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December 5, 2002
New York City Dear Friends, We bring our show to New York every year so that people
back home will get the idea that we’re a success. Just like Santa
Claus got a big lift when the New York Sun told Virginia that, yes, there
is one. A show doesn’t really exist unless it plays New York and
goes up against the famed indifference of Gothamites. All part of the
lovely mythology of our business, the one that there’s no business
like. (In fact, L.A. is the really tough audience because they’re
checking voice mail every fifteen minutes, but never mind.) Anyway, we’re
glad you braved the subway, or the L.I.E., or the Merritt Parkway, or
the N.J. Turnpike, and came in to 43rd Street. Today’s show brings you the famed guitarist Leo
Kottke teamed with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, and, sitting in with the
Shoe Band, the rock ‘n’ roll jug band hero John Sebastian. And
the stylish Sue Scott and the reliable Tim Russell. And the fresh-faced
Fred Newman doing the creaking doors, cougars, dynamite explosions, men
falling into vats of raspberry gelatin, or whatever the scripts call for.
Last week, Fred was a talking saxophone, and it’s hard to think of
anyone else in America who could do that. Or Canada, for that matter.
I write the show on Wednesday and Thursday and it’s
given a read-through on Friday, then re-written, and broadcast on Saturday.
An exciting four-day week for me and New York is a good place to do it.
Nobody comes here to relax. It's a city for people who've had enough relaxation,
they need to wake up. At my age, Lord knows I need the stimulation. On
the upper West Side, where I hang out, you see a lot of us elderly on
the street, and you think, “Why would anyone care to retire to a
quiet haven when you could spend your twilight years in the hustle and
bustle of New York?” Death will be quiet enough. Hand me down my
walking cane, honey, and let’s go to Times Square and see what’s
shaking. ~Garrison Keillor |
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Singer and songwriter Andra Suchy talks about singing duets with Garrison, and her latest album, Little Heart.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
