In an recent interview with the Associated Press Garrison Keillor says he plans to step down as host of A Prairie Home Companion (APHC) after the 2015-2016 season. The 72 year old said, "I have a lot of other things that I want to do. I mean, nobody retires anymore. Writers never retire. But this is my last season. This tour this summer is the farewell tour."
Keillor kicks of his 30-city "America the Beautiful"tour next week, and it includes a stop at the Brevard Music Center on August 15. This summer's touring show features 2 1/2 hours of Sweet Harmony & Garrison Keillor with singer Sarah Jarosz and Piano Master Richard Dworsky, Fred Newman World's Greatest SFX Man, The Radio Rhubarb Band with Fiddling Richard Kriehn and Boy Guitarist Christ Siebold, Guy Noir, News from Lake Wobegon, and other classics from 41 years of radio history.
Keillor is set to hand the mantle over to musician Chris Thile of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers fame. According to Keillor Thile, who is a whiz on the mandolin, will help return APHC to its roots as a music show. Now 34, Thile was just 15 when he made his first appearance on the program.
More than 4 million listeners tune in weekly to hear the adventures of Guy Noir, the lives of cowboys [Dusty and Lefty] and of course, "the news from Lake Wobegon." WCQS airs A Prairie Home Companion Saturday nights from 6 to 8 and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Prairie Home Companion is distributed by American Public Media.
