Boom Town: A Lake Wobegon Novel

“At 79, Keillor remains a smooth writer, and his ability to create realistic but quirky characters and then spin endless, oddball stories about them is as strong as ever.” — Star Tribune Review

Garrison joined the podcast “On Mic with Jordan Rich” for a discussion about Boom Town and what he has been up to.

Listen to On Mic >>>

 
Boom Town has finally arrived! You’ve heard about it, read about it, and now you can finally get it, wherever you buy your books. It’s Garrison’s return to the “little town that time forgot and decades could not improve,” but upon his arrival, he finds things have indeed changed. 

Lake Wobegon is having a boom year thanks to millennial entrepreneurship — AuntMildred’s.com Gourmet Meatloaf, for example, or Universal Fire, makers of artisanal firewood seasoned with sea salt. Meanwhile, the author flies in to give eulogies at the funerals of five classmates, including a couple whom he disliked, and he finds a wave of narcissism crashing on the rocks of Lutheran stoicism. He is restored by the humor and grace of his old girlfriend Arlene and a visit from his wife, Giselle, who arrives from New York for a big love scene in an old lake cabin.

Read the first chapter >>>

Boom Town is available wherever books are sold. Autographed copies are available on our website.

Get a signed copy >>>
Download a Kindle copy >>>
Listen via Audible >>>

Another week, another column or two

You come to a point in life when the days of wild uninhibited sex seem to be behind you, either because she is no longer moved by your singing, “Oh my love, my darling, I hunger for your touch,” or the flaming torches on the bedposts seem hazardous and you put the theatrics aside and discover that holding her close and stroking her arm are just as wonderful, perhaps even more so.
 
Small things can make me so happy. I’ve recently discovered this. I once had a book that was No. 1 on the Times best-seller list and of course I’d love to have another, but meanwhile I made myself tremendously happy the other day by switching from a $110 room in an old run-down hotel to a $170 room in a new hotel. I was feeling low because I’d been away from my sweetie for two weeks and was on the road and the $110 room was small, not big enough to swing a cat, and the shower was tricky and the desk chair wouldn’t raise so I was typing at an unnatural angle and there was no room service so I switched to a hotel two blocks away that was spacious and light and the shower and desk chair worked and a cheerful woman brought me a BLT and coffee, and I felt absolutely wonderful. I believe the word would be “exalted.” Sixty dollars is not too much to pay for exaltation in my book.

Read the rest of the column >>>

Featured A Prairie Home Companion Show:

This week we bring you another great show from the historic Town Hall in New York City, with Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, and Renée Fleming. Plus, Andy Stein and the Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band and the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, and the latest News from Lake Wobegon. Join us this Saturday on our Facebook page; the link will appear at 5 p.m. CT (or, if you simply can’t wait, use the link below).

Listen to the show >>>
Follow our Facebook page >>>
 

More information about our featured guests:

While studying at the State University of New York, Renée Fleming sang with a jazz trio and was discovered by jazz legend Illinois Jacquet, who invited her to tour with his band. Renée went to graduate school instead, where she focused on classical music at the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School. Fleming’s professional break came in 1988 when she was invited to sing the role of the Contessa in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with the Houston Grand Opera, and in 1989 she made her New York City debut in La Bohème. She sang in London’s Covent Garden and returned to New York in 1991 to make her Metropolitan Opera debut. Since then, the Grammy Award winner, who is recognized as a risk-taker in her field, has created many roles for the operatic stage and has premiered numerous songs written for her. She has performed in the world’s most distinguished venues with today’s foremost orchestras and conductors, and recorded numerous award-winning discs.

Listen to “O mio babbino caro” >>>

Phil Cunningham, MBE: accordion; Aly Bain, MBE: fiddle: The MBE’s in this case stand for Member of the Order of the British Empire and carry with them honorary doctorates. Dr. Cunningham won his in 2002 for services to Scottish music, not only as an astonishing accordionist but also as a teacher, producer, music director, and composer. His considerable body of work includes two suites for symphony orchestra and Celtic instruments. Dr. Bain holds five honorary doctorates, none of which have kept him from being regarded as Scotland’s supreme traditional fiddler. He was a founding member of the Boys of the Lough and is today in demand as a producer and a collaborator; he has his own label, Whirlie Records. Together, Bain and Cunningham have recorded CDs and movie soundtracks, toured a considerable part of the world, played everywhere from small pubs to concert halls and coliseums, and from all accounts have had a good time doing it.

Live at Celtic Colours >>>

Violinist and saxophonist Andy Stein was a member of The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band on A Prairie Home Companion from 1989 to 2001. He collaborated with Garrison Keillor to create the opera Mr. and Mrs. Olson. He has appeared on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman, and has performed with such artists as Itzhak Perlman, Eric Clapton, Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, and many others.

Listen to “Sunshine” >>>

Tune in to this fun-packed show on Saturday to hear the full song of “22 Stops” performed by Garrison and the Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band (who will be joining us for our show at Red Rocks on May 2).

22 Stops (lyrics)
I love my baby, Lord knows I do
Though she lives out on Ocean Avenue
I try to see her every Saturday
But she lives 22 subway stops away.

I love her though she is far out
Over in Brooklyn on a local route
She’s my baby I’m in love with her O
I wish she lived here in my borough.

But she’s 22 local stops away
She’s 22 local stops away
I sit on the train looking at the signs
As it comes to a stop 22 times.

(INSTRUMENTAL)

Pardon me for being so vocal
But she’s 22 stops away on the local
Ask the firemen, ask the cops
But 22 is a whole lot of stops.

Today is the day I call up Renée
And tell her, Baby, I got something to say
It’s all over, we’re done, we’re through
I can do 21 but not 22.

I hate the crowds I am annoyed
By ads about eczema and hemorrhoids
So I’m looking for a brand-new lover
Who lives on my street or one block over.

Garrison Keillor On TOUR!

It’s been a busy week: we have added tour dates including appearances in cities from Wabash, Indiana, to West Bend, Wisconsin, to Livermore, California. There is something for everyone: a full-on reunion show of A Prairie Home Companion, shows featuring the Hopefuls, a few Keillor & Company, featuring Prudence Johnson, and a couple of solo shows. You can expect a mix of poetry, music, and stories, with a Lake Wobegon tale or two thrown in. See you on the road! 

VIEW ALL UPCOMING SHOWS >>>

40th Anniversary Collection

The most comprehensive collection of songs and sketches from the archives of A Prairie Home Companion. It’s a who’s who of artists who have graced the stage to perform live on Saturday evenings. From early favorites like the Everly Brothers and Chet Atkins to Los Texmaniacs’ performance in 2014, we’ve chosen more than 87 memorable acts. Also includes one CD of highlights from the weekend-long 40th Anniversary Celebration live from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Listen to a “Bird Song” >>>
Purchase the 40th Anniversary Collection >>>

Note: “Bird Song” was written by Heather Masse and she performed it as part of the 40th Anniversary Festival with her group The Wailin’ Jennys. Heather will be at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for A Prairie Home Companion American Revival on May 2nd as one of our featured musical guests.

Join us >>>

I'm a Mother (set of 2 mugs)

Who is more important than the one who brought you into this world? Garrison wrote this wonderful poem for all mothers, featuring the wisdom and rules that have helped us get this far.

Mug is microwavable and holds a generous 11 oz. Comes in a set of two, because you probably know at least two cool moms in your life.

Features the words “I’m a Mother” on one side and the below poem on the other:

Don’t put yourself down
Mind your p’s and q’s
A smile gets you more than a frown
Never buy cheap shoes
Too late smart, too soon old
One door opens when two doors close
If you don’t want to catch cold
Wash your hands before picking your nose.
Keep your mind on what you’re doing
Life is not fair
Close your mouth when you’re chewing
And always wear clean underwear
Time brings all things to light
Your mama told you and she was right.

Buy now >>>