor recorded his final regular episode as host live at theHollywood Bowlbefore an audience of 18,000, on July 1, 2016; it was aired on the following day.[16]The episode was titled"Sumus Quod Sumus"(Latinfor 'We are what we are'),[17]and was a vocal duet show of "time-honored American ballads, British Invasion romps, country-western weepers, and Broadway classics," guest-starringSara Watkins,Sarah Jarosz,Aoife O'Donovan,Heather Masse,and Christine DiGiallonardo, alongside the "Royal Academy of Radio Actors,"Tim Russell,Sue Scott,andFred Newman,and theAPHCband, with music director and pianist Rich Dworsky and Bernie Dresel (drums), Larry Kohut (bass), Richard Kriehn (mandolin and fiddle), and Chris Siebold (guitar).[18]

Barack Obamarecorded a telephone call into the show, which ran on the Saturday broadcast,[16]and Keillor performed his last "Lives of the Cowboys" sketch as regular host,[16]with regulars Scott, Russell, and Newman, and including a series of duets with the guests Masse, O'Donovan, Jarosz, DiGiallonardo, and Watkins.[19]

While the July 2 Hollywood Bowl performance was the last regular episode ofA Prairie Home Companion,Garrison Keillor also hosted a final live performance titled "The Minnesota Show" at the Minnesota State Fair on September 2, 2016, including the last-ever "Guy Noir" and "News from Lake Wobegon" segments.[20]

Since his departure from the radio show, Keillor has continued to tour with his stage show also calledA Prairie Home Companion.[21][22]

Name change[edit]

On November 29, 2017, Minnesota Public Radio terminated its contract with Keillor because of "allegations of his inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him."[23][24][25]Because Keillor still owned artistic rights and the trademark to the show's name, MPR also announced that it would change the name.[26]After two episodes under the placeholder nameThe Show with Chris Thile,the new title was announced asLive from Herelive on the December 16, 2017, broadcast of the show.[27]MPR also announced it would cease distributing reruns ofA Prairie Home Companionfeaturing Keillor.[28]Keillor stated he had been "fired" from MPR, but he had technically not been employed by MPR/APM since 2002, working instead as an independent contractor.[29]When it was announced in 2019 thatLive from Herewas going to be based in and broadcast out of New York City, many Minnesotan fans publicly complained that the radio show was losing its Midwestern style.[30]Live from Herewas canceled in 2020.[31]

Broadcast archives[edit]

On April 13, 2018, Minnesota Public Radio posted a message stating its intent to reinstate the free online archives ofA Prairie Home CompanionandThe Writer's Almanac.[32]The portion of the PrairieHome.org website containing the archives was restored later in the year.

Format[edit]

On Air sign at the Fitzgerald Theater

From the show's inception until 1987, its theme song wasHank Snow's hit "Hello Love".[33]After 1987, each show has opened withSpencer Williams' composition "Tishomingo Blues"as the theme song, with lyrics by Garrison Keillor[34]that were written especially forA Prairie Home Companion.[35]

Music was a main feature of the program; the show was a significant outlet forAmerican folk musicof many genres, especiallycountry,bluegrass,blues,andgospel,but it also had guest performers from a wide variety of other styles of music, including classical, opera, and music from a number of different countries. The country musician and former record company executiveChet Atkinsappeared on the show many times, as did singer-songwritersMark Knopfler(lead guitarist andfrontmanof the bandsDire Straitsand theNotting Hillbillies) andJeff Lang.Folk/gospel duoRobin and Linda Williamshad been regular guests since 1976, and often join Keillor and another female performer, often Jearlyn Steele, to form "The Hopeful Gospel Quartet".Peter Ostroushko,Greg Brown,Jean Redpath,andPrudence Johnson,among others, were recurring guests on the program between 1974 and 1987. TheWailin' Jennysand Andra Suchy were also recurring guests, and when the show travelled, Keillor generally featured local musicians and acts.

Greetings from members of the audience to friends and family at home (frequently humorous) were read each week by Keillor just after the show'sintermission,at the top of the second hour. Birthdays and anniversaries of famous composers and musicians were also observed.

Features[edit]

The Rhubarb Sisters singing during taping of the show

Keillor and the ensemble performed comedyskits.Notable skits and characters often recur, such as the satirical "Guy Noir,Private Eye",which parodiedfilm noirandradio dramas.Guy Noir's popularity was such that the first few notes of the theme or the first lines of the announcer's introduction ( "A dark night in a city that knows how to keep its secrets..." ) often drew applause and cheers from the audience. Also regularly featured were the adventures of Dusty and Lefty, "The Lives of the Cowboys".

News from Lake Wobegon[edit]

One of the show's best-known features was Keillor's "News from Lake Wobegon", a weekly storytelling monologue, claiming to be a report from his fictitious hometown ofLake Wobegon,"the little town that time forgot and the decades cannot improve... where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average". The opening words of themonologueusually did not change: "Well, it's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, my hometown, out on the edge of theprairie."Keillor often poked fun at central Minnesota's largeScandinavian-AmericanandGerman-Americancommunities, and many of his fictional characters have names that reflect this. The "News from Lake Wobegon" did not have a set structure, but featured recurring characters and places such as the Chatterbox Café, the Sidetrack Tap, Pastor Ingqvist of the Lake WobegonLutheran Churchand his successor Pastor Liz, Father Emil of Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility Roman Catholic Church (a parody ofOur Mother of Perpetual Help), the Lake WobegonWhippetssports teams, various members of the Bunsen and Krebsbach families, and an assortment of nearby "Norwegian bachelor farmers".

In-jokesare sprinkled through the show, such as "Piscacadawadaquoddymoggin", a made-up word that's been used both for places and for people's names. The components of this made-up word are portions ofNative Americanplace names in the New England region of the United States, most of them in Maine (i.e.: Piscataqua, Passamaquoddy, and Androscoggin).

Annual "Joke Show"[edit]

Once a year the program featured a special "joke show", which generally included the Lake Wobegon monologue and musical acts, but with other skits replaced by the performers taking turns telling jokes. Humorists such asPaula PoundstoneandRoy Blount Jr.often made guest appearances on those shows, and listeners and audience members were encouraged to submit jokes for use on the air. Portions of such shows were incorporated into a book[36]andCDs.[37]

Fictional sponsors[edit]

A sign for "Guy's Shoes", one ofA Prairie Home Companion's fictitious sponsors

The show creates advertisements for fictional products, performed in the style of live old-time radio commercials. The show acknowledges its actualunderwritersat the beginning, end, and middle (break) of the show.

Prairie Home's most prominent "sponsor" is the fictitious "Powdermilk Biscuits". Before he and the band performed the product's jingle every week ( "Has your family tried 'em, Powdermilk?" ),Garrison Keillorwould extol Powdermilk's virtues in this way:

Heavens they're tasty, and expeditious. Give shy persons the strength they need to get up and do what needs to be done. Made from whole wheat raised by Norwegian bachelor farmers, so you know they're not only good for you, they're pure, mostly. Get 'em in the bright blue box with a picture of a biscuit on the front, or ready-made in the brown bag with the dark stains that indicate freshness.[38]

Among its other "sponsors", Bebop-A-ReebopRhubarb Pie(and Frozen Rhubarb Pie Filling) has been prominent, with ads featuring the Bebop-A-Reebop jingle, performed to the tune of "Shortnin' Bread":

One little thing can revive a guy
And that is a piece of rhubarb pie
Serve it up, nice and hot
Maybe things aren't as bad as you thought
Momma's little baby loves rhubarb, rhubarb
Bebopareebop rhubarb pie.[39]

The jingle is usually sung after a bombastic, sound-effect-enhanced tale of woe, and is immediately followed by Keillor asking, "Wouldn't this be a great time for a piece of rhubarb pie? Yes, nothing gets the taste of shame and humiliation out of your mouth quite like Bebop-A-Reebop Rhubarb Pie."[39][better source needed]

Another prominent "sponsor" is Bertha's Kitty Boutique, whose locations in the fictional "Dales" shopping centers ( "Roy'n'Dale,Airedale,Teasdale,Clydesdale,Chippendale,Mondale,and all the other fine shopping centers ") allude to various real people and things, while also parodying Minnesota's similarly named real-life malls (Southdale,Brookdale,Rosedale,andRidgedale). Additionally, there is The Catchup Advisory Board—its name a portmanteau of the common "catsup" and "ketchup" spellings—which has the tagline "Catchup: For the good times."[40]

Other "sponsors" have included:

  • Café Boeuf, a fictionally and exceptionally snobbish French restaurant in Lake Wobegon "where the elite meet to eat"[41]
  • Guy's Shoes—purveyor of Guy's All-Star Shoes, theConverse-like sponsor of the Shoe Band, which specializes in steel-toed shoes ( "so even when you strike out[ping!]you can walk away ")
  • The AmericanDuct TapeCouncil
  • The American Society of Sound Effects Specialists
  • Bob's Bank ( "Save at the sign of the sock", "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" )
  • The Bon Marché Beauty Salon
  • Earl's Academy of Accents
  • The Fearmonger's Shop, a purveyor of security devices for the perpetually paranoid
  • The Federation of Associated Organizations
  • Fred Farrell Animal Calls
  • Fritz Electronics ( "Where everything you need is on the Fritz"; a possible parody ofMuntz Electronics)
  • Jack's Auto Repair and Jack's Warm Car Service ( "All tracks lead to Jack's, where the bright shining lights show you the way to complete satisfaction" )
  • Marvin and Mavis Smiley seasonalbluegrassalbums
  • Midwestern Discount Store
  • Monback Moving & Storage, in which a mover can be heard directing a moving truck to back up (hence the name) while the truck's backup alarm can be heard beeping ( "Monback... Monback...[crunch]That's good. ")
  • Mournful Oatmeal, a parody ofQuaker Oats( "Calvinismin a box ")
  • The Professional Organization ofEnglish Majors(P.O.E.M.)
  • Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery ( "If you can't find it at Ralph's, you can darn well get along without it" )
  • Raw Bits breakfast cereal, a cereal for a select small target audience ( "Oat hulls and wheat chaff—it's not for everybody" )
  • Rent-a-Raptor ( "Rid your home of mice, rabbits, squirrels, and pesky boyfriends" )
  • The Sidetrack Tap

In addition, the recurring segment "The Lives of the Cowboys" featured its own Western-themed sponsors, including Prairie Dog Granola Bars ( "healthier than chewing tobacco and you don't have to spit" ) and Cowboy Toothpicks ( "the toothpick that's guaranteed not to splinter" ).

Alterations[edit]

While much of the show is directed towardradio comedy,a portion is usually devoted to some more sentimental and sometimes dark stories put together by Keillor and others. The program occasionally also features political satire. At the beginning of the June 5, 2004, show (broadcast fromMeadowbrook Musical Arts CenterinGilford, New Hampshire), Keillor announced that former U.S. PresidentRonald Reaganhad died. A member of the audience hooted and cheered loudly, but Keillor, a staunch Democrat, gave the Republican Reagan a warm tribute in the form of a gospel song. Similarly, in a 2002 show airing the weekend after the death of SenatorPaul Wellstone,Keillor changed the format of the show, starting it off with Wellstone's favorite segment, Guy Noir, skipping even the show's theme song.

Cast[edit]

Rich Dworsky playing piano on a live broadcast in 2015

Actors[edit]

Regularly appearing actors includedTim Russell(beginning in 1994[42]) andSue Scott(beginning in 1989[42]). When the show resumed asThe American Radio Company of the Airin November 1989, radio comedianBob Elliott,half of the longtime radio and comedy television duoBob and Ray,became a regular cast member.[43]Actor Bill Perry was a member.Walter Bobbiemade frequent appearances, as early as 1989, and continuing through 2006–2007.[42][44][45]Ivy Austinwas a regular contributing comedienne (and vocalist) in the early '90s.Allison Janneyalso appeared regularly in the mid 1990s.Prudence Johnsonhas performed frequently on the show as an actress (and a singer). Mark Benninghofer joined the cast as a substitute actor for a brief time after Russell broke his ankle in February 2009, forcing him to take a month of medical leave.Erica Rhodeshad been an occasional guest on the show, beginning in 1996 when she was 10 years old. Serena Brook joined the cast in October 2016 whenChris Thilebecame host.

Sound effects artists[edit]

The sound effects artists on the show,Tom KeithandFred Newman,primarily used mouth sounds for their effects, supplemented by props. Keith engineered the first two seasons of the show and then joined the cast. He performed on most shows until 2001. He retired doing his weekday morning radio show in 2008, but continued performing on Prairie Home broadcasts from the Fitzgerald Theater and other regional locations. He continued working on A Prairie home Companion until his death in 2011.[46]Newman eventually took over full-time after Keith passed away.[47]

Musicians[edit]

Regular musicians in Guy's All-Star Shoe Band include Richard Dworsky, acomposerwho appeared weekly as pianist, bandleader, and music director,Gary Raynoron bass and bass guitar, Peter Johnson on percussion,Jevetta Steeleon vocals, andAndy Steinon violin, tenor and bass saxophones, and vocals.[48]When the Shoe Band had a horn section, Keillor referred to them as the Shoe Horns.

Other frequent, occasional, former, or one-time musicians on the show include:

Film[edit]

Main article:A Prairie Home Companion (film)

Released on June 9, 2006,A Prairie Home Companionis a film about "a dying radio show that bears striking similarities to 'A Prairie Home Companion,'" with the actualAPHChome venue, the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul chosen to serve "asset piece,soundstageandframing device".[51]The film was written by Garrison Keillor and directed byRobert Altman,and shot digitally, with camera by Altman's son,Robert Altman Jr.;the film stars Keillor,Meryl Streep,Tommy Lee Jones,Lily Tomlin,Kevin Kline,John C. Reilly,Lindsay Lohan,Maya Rudolph,Woody Harrelson,Virginia Madsen,andL.Q. Jones.[51]APHCregular Rich Dworsky appears as the bandleader,[52]and served as the film's pianist, conductor, arranger, and composer. The film depicts the titular radio program'sbehind-the-scenesactivities, and the relational dynamics within the cast over its anticipated, imminent cancellation. The antagonist, Axeman, "who has come to shut the show down", is played by Tommy Lee Jones.[51]As described in a 2005 on-set piece by David Carr forThe New York Times,thefilm set's atmosphere had

a kind ofSpanky and Our Ganglet's-put-on-a-show quality, withcrew,marquee talentand "Prairie Home" acolytes and extras mixing freely. Thedailies,the traditional day's-end look at finished footage, usually include[d] about 75 people, a vivid reminder ofMr. Altman's penchant for collaborative filmmaking. And because music is such an important part of the movie and the radio show, the set always seem[ed] to be lifted by the pluck of amandolinor a three-partharmonyrehearsal.[51]

The film, which makes no reference to Lake Wobegon,[52]is offeature length,[53]with its financing provided by GreeneStreet Films,River Road Entertainment,and local Minnesota sources.[51]Its award nominations (2006, unless noted) include theBerlin International Film Festival-Golden Bearaward for best film, theNational Association of Film Critics-Bodil Awardfor Best American Film, theFilm Independent(film association)Independent Spirit Awardfor Best Director, theChicago Film Critics AssociationAward for Best Screenplay, theInternational Press Academy-Satellite Awardsfor Best Adapted Screenplay, theIndependent Filmmaker Project-Gotham Independent Film Awardfor Best Ensemble Performance, theBroadcast Film Critics Association-Critics' Choice Movie Awardfor Best Cast, and theCasting Society of America-Artios Awardfor Best Casting for Feature Film (Comedy); its wins include theYomiuri Shimbun(film association)Hochi Film Award(2007) for Best Foreign Film.[54]In addition, Meryl Streep was nominated for anInternational Press Academy-Satellite Awardsfor Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture),[verification needed]and won theNational Society of Film Critics Awardsfor the same category.[verification needed][54][better source needed][55]

Books[edit]

  • Lake Wobegon Days(1985),Viking PressISBN978-0-67080-514-3
  • A Prairie Home Companion Pretty Good Joke Book(2015), 6th ed., HighBridgeISBN978-1-62231-863-6

LP/CD releases[edit]

  • A Prairie Home Album[LP] (Minnesota Educational Radio)
  • A Prairie Home Companion Anniversary Album[2 LP] (1980, Minnesota Public Radio Inc.)
  • Tourists[LP] (1983, PHC)
  • Prairie Home Comedy: Radio Songs & Sketches by Garrison Keillor(1988, HighBridge)
  • Lake Wobegon Loyalty Days(1989, Virgin)
  • Garrison Keillor and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet(1992, Epic)
  • Shaking The Blues Away, Rob Fisher and The Coffee Club Orchestra with Garrison Keillor(1992, Angel)
  • Now It Is Christmas Again(1994, Angel)
  • Garrison Keillor's Comedy Theater: More Songs and Sketches from A Prairie Home Companion[3 CD] (1996, HighBridge)
  • Horrors! A Scary Home Companion[2 CD] (1996, HighBridge)
  • Pretty Good Jokes[2 CD] (2000, HighBridge)
  • Pretty Good Bits from A Prairie Home Companion(2003)
  • A Prairie Home Companion: English Majors: A Comedy Collection for the Highly Literate[2 CD] (2008, HighBridge)
  • Church People: The Lutherans of Lake Wobegon(2009, Highbridge)

Stories from Lake Wobegon[edit]

  • Gospel Birds and Other Stories of Lake Wobegon(1985). Includes the stories "Pastor Ingqvist's Trip to Orlando", "Mammoth Concert Tickets", "Bruno, the Fishing Dog", "Gospel Birds", "Meeting Donny Hart at the Bus Stop", "A Day at the Circus with Mazumbo", "The Tolleruds' Korean Baby", "Sylvester Krueger's Desk", and "Babe Ruth visits Lake Wobegon".
  • News from Lake Wobegon(April 1990). Includes the stories "Me and Choir", "A Day in the Life of Clarence Bunsen", "Letter from Jim", "Fiction", "The Living Flag", "The Tollefson Boy Goes to College", "Tomato Butt", "Chamber of Commerce", "Dog Days of August", "Mrs. Berge and the Schubert Carillon Piano", "Giant Decoys", "Darryl Tollerud's Long Day", "Hog Slaughter", "Thanksgiving", "The Royal Family", "Guys on Ice", "James Lundeen's Christmas", "The Christmas Story Retold", "New Year's from New York", and "Storm Home".
  • More News from Lake Wobegon(April 1990). Includes the stories "Rotten Apples", "O Death", "The Wise Men", "A Trip to Grand Rapids", "Truck Stop", "Smokes", "The Perils of Spring", "Let Us Pray", "Alaska", "Uncle Al's Gift", "Skinny Dip", "Homecoming", "Pontoon Boat", "Author", "Freedom of the Press", and "Vick's".
  • Lake Wobegon USA(September 1993). Includes the stories "The Krebsbachs' Vacation", "Prophet", "The Six Labors of Father Wilmer", "Fertility", "Aunt Ellie", "Duke's 25th", "Job-Hunting", "You're Not the Only One", "Blue Devils", "Nostalgia", "O Christmas Tree", "Pageant", "Messy Shoes", "Rhubarb", "Sweet Corn", "The Sun's Gonna Shine Someday", and "Yellow Ribbon".
  • Summer(May 1997). Includes stories from disc 2 ofNews from Lake Wobegon.
  • Fall(October 1997). Includes stories from disc 3 ofNews from Lake Wobegon.
  • Winter(December 1997). Includes stories from disc 4 ofNews from Lake Wobegon.
  • Spring(April 1998). Includes stories from disc 1 ofNews from Lake Wobegon.
  • Life These Days(October 1998). Includes the stories "Gladys Hits A Raccoon", "The World's Largest Pile", "My Cousin Rose", "The Risk Takers", "Pastor Ingqvist at the Mall", "Hunting Stories", "Sorrows of January", "Clarence Cleans His Roof", "Miracle of the Pastor's Dog", "War of the Krebsbachs", "Graduation", and "Spring" (printed insert).
  • Mother Father Uncle Aunt(May 1998). Includes the stories "Ball Jars", "Love While you Dare To", "Saturday Morning in The Bon Marché", "Family Trip to Yellowstone", "The Flood", "Bob Anderson's Last Dance", "Children Will Break Your Heart", "Ronnie and The Winnebago", "Carl's Christmas Pageant", and "The Tombstone".
  • Home on the Prairie(July 2003)
  • Never Better(2007)
  • Faith(April 2008 CD, 1989 Cassette Tape). Includes the stories "Pontoon Boat", "O Death", "Smokes", and "Let Us Pray" fromMore News from Lake Wobegon.
  • Hope(April 2008 CD, 1989 Cassette Tape). Includes the stories "Alaska", "The Perils of Spring", "A Trip To Grand Rapids", and "Author" fromMore News from Lake Wobegon.
  • Love(February 1999, 1989 Cassette Tape). Includes the stories "Truck Stop", "Uncle Al's Gift", "Rotten Apples", and "The Wise Men" fromMore News from Lake Wobegon.
  • Humor(October 1998, 1989 Cassette Tape). Includes the stories "Skinny Dip", "Homecoming", "The Freedom of the Press", and "Vick's" fromMore News from Lake Wobegon.

References[edit]

  1. ^"What's next after end of decades-long Keillor-MPR relationship?".Twin Cities.December 6, 2017.RetrievedDecember 8,2017.
  2. ^"PHC 25th anniversary website".prairiehome.publicradio.org.Archived fromthe originalon July 4, 2010.RetrievedDecember 15,2009.
  3. ^"About A Prairie Home Companion: A Brief History".A Prairie Home Companion.Minnesota Public Radio.RetrievedNovember 4,2019.
  4. ^abcYdstie, John (2010)."A Prairie Home Companion Goes National – But Not on NPR".This Is NPR: The First Forty Years.San Francisco: Chronicle Books. p.102.ISBN9780811872539.
  5. ^"PRI Fact Sheet ¦ The World from PRX".The World from PRX.RetrievedJune 19,2020.
  6. ^Bowermaster, Jon (December 13, 1987)."Fresh Voices Hope to Be Far From Wobegon".The New York Times.
  7. ^Songer, Marcia (2000).Garrison Keillor: A Critical Companion.Greenwood Publishing Group. pp.9–10.ISBN0-313-30230-8.
  8. ^"Listening Information | A Prairie Home Companion".www.prairiehome.org.Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2016.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
  9. ^"The news from Lake Wobegon: more guest hosts likely | State of the Arts".Minnesota Public Radio News. January 15, 2011.RetrievedOctober 9,2013.
  10. ^Kaufmann, Carol (2011-03-16).Garrison Keillor Announces Retirement.AARP Bulletin.Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  11. ^Cobb, Mark Hughes (2011-09-09).'Prairie Home Companion' tour comes to the Amp.The Tuscaloosa News.Page 5 of 5. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  12. ^Seel, Steve (February 7, 2015)."Musician Chris Thile subs for Keillor on APHC".Minnesota Public Radio News.RetrievedFebruary 9,2015.
  13. ^"Garrison Keillor hosts final A Prairie Home Companion episode".The Guardian.London.Associated Press.July 2, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 8,2017.
  14. ^Charlton, Lauretta.'A Prairie Home Companion' Gets a New Host — and Maybe a Future.Vulture (June 30, 2015). Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  15. ^Matthews, Cameron (July 21, 2015)."It's Official: Chris Thile to Become Full Time Host of 'A Prairie Home Companion'".thebluegrasssituation.com.RetrievedJuly 21,2015.
  16. ^abcAP Staff (July 2, 2016)."Garrison Keillor Hosts Final A Prairie Home Companion Episode".The Guardian.RetrievedNovember 30,2016– via Associated Press (AP).
  17. ^Beyette, Beverly (September 18, 1985)."Fishing for Meaning in Lake Wobegon Waters: Garrison Keillor Reflects on the Success of His Semi-Autobiographical Best Seller".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.
  18. ^APM Staff (July 2, 2016)."Sumus Quod Sumus".PrairieHome.org.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 1,2016.[Quote:] hosted by Garrison Keillor, Show #1557, July 1, 2016, Rebroadcast from July 2, 2016
  19. ^Keillor, Garrison; et al. (July 2, 2016)."Script: The Lives of the Cowboys, July 2, 2016".PrairieHome.org.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2017.RetrievedDecember 1,2016.
  20. ^APM Staff (September 2, 2016)."The Minnesota Show".PrairieHome.org.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2016.RetrievedJune 20,2021.
  21. ^"Former public radio show 'Prairie Home Companion' coming to town with host Garrison Keillor".Port City Daily.October 2, 2023.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  22. ^"2024 performances".Garrison Keillor.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
  23. ^"Minnesota Public Radio".Minnesota Public Radio.RetrievedDecember 4,2017.
  24. ^Justin, Neal (November 29, 2017)."Garrison Keillor reportedly fired for improper behavior".Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  25. ^Baenen, Jeff (November 29, 2017)."Garrison Keillor fired over alleged improper behavior".News and Record.Greensboro, NC.Associated Press.RetrievedNovember 29,2017.
  26. ^Salam, Maya (November 29, 2017)."Minnesota Public Radio Fires Garrison Keillor Over Allegations of Improper Conduct".The New York Times.
  27. ^"Live from Here: A Brief History".Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2017.RetrievedDecember 16,2017.
  28. ^"Statement from Minnesota Public Radio Regarding Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion"(Press release).Minnesota Public Radio.RetrievedNovember 29,2017.
  29. ^Staff, MPR News."Keillor's conduct: What we know and don't know".RetrievedDecember 4,2017.
  30. ^Ross, Jenna (June 29, 2019)."'It's just kind of sad': Minnesota pride takes a hit as our radio shows move to New York ".Star Tribune.RetrievedSeptember 20,2019.
  31. ^Wyllie, Julian."APM/MPR eliminates 28 positions, ends 'Live From Here'".Current.RetrievedJune 16,2020.
  32. ^"MPR Reaches Agreement with Garrison Keillor to Restore Public Access to Online Archives",Minnesota Public Radio,retrieved April 13, 2018.
  33. ^Sawyer, Bobbie Jean (September 12, 2016)."The Country Roots of 'A Prairie Home Companion'".Wide Open Country.Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2016.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
  34. ^[1]Justin, Neal. Daher, Natalie. "Chris Thile addresses scandal around his 'Prairie Home' predecessor Garrison Keillor". Associated Press News online. December 2, 2017
  35. ^Barton, Chris."Garrison Keillor brings 'A Prairie Home Companion' to a close at the Hollywood Bowl".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
  36. ^A Prairie Home Companion Pretty Good Joke Book(2015), 6th ed., HighBridgeISBN978-1-62231-863-6
  37. ^A Prairie Home Companion Pretty Good Jokes Live!Audio CD – Audiobook, HighBridge
  38. ^Lee, Judith Yaross (1991).Garrison Keillor: A Voice of America.Studies in Popular Culture. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi. pp.35,85.ISBN978-1617033995.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.
  39. ^abKeillor, Garrison;Tim Russell;Sue Scott&Fred Newman(February 14, 2004)."Rhubarb [Segment;A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor] "(transcript).Saint Paul, MN: American Public Media.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.[Contributing performer/writer names for this program were inferred by a Wikipedia editor from initials appearing in this source, based on regular cast information appearing elsewhere.]
  40. ^Keillor, Garrison; Russell, Tim; Scott, Sue & Dworsky, Rich (February 4, 2012)."Catchup [Segment;A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor] "(streaming video).Saint Paul, MN: American Public Media.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.
  41. ^Keillor, Garrison; Russell, Tim (April 28, 2012)."Café Boeuf [Segment;A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor] "(transcript).Saint Paul, MN: American Public Media.RetrievedNovember 30,2016.[Contributing performer/writer names for this program were inferred by a Wikipedia editor from initials appearing in this source, based on regular cast information appearing elsewhere.]
  42. ^abc"25 Years of Pretty Good Radio: Timeline".Saint Paul, MN: American Public Media. 2000.RetrievedDecember 13,2016.
  43. ^Kimble, Lindsay (February 3, 2016)."Comedian Bob Elliott—Father of Actor Chris Elliott and Grandfather to SNL Alumna Abby Elliot—Dies at 92".People.RetrievedDecember 13,2016.
  44. ^"Best Direction of a Musical: Walter Bobbie".Playbill.June 1, 1997.RetrievedDecember 13,2016.
  45. ^"Walter Bobbie: Credits".AllMusic.December 13, 2016.RetrievedDecember 13,2016.
  46. ^Slotnik, Daniel E. (November 1, 2011)."Tom Keith, Creator of Radio Soundscapes, Dies at 64".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
  47. ^Boeni, Meg (June 12, 2013)."Mouthing Off: The Art of Prairie Home Companion's Fred Newman".Mental Floss.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
  48. ^"The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band | Regular Performers | A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media".prairiehome.publicradio.org.American Public Media. Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2017.RetrievedApril 19,2017.
  49. ^Collins, Bob (May 14, 2015)."The man who put the swing in our prairie home".NewsCut.
  50. ^Bream, Jon (February 2, 1996)."Customers fall in line just as Neil Young and partner's vapor records materializes".Star Tribune.Minneapolis-St. Paul.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  51. ^abcdeCarr, David (July 23, 2005)."Lake Wobegon Goes Hollywood (or Is It Vice Versa?), With a Pretty Good Cast".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 8,2016.
  52. ^abKaufman, Peter (July 28, 2005)."Radio for the Eyes: Robert Altman and Garrison Keillor, Unlikely 'Prairie' Film Companions".The Washington Post.RetrievedDecember 8,2016.
  53. ^"A Prairie Home Companion (2006): Overview".Digital Film Cloud Network. December 8, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2016.RetrievedDecember 8,2016.
  54. ^ab"A Prairie Home Companion (2006): Accolades & Awards".Digital Film Cloud Network. December 8, 2016.RetrievedDecember 8,2016.
  55. ^The NSFC was awarded to Streep for her performances in this as well as inThe Devil Wears Prada(2006).

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Archives at
LocationMusic Division, Library of Congress
SourceMusic of Garrison Keillor's American Radio Company
How to use archival material
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