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A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

September 4, 2004
This week it's a live broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair. This annual Mecca for Norwegian Bachelor Farmers hosts a show from the historic State Fair Grandstand. We welcome folk star Shawn Colvin, Minnesota-based a capella quartet Tonic Sol-Fa, and the Marching Wolfpack of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, as guests, as well as the regular crew: The Royal Academy of Radio Acting, Tim Russell and Sue Scott; sound effects from Tom Keith; and Rich Dworsky and the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, joined this week by fiddler John Neiman.

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In its entirety
Listen to the whole show, recorded on September 4, 2004, from the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. (Sound mixing by Scott Rivard)


In segments
Play individual show segments as listed below.

Segment 1
00:00:00Logo
00:00:11Tishomingo Blues
00:02:51GK opens, talks about fatty food at the fair, rides, bringing his daughter to the fair and pre-chewing his pronto pup, deep fried cheese curds
00:05:03"Let's Go to the Fair" - GK and Shoe Band
00:08:00"Doxology" - GK, Shawn Colvin, Shoe Band
Segment 2
00:09:55SFX script
00:13:24"I Feel Fine" - Pat Donohue, John Niemann, GK, and Shoe Band
Segment 3
00:16:05Rides script
00:17:46"Land of 1,000 Dances" - Tonic Sol-Fa
00:21:27GK talks about the gadgets for sale at the fair, introduces Marching Wolfpack of Cottage Grove
00:22:43"The Victors March" - Marching Wolfpack
00:23:28GK talks to percussion section
00:24:19"It Don't Mean A Thing" - Marching Wolfpack
Segment 4
00:26:26Julia Child script
00:28:04"On A Stick" - GK and Shoe Band
00:29:56Powdermilk Biscuit Break / "Florida Blues"
00:32:21GK introduces Shawn Colvin
00:32:49"I'll Be Back" - Shawn Colvin
00:36:05GK talks to Shawn
00:37:38"That's The Way Love Goes" - Shawn Colvin, GK, Shoe Band
00:41:16GK talks about the new cow at the fair this year and introduces Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the other finalists
00:48:37"America" / "America the Beautiful" - Pat Donohue, solo guitar
Segment 5
00:51:10Old Eye script
00:53:16"Sold" - Tonic Sol-Fa
00:56:08"Long Black Train" - Tonic Sol-Fa
00:59:37Intermission - "Muskrat Ramble"
01:03:52GK sing Hail to the Minnesota and talks more about the fair, Greetings
01:08:42"Gimme a Footlong" - Pat Donohue and Shoe Band
Segment 6
01:12:24Guy Noir script
01:22:32"Mouse House" - Rich Dworsky and Shoe Band
Segment 7
01:24:51The News from Lake Wobegon
Segment 8
01:40:26"You Got Me All Wound Up" - Shoe Band
01:41:35GK talks about the Ferris wheel, meeting people at the fair
01:42:40"Killing the Blues" - Shawn Colvin
Segment 9
01:47:04Catchup script
01:51:02GK talks about the fair
01:53:34"In The Still of the Night" - Tonic Sol-Fa and Garrison Keillor
01:56:00Credits, "I Feel Fine" closer


Photos from the show
Click images to view slideshow. (Photos taken by Andrea McAvey and Thomas Scheuzger)

Park High Marching WolfpackPrincess Kay and court
Tonic Sol-Fa Pat Donohue
Shawn Colvin Shawn Colvin


Guest Recordings
  • Shawn Colvin
  • Tonic Sol-Fa


  • Scripts
  • GK Talks About the Fair
  • Rides
  • Julia Child
  • Old Eye for the Young Guy
  • Guy Noir
  • Catchup


  • Lyrics
  • Let's Go to the Fair
  • Doxology
  • On a Stick
  • In the Still of the Night


  • Music Information
    Performers, music sources and credits


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