April 28, 2007
Coming to you this week from the beautiful state of Georgia, where spring has sprung like a bell's been rung, we'll welcome special guests, the "first couple" of old-time country music, Norman and Nancy
Blake, performing with old-time master fiddler James Bryan and his daughter, guitarist and singer, Rachel Bryan. Also with us, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band with Richard Dworsky, and the News from Lake Wobegon. It'll
be all peaches and cream this week on A Prairie Home Companion.
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Listen to The News from Lake Wobegon wherever and whenever you want. We're pleased to announce GK's signature monologue is now available as a free podcast, updated every Monday.
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Dear Garrison,
I thought you would be uniquely qualified to help with a small family matter we are having. How do you console a nine-year old writer who has just found out that the short story he submitted to a county-wide competition has gone unrecognized? It was a nice little story about a bear in a silver
Mercedes who thwarts the evil intentions of a mad scientist. All in 500 words. But it didn't impress the judges, about which our son is quite disappointed.
As we listen to your show regularly, we thought any advice or words of wisdom you might have would help him pick up his pencil and keep writing. Thanks.
Mike
Chico, CA
A writing contest is a game and you play it for fun. It's the same as in baseball: you'll play better if you love playing the game itself, and if you love the game, you'll accept losing. The game is the beautiful thing, and you'd rather be in the game, and losing, than be in the bleachers watching.
I'll bet his story was terrific, and if he's unhappy about losing the contest, he can write another story about the bear in the Mercedes who helps a judge whose car has stalled on a lonely road and who is just about to be attacked by a mad scientist. "How can I ever repay you? You saved my life,"
said the judge. "HEY! Are you the same bear who was in that story in the contest I just judged?" The bear nodded. "Oh man, am I embarrassed," said the judge. "I loved that story so much, I got excited and spilled coffee all over it and so the other judges weren't able to read it. That's why it
didn't win first prize." "Not a problem," said the bear. "I'm all over it. But the charge for this ride to town will be $5,000." The judge thought for a moment. He could hear the mad scientist whooping and yelling in the woods. "How do you spell your name?" he said, pulling out his checkbook.
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Q: What did Big Ben say to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
A: "I've got the time, if you've got the inclination."
This joke was sent in by Penelope B. of Ossining, NY. Thanks Penelope!
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Listener-submitted short stories or poems about their homes or lives or whatever they fancy. Here are the latest:
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If you would like to see A Prairie Home Companion live, here is your chance! Ticket info is available for the rest of the Spring Season.
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Program Sponsors
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Never Better: Stories from Lake Wobegon |
 Fans of A Prairie Home Companion eagerly await each new
collection of Garrison Keillor's "News from Lake Wobegon" monologues. Recorded during live radio broadcasts, Never Better features characters we know and love, a meditation on Christmas, migrating turtles, flying Elvises, and more warm, witty, poignant, often hilarious tales from America's favorite
storyteller. As they say in Lake Wobegon, "It could be worse." But what they think is: It's never been better. About 2 hours.
Order now! >> |
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A Prairie Home Companion: the DVD |
 Legendary director Robert Altman's take on Garrison Keillor's show
boasts a dream cast, terrific music, and a story that tugs at the heartstrings. Keillor, Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Kevin Kline, Virginia Madsen, and Tommy Lee Jones star in a film about the final broadcast of America's most celebrated radio show.
(Don't worry; it's only a movie.)
"What a lovely film this is, so gentle and whimsical, so simple and profound" ?Roger Ebert. "A great gang of stars having a great time, brilliantly directed by Robert Altman" ?Larry King. 1 hour 45 min.
Order now! >> |
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When I Get Home: Songs |
Prairie Home Companion listeners are frequently treated to a song. Sometimes to a familiar tune, sometimes to original music?with words by Garrison Keillor. In them, he sings of home, love, friendship, family, faith, or just plain fun. These sixteen songs, specially recorded for this collection,
are some of his best.
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A Prairie Home DVD Collection |
 This 3 DVD set features classic A Prairie Home Companion broadcasts includes
special guests Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson, Bobby McFerrin, The Everly Brothers, Taj Mahal, and Robin and Linda Williams. Music abounds, as do jokes, skits, and "The News from Lake Wobegon."
Order now! >> |
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