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Special Guests LEO KOTTKE was born in Athens, Georgia,
but grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he began playing the trombone.
Kottke learned theory and harmony from playing the trombone, but was
introduced to his instrument of choice, the guitar, by his mom. When
he was 12 she bought him a dime store guitar to entertain him when he
was sick with mono. Kottke is now a self-taught guitarist who is renowned
as one of the most innovative acoustic guitarists of all time. He has
released twenty-five albums and recorded with artists like Rickie Lee
Jones, Lyle Lovett and John Gorka, although he usually performs solo.
Kottke plays and writes music for the guitar and tours all over the
US, Australia and Europe. He was also inducted into the Guitar Player
Magazine's Hall of Fame. THE NILSSON SISTERS grew up in Anoka,
Minnesota and learned to play violin from their grandfather. Although
they live and work separately, the Nilsson Sisters enjoy combining their
musical talent whenever possible. Kristina Nilsson received her Masters
degree from the New England Conservatory and is an active freelance
musician in the Boston area. She is a founding member of the Pro Arte
Chamber Orchestra and serves as its Concertmaster, and is also a member
of the Boston Pops. Elsa Nilsson graduated from the Curtis Institute
of Music in Philadelphia and has served as Concertmaster of the Pennsylvania
Ballet Company Orchestra. In 1977 Elsa was offered a position with the
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and she has been with the orchestra ever
since. Jenny Lind Nilsson studied violin at the New School of Music
in Philadelphia and the Manhattan School of Music. Jenny is an active
freelance musician in the Twin Cities and the New York City area and
she plays viola with the New York Symphonic Ensemble.
DAN NEWTON, a.k.a. "Daddy
Squeeze," studied folklore and music at the University of Nebraska
and traveled extensively in the British Isles and across the U.S., learning
whatever he could about regional music and food. Dan now resides in
St. Paul where he maintains his life-long fascination with all things
spicy, pungent food, French Roast coffee, dark beer, Jug-band, Cajun
Gypsy and Cumbia music, and unbelievable stories. He collects hot sauce,
and enjoys playing baseball and watching Betty Boop cartoons with his
son, Walker. Dan spends most his time playing accordion with his group,
the "Café Accordion Orchestra," performing the repertoire
of the popular Parisian dance bands of the 1920s and 30s, Musette orchestras.
He also performs regularly with country blues singer and guitarist Dr.
John Walker as "Daddy Squeeze and the Doctor," and with the
bands Jumbo Ya Ya, Guys Can Talk, dotCombo, and Art Carnage. He has
appeared on recordings by Prudence Johnson, the Proclaimers, Peter Ostroushko,
Son Volt, and Neal & Leandra. In 2002 Dan released his 7th CD,
La Vie Musette.
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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).
