A suddenly older man scans life's romance
I turned 79 a week ago and I’m quite satisfied with the promotion. I celebrated with lunch with five friends at an outdoor restaurant under a canopy on a perfect summer afternoon and in memory of my frugal parents I ordered the most expensive wines, and the Lord, who prepares a table in the presence of my enemies, prepared an even better one for my friends, and we feasted ourselves silly. My wife was away, tending to the settlement of the estate of a crazy bachelor uncle, and texted me, “I miss you too much,” a very nice touch. I can’t remember a better birthday.
The best gift I got was the word “disarray,” spoken on the phone by a niece in L.A. Somehow I had misplaced that word in favor of “chaos,” “mess,” “clutter,” “shambles,” but “disarray” is so elegant, it sounds French, like the name Desirée, an improvement over “clutter,” which makes confusion sound trashy. My niece agreed. “It’s what I do,” she said, “I bring glamor to confusion.” Read the COLUMN >>>
Note: Garrison's weekly column is available weekly on our website and his substack page. Garrison's substack page also features a second weekly column along with The Back Room where you can help shape the direction and plot lines of a Guy Noir story, read exclusive essays and poems, receive shop discounts, and hear audio from the early years. |
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This week on A Prairie Home Companion Lights, camera … here comes a live broadcast of the radio show that was aired on PBS Great Performances, featuring Meryl Streep, The Wailin’ Jennys, Jearlyn Steele, and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet. Travel back to 2006 with us to enjoy this wonderful show.
Highlights include Meryl Streep’s duet with Garrison on “What’ll I Do,” plus a poetry recitation, a stunning version of “One Voice” and “Calling All Angels” from The Wailin’ Jennys, and a few words from our sponsors — plus a couple of sketches featuring our fine cast, plus the latest news from Lake Wobegon. The link is posted on Saturdays at 5 p.m. CT each week on our Facebook page. Listen to the Show >>>Like our Facebook page >>>
More about this week’s featured guests:
Growing up in New Jersey, Meryl Streep wanted to be an opera singer. But while a student at Vassar, she became interested in acting and after graduation she enrolled in the Yale School of Drama. She made her first feature film appearance in Julia (1977), and the next year she was nominated for her first Oscar for her role in The Deer Hunter (1978). In all, she has been nominated for the Academy Award 21 times, and has won it three times: for Kramer vs. Kramer, (1979), Sophie’s Choice (1982), and The Iron Lady (2012). In addition to those honors, she has won Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, the 2011 Kennedy Center Honor, the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more. She played one of the singing Johnson Sisters in the Robert Altman film A Prairie Home Companion. Watch Meryl Streep in the Mom script >>>Browse her collection of available movies >>>
When three solo performers with powerful voices joined forces for a one-time gig in 2002, everything changed. The collaboration was a huge success, surprising everyone including themselves. Dubbed The Wailin’ Jennys, the three went on tour and within a few weeks the word was out: People were calling them “a bona fide Canadian sensation.” Writing in the Sydney [Australia] Morning Herald, music critic Bruce Elder said, “This is about as good as contemporary folk gets.” The group’s members are soprano Ruth Moody, mezzo Nicky Mehta, and alto Annabelle Chvostek. The Wailin’ Jennys’ critically acclaimed CD 40 Days won a 2005 Juno Award for Best Roots and Traditional Album of the Year. Their album Bright Morning Stars took the same award in 2012. “One Voice” >>>View available music >>>
A native of Indiana, Jearlyn Steele first sang with her siblings as The Steele Children in churches, concert halls, and on radio and television. Music is still the family business. Jearlyn has voiced many local and national commercials, and she has recorded with top acts including George Clinton and Prince. She also appeared in the film A Prairie Home Companion, directed by Robert Altman. Her solo recordings include Steele Praising Him and Jearlyn Steele Sings the Songs from A Prairie Home Companion. She is the entertainment reporter for Twin Cities Public Television’s public-affairs program Almanac, and she hosts Steele Talkin’, a Sunday-night radio show that originates on WCCO in Minneapolis and is heard in some 30 states nationwide and across Canada.
“In the Garden” with Garrison >>>View our guest interview >>> |
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Interview with Erica Rhodes Massachusetts-born, LA-based Erica Rhodes is a multi-hyphenate performer capable of renowned work in film, television, in the streaming realm, as well as in front of a live audience. She made her debut on A Prairie Home Companion at the age of 10 and appeared in the movie, cinecasts, and live shows, both as a performer and a writer. More recently, she has focused on stand-up and has been writing and performing comedy routines for the past eight years. Her first hourlong special — La Vie en Rhodes — was released this year.
Here is a short excerpt from our guest interview: Fans who are familiar with your work know that you tend to include a lot of personal stories within your shows. Do you find it difficult to open yourself up to your audience that much? I like being open and honest with my audiences. I feel like the truth connects more, and it’s easier to commit to the truth. If I start fabricating stuff for a laugh, it’s not really as fun for me. So, I’ve always preferred to tell truthful stories. Maybe I can get to another layer of truth though. Working on that!
You made your first A Prairie Home Companion performance at age 10. What do you remember about that show?
I remember standing on a box so I could reach the mic. I remember sharing a dressing room with Allison Janney. She taught me a vocal warm-up and was very kind to me. And I remember playing Garrison’s conscience and wondering why the crowd was laughing so hard! Read the full interview>>>
Erica's tour schedule >>> |
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FALL EVENTS We are just starting to add dates to the fall calendar and we will continue to update as more dates come in. Whether you live close or plan to travel, we would love to see you again.
Garrison Keillor with Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard
Friday, September 10 Ladysmith, WI
Saturday, September 11 Menomonie, WI
Garrison Keillor Solo
Saturday, October 2 Sellersville, PA
Sunday, October 3 Jim Thorpe, PA
Thursday, November 4 Carrollton, GA
Garrison Keillor and the Hopefuls (Robin and Linda Williams)
Friday, November 5 Carrollton, GA
Friday, November 12 High Point, NC For Performance Details>>> |
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Nothing You Do For Children
glass paperweight |
| A favorite inspirational quote from Garrison Keillor’s book Leaving Home. Consider adding this to your collection or giving it as a gift to those that make a difference in children’s lives. |
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| A Prairie Home Companion journal & pen A handy journal you can carry with you to jot down notes and thoughts. Poetry, limericks, lyrics, or simple reminders to yourself are all possibilities to fill the pages of this journal.
5 1/2” by 8 1/4” |
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