Marcia Ball
February 23, 2008
This week on A Prairie Home Companion, we'll be broadcasting live from the McCown Gymnasium at Winona State University, located in the beautiful bluff country along the Mississippi River. With
special guests, legendary blues pianist and singer Marcia Ball, plus the eclectic and electric Cajuns, BeauSoleil. Also with us, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Tom Keith, The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band with Rich Dworsky, and the News from Lake Wobegon.
|
|
 |
|
If you would like to see A Prairie Home Companion live, here is your chance!
Lots of chances to get in on Prairie Home fun in 2008. Next week, February 23, our broadcast comes from McCown Gymnasium on the campus of Winona State University. We return to our home turf, the Fitzgerald in Saint Paul, on February 29 and March 1; March 7 and 8; and March 14 and 15. Don't forget,
March 15 we wrap up our talent contest for performers in their 20s. On the first three Saturdays of April — 5, 12 and 19 — look for us at The Town Hall in New York. On April 26, we head south to Hot Springs, Arkansas, then turn right around and go north to Bangor, Maine, for a show on May
3. Stay tuned.
|
|
 |
|
Post to the Host:
I just heard your latest show and you mentioned that Bisquick is now a sponsor. How do the folks at Powdermilk Biscuits feel about this? Are they pulling their sponsorship from the first part of the program?
And, most importantly, which product do you think makes the best biscuits? Maybe a taste test is in order at the local Fire Department Pancake Breakfast.
Liz P.
Chatham NJ
I don't give a rip how the Powdermilk people feel about it. They are relatives of mine, on the Powell side, and their product, frankly, is behind the times — Bisquick is Heart Smart, no cholesterol, zero grams trans fats — and nobody has the faintest idea what's in Powdermilk. That
branch of the family made a nice peanut brittle at one time but their flour products are nothing to write home about.
Pull their sponsorship? I wish they would. They haven't paid us a sou in years. We carry them out of sympathy and because I have elderly relatives who would be hurt to see them go. Myself, I'd be tickled pink.
Powdermilk makes a decent biscuit if you like your biscuits heavy, but don't use them to make pancakes. One stack and you'll be immobile for the rest of the morning.
Permalink | Comments
|
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who entered this year's People in Their Twenties talent contest. The deadline has passed, and we are no longer accepting entries. Watch this space for a list of finalists sometime during the last week of February...
|
|
 |
|
Did you hear they make a square beer glass that won't leave a ring on your table?
This joke was sent in by David W., of Longview, WA. Thanks David!
|
|
 |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
February 19, 2008
Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. It was one of those shows where I didn't want to miss a thing, so I waited until the Powdermilk Biscuit song to run and get the laundry, and halfway through, when Mr. Keillor reads the messages from audience members, is when I ran the hand mixer.
It was coffeecake I was mixing up, a recipe from my childhood. My best friend Jodie's mother made it on Saturday mornings after we'd spent the night out on the pond chucking frog eggs at each other, and roasting marshmallows out behind the house, and giggling in our sleeping bags up on the floor
in Jodie's room. The coffeecake was light and sweet and laced with cinnamon, and I always felt so good after a slice or two and a glass of juice. I was only in third grade, and somehow had it in me to ask for the recipe not too long before Jodie moved away....
|
|
|
|
February 12, 2008
I have rather low self-esteem, which is a handicap for a man in this line of work whom you, dear reader, expect to give you 750 words in the strike zone about the economic stimulus package and all those little government checks going out to 130 million of you in hopes you'll go buy candles to light
against the darkness and maybe a rod and reel so you can teach a man to fish, but I can't and it's too late to rebuild self-confidence.
|
|
|
|
Listener-submitted short stories or poems about their homes or lives or whatever they fancy. Here are the latest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Sponsors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pontoon: A Novel of Lake Wobegon |
 In Lake Wobegon lives a good Lutheran lady who is quite prepared
to die and wishes to be cremated and her ashes placed inside a bowling ball and dropped into the lake, no prayers, no hymns, thank you very much. Meanwhile, the Detmer girl returns from California where she has made a killing in veterinary aromatherapy to marry her boyfriend Brent aboard Wally's
pontoon boat, presided over by her minister, Misty Naylor of the Sisterhood of the Sacred Spirit. Brent arrives on Thursday. On Saturday, a delegation of renegade Lutheran pastors from Denmark come to town on their tour of America, their punishment for having denied the divinity of Jesus. And
Barbara Peterson, whose mother, Evelyn, left the startling note about cremation and the bowling ball, is in love with a lovely fat man who slips around town in the dim light and reconnoiters with her at the Romeo Motel.
|
|
|
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! >> |
|
|
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! >> |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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! >> |
|
|
|
Back to newsletter list
