Forget politics, let's talk about something fun
I woke up this morning realizing that “woke” is now gone from the political vocabulary. It’s only used as an insult by people who never knew what it was about. The Democrats lost the Virginia election because they nominated an old hack; wokeness had nothing to do with it. “Woke” was an arrogant term never used by mature people except ironically. The fact is, we all have our weird biases and prejudices, I do, you do, it does, they do, and the point is to get a grip and be sweet. Or at least be civil.
Go to Garrison Keillor and Friends on Substack to read the rest of THE COLUMN >>> Become a member of THE BACK ROOM on our Substack page for exclusive access to News from Lake Wobegon stories, archived goodies, excerpts from unpublished works, previews of other works, a second weekly column, and on occasion, a full-length video stream of a show from 2015 to 2016. Also, if you shop in the store, THE BACK ROOM subscribers receive 20% discounts. (Subscription to The Back Room: $6 per months or $65 annually.) |
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This week on "A Prairie Home Companion"
A classic show sure to warm your heart as we travel back and revisit one of the earliest shows in the on-line archive. This show is one of two that was cleared shortly after Mr. Chet Atkins passed away. Chester Atkins, Mr. Guitar, was one of the first well-known artists to take a fancy to our little show. The weekly PHC broadcast went national in 1980 and was the first show offered to public radio stations on a new satellite hookup. Stations were hesitant to add a variety show featuring folk/Americana music. Chet Atkins became a fan, wrote to the show that he would like to appear. That was in 1982. He ended up giving the show some added exposure plus a level of respect that allowed many more stations to add it — and many more fans to find it. Chet became a semi-regular, toured with the show, produced/appeared on several albums, and became one of Garrison’s and the show’s best friends and cheerleaders. Here is a broadcast from 1985 featuring Chet, the legendary Johnny Gimble, Taj Mahal, Carlos Andrade, and the King Kamehameha Choir. It begins with the intro of “Hello Love” and includes Powdermilk Biscuits, a letter from Jack, the Minnesota Language System, and a host of incredible music and sounds. The island spirit will warm you up on this November day. All this plus the latest news from your favorite small town: Lake Wobegon. Join us Saturday for a listen via our Facebook page at 5 p.m. CT (or click the link below). Listen to the Show >>>
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More about this week’s featured guests
Guitarist, vocalist, record producer Chet Atkins was admired by legions of music fans and fellow musicians alike. He was a favorite Prairie Home guest, and his passing in 2001 was a heavy blow to the APHC cast, crew, and staff. Steve Wariner — a stellar picker in his own right — summed up Atkins’ artistry: “Try to do what he does technically. Then try to do it with his touch, tone, and feeling, and you’re reminded that you can’t out-Chet Chet. He was something else.” “Mr. Sandman” >>>
View available music >>>
Taj Mahal was born in New York City as Henry Saint Clair Fredericks and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. His mother was a schoolteacher who sang gospel, and his father was a piano-playing West Indian jazz arranger. Taj’s interest in the blues began at the University of Massachusetts in the early 1960s. By the time he graduated with a BA in Agriculture in 1964, he could play bass, piano, acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, harmonica, and assorted flutes. His study of blues history led him into R&B, rock, jazz, Caribbean and West African music, and zydeco, and he hit the Boston folk circuit. He has recorded countless albums, won Grammys and other honors, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from the BBC and the Americana Music Association. “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” >>>
View available music >>>
The acclaimed fiddler Johnny Gimble was a guest on the show many times. Upon his passing, Garrison had this to say on the show that aired that Saturday.
“One of our favorite people,” Mr. Keillor said about him, and then proceeded to sing a song he’d written as a tribute to his guest. It went, in part, like this:
His name’s Johnny Gimble, and now he’s a symbol for his fabulous fiddling skills,
He can play “Darling Nelly” like Stéphane Grappelli, and tunes that are old as the hills,
He can play that “Orange Blossom” so the people would toss ’em dimes, quarters, and some dollar bills,
He played shows and dances from Texas to Kansas with a fiddler by the name of Bob Wills.
Watch “Owed to Johnny Gimble” >>>
Watch interview between Aly Bain and Johnny Gimble >>>
View available music >>>
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GARRISON KEILLOR and COMPANY Events The holidays bring about a great time to gather together with old friends. And with that in mind, Garrison and Company are hitting the road to sing a few holiday classics and share a few stories, limericks, and poetry. We hope you can come gather with us to celebrate the season! View the tour schedule >>> |
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The Lake Wobegon Virus Softcover |
Now in paperback. Bestselling author and humorist Garrison Keillor returns to one of America’s most beloved mythical towns — a town beset by a contagion of alarming candor.
A mysterious virus has infiltrated the good people of Lake Wobegon, transmitted via unpasteurized cheese made by a Norwegian bachelor farmer, the effect of which is episodic loss of social inhibition. Mayor Alice, Father Wilmer, Pastor Liz, the Bunsens and Krebsbachs, formerly taciturn elders, burst into political rants, inappropriate confessions, and rhapsodic proclamations, while their teenagers watch in amazement. Meanwhile, a wealthy outsider is buying up farmland for a Keep America Truckin’ motorway and amusement park, estimated to draw 2.2 million visitors a year. Clint Bunsen and Elena the hometown epidemiologist to the rescue, with a Fourth of July Living Flag and sweet corn feast for a finale. Get the BOOK >>> |
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| From the Archives: The Best of 1982 (newest release) |
Mr. Keillor’s tales of the fictional Lake Wobegon, Minn., its people and the businesses that “sponsor” the show are the ties that bind the show together. Listeners share in the ups and (mostly) downs of the Lake Wobegon Whippets baseball team, study the menu of Dorothy’s Chatterbox Cafe, wonder how Lake Wobegon’s favorite daughter, Barbara Ann Bunson, is doing at the University of Minnesota, cheer the attributes of Powdermilk Biscuits (made from whole wheat grown in the rich bottomlands of the Lake Wobegon valley by Norwegian bachelor farmers).
From the Archives is a deep dive into the PHC archive, unearthing stories season by season. And here is the collection featuring the stories from 1982. Lake Wobegon experiences extreme cold and shuts people in their homes to feuds, frustrations, plumbing issues, and other crazy antics. There are memories of romance with Donna Bunsen at the laundromat and the Diener boy’s first drag on a cigarette, landing his car in the pond. In fall, we hear about the demise of Irene Anderson’s 20 oz. tomato and the avalanche of squash from the attic. Christmas is nearly perfect with the exception of Einer’s reading of the Gospel. 3 CDs.
Newest release, available to ship December 1. |
Get the CDs >>> |
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| A Prairie Home Companion Bluetooth Speaker Make listening to your favorite show very easy every Saturday night!Enjoy a clear and powerful sound from this 3 watt Bluetooth version 4.2 speaker. Built with a powerful 1200 mAh battery to play music for up to 6 hours. Plug in to use as charging pad. Place wireless charging compatible phone to the top to charge. Includes a 1200 mAh battery, built in music control and microphone. Bluetooth working range is 33 feet. Get the Speaker >>> |
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