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A Prairie Home Companion
with Chris Thile
Chris Thile on mandolin (left of center), on APHC with guest vocalists Brandi Carlile (center), as well as Sarah Jarosz and the Punch Brothers. Fitzgerald Theater, 2016
GenreMusic, comedy, storytelling (radio variety)
Running time2 hours
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationMinnesota Public Radio
SyndicatesAmerican Public Media
StarringChris Thile, Rich Dworsky, Punch Brothers Chris Eldridge and Paul Kowert, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, Ted Poor, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Fred Newman
Created byGarrison Keillor
[host, 1974-1987, 1992-2016]
Executive producer(s)Garrison Keillor
Original releaseOctober 15, 2016
Opening themeTishomingo Blues
Websiteprairiehome.org

The live weekly radio variety show, A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile, whose title indicates the new program host, musician Chris Thile, derives from the historic A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor (APHC) radio show, where the changeover in the onstage hosting and program began on October 15, 2016. Thile, an American virtuoso mandolinist and singer-songwriter, had a two decade history with APHC and is known for his work in the folk and progressive bluegrass groups Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers. After two unprecedented guest host spots in 2015, Keillor decided on his successor, featured Thile as host again in January-February 2016, and fully ceded his hosting role to Thile in the October 2016 performance at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, continuing as the show's Executive Producer. As of 1 November 2016, the new program presents expanded musical and comedic elements, retaining the template of the earlier program (e.g., its most recent acting and sound effect cast, and "sponsorships" from faux companies), but without such features its earlier signature "Lives of the Cowboys" series and "News from Lake Wobegon" monologue. Early reviews of the new program have been uniformly positive, focusing on the remaining familiar elements and on the new music and expanded musical focus brought by the new host.

Program host

Chris Thile, born in 1981, is an American virtuoso mandolinist and singer-songwriter known for his folk and progressive bluegrass work in the trio Nickel Creek and the quintet Punch Brothers.[1][2][3][4] A child prodigy in music—self-described as "begging [his] parents for a mandolin from the time [he] was 2" and picking up the mandolin for the first time at the age of 5[5]—Thile was one of a trio, with siblings Sara and Sean Watkins, home-schooled California children in musical families, who formed the group Nickel Creek with Thile's father in 1989.[5] An acoustic group, it continues as a trio to the present day (2016), with Thile's participation alongside his more recent acoustic quintet Punch Brothers, both variously described using terms such as folk, progressive, bluegrass, "newgrass," and roots music.[6][3] Thile was awarded BBC's Folk Musician of the Year award in 2007, a MacArthur Fellowship "genius" award in 2012, and he has been nominated eight time for Grammy Awards, winning four, all Best Album awards, in different categories in 1997, 2002, 2013, and 2015 (Bluegrass, Contemporary Folk, Folk, and Contemporary Instrumental, respectively).[5] Garrison Keillor has made known his personal opinion, that Thile is “the great bluegrass performer of our time.”[7] As well, others have observed that "[t]hough charming and cheery, Thile is by nature deeply competitive," and understands the business side of matters, and that the size of audiences that the show attracts will matter (see below).[7]

History with AHPC

Guest performances

Thile first performed with Garrison Keillor on A Prairie Home Companion in 1996, at age 15.[2][5] Over the next two decades, Thile returned to APHC eight times (according to the program's website),[5] performing both as a solo artist and as a part of the groups Nickel Creek and the Punch Brothers.[citation needed] These guest appearances included performances at the programs home venue, the Fitzgerald Theater, and at tour venues. Programs in which Thile participated that received press coverage or are otherwise sourced and noteworthy appear below.

Trial guest hosting

When Keillor announced in November 2014 that he would absent himself from APHC for "only the second time in decades," he yielded the host's microphone to Thile for these guest host appearances.[7] Thile began these appearances in 2015 and appeared a total of 4 times in the twelve months thereafter,[citation needed][verification needed] the final two guest host spots being on January 30 and February 6, 2016.[13]

The guest host appearances gave an indication of the type of crew that Thile would assemble, the kinds of guests he would attract, and the style in which he might host (see Format and Cast, below).[14][better source needed] The hosted programs were on the following dates, and featured the following guest artists:

Final Keillor program

When Keillor formally announced his departure from APHC at the show's airing on July 21, 2015, he indicated that Thile would succeed him as permanent host in 2016.[16] Keillor recorded his final episode as host, live, at the Hollywood Bowl before an audience of 18,000, on July 1, 2016, which was aired on the following day.[17] The program was entitled "Sumus Quod Sumus" [Latin, transl. "We Are What We Are"[18]], and was a vocal duet show of "time-honored American ballads, British Invasion romps, country-western weepers, and Broadway classics," guest starring Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, Heather Masse, and Christine DiGiallonardo, alongside the "Royal Academy of Radio Actors," Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, and the APHC' band, with music director and pianist Rich Dworsky and Bernie Dresel (drums), Larry Kohut (bass), Richard Kriehn (mandolin and fiddle), and Chris Siebold (guitar).[19] Barack Obama recorded a telephone call into the show, which ran on the Saturday broadcast,[17] and Keillor performed his last "Lives of the Cowboys" sketch as regular host,[17] with regulars Scott, Russell, and Newman, and including a series of duets with the guests Masse, O'Donovan, Jarosz, DiGiallonardo, and Watkins.[20] As well, he performed his last "News from Lake Wobegon" segment, with its final closing description of the fictional town, where “all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.”[17] The Associated Press reported that:

The “last-show” aspect of the doings [were] so subtle that, at one point… Keillor’s cast mates began to prod their boss, asking: “How do you feel [about leaving]?” Keillor eventually, reluctantly replied: “It feels like something ends and something else is about to happen.”[17]

New APHC format

Thile has referred to the program that Keillor created as a "truly great wor[k] of art" and so "immortal," so that he would "keep using the template [Keillor] created to tell each other stories and to escape from our daily cares.[15] Even so, Andrew Leahy of the Rolling Stone writes that Thile has had added to the mandate of "preserving the show's appeal" a further one of "revising its structure and broadening its reach to younger generations."[2] Hence, the program continues to present a variety of program elements, including music, and storytelling, comedic and otherwise (see following), but Thile has indicated some changes in direction, and others are noted in early reviews. Absent from the new program is the "Lives of the Cowboys" sketch,[17] and the signature weekly "News from Lake Wobegon" monologues from Garrison Keillor; still present as of October 2016 are "old favorites" such as the program's faux sponsorship by Powdermilk Biscuits.[21]

As of the opening month of the program, the planned replacement for the Keillor monologue was a slate of appearances from standup comics, for instance, the Irish comedian Maeve Higgins.[21] New music from the host, and expanded music in general, have been noted as features of the new program.[15][21] Andrew Leahy of Rolling Stone offers as perspective, that

Perhaps the most crucial ingredient in Thile's radio-show-revision recipe is his Song of the Week. Every broadcast will feature a newly-penned composition, its lyrics and instrumental themes tailored to current events.[2]

Thile has indicated that the musical variety of the premiere program (see below) will continue, with viewers to expect "roots-rockers, folksingers, jazz musicians, soul revivalists and bluegrass bands all taking the stage."[2]

Cast and crew

In addition to Chris Thile, who will contribute originally composed music and performances on his various instruments, the musical and acting cast and crew consists of the following artists, as of 1 December 2016 (in credit order from the production page for the shows performers, where deeper autobiographies appear).[14]

Musicians

The following regular musicians and roles are reported:[14]

Actors and sound effects

The following are other regular performers and roles as reported:[14]

In addition, show creator and host emeritus Garrison Keillor continues as the Executive Producer for the program.[14]

Broadcast information

Local public radio stations carry the weekly production of A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile at one or more broadcast times, varying by station, and as of December 2016, the NPR Now channel on SiriusXM Satellite Radio carried the program on Saturday at 5 PM and Sundays at 11 AM, both Central Time (UTC – 6).[26][27] The audio of the program also streams, live online, at prairiehome.org on Saturdays from 5-7 PM Central, and video streams are likewise available when the program broadcasts from their home venue, The Fitzgerald Theater, or their 'home-away-from-home," The Town Hall in New York City.[26] Streaming audio from each show posts following the Saturday broadcast at prairiehome.org, as of December 2016 at 12 PM, Central Time on Sunday.[26]

Because of music rights restrictions, the entirety of programs are not available via podcast, but as of December 2016, highlights from the show, including Chris Thile’s “Song of the Week,” are available via RSS, iHeartRadio, iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn.[26]

Comments on the changeover

In the announcement of the change in host for the program, American Public Media stated:

One of the most popular public radio programs will begin a new chapter this fall as musician Chris Thile takes over for Garrison Keillor as the new host of A Prairie Home Companion, bringing a fresh approach to an audience favorite. Beginning on October 15, 2016, Thile will host a 30-week season, including live broadcasts, produced shows and repeats on public radio stations nationwide.”[28][29]

Keillor, who had made various statements regarding retirement in the past, was described in June 2016 as being "fairly serious this time," and he is quoted as saying “Chris is my man, and I’m eager to stay home and read books.”[30] Elaborating further, Keillor wrote to Abe Streep of The New York Times Magazine, indicating that Thile's adventurous nature—alongside his high esteem for “the great bluegrass performer”[7]—were reasons for his consideration as Keillor's replacement, which would be tested via a trial run of guest host appearances in January-February 2016;[7] Keillor wrote,

I came to this decision myself, without talking to another soul about it… I could’ve held meetings, commissioned studies, appointed a task force, and six months later the task force would’ve concluded that the show could not go on. Well, I say it can and it should. And I decided it should return to its roots as a musical variety show and grow from there.[7]

Keillor went on to write about Thile, “He takes big chances… He can be a chameleon, he can swim in every event, and for all his brilliance, nobody sounds better singing old American songs than he. Nobody.”[7]

Thile, in discussing the changeover with Minnesota Public Radio, indicated that he would continue to write new musical material, as he has in initial programs since his debut as host: "I would like to write something new every week... I've written a new song for each show. I want to keep doing that. It's so much fun."[15] In addition, he has highlighted comedy as an element for the new show, noting the success of appearances of comedian Maria Bamford in shows he had hosted early in 2016 which gave "five or six minutes of hilarity." With regard to story telling, he noted the success of an appearance by actor Ed Helms, indicating that the new APHC will "have that kind of thing going on." When asked about future on-air material from show originator and current executive producer Garrison Keillor, Thile replied, "He's such an amazing writer that if he comes up with an idea that would be good for the show… I imagine we'll get a script here and there."[15]

APM business strategy

While much media focus during the changeover is on the artistry and styles associated with Keillor and Thile, APHC and American Public Media (APM) are businesses as well; at its peak, the original APHC radio program had garnered in excess of four million weekly listeners, and Rivertown Trading Company, the purveyor of APHC-themed products, was sold in 1998 by Minnesota Public Radio]] for US $120 million.[7] Sensitive to the potential loss of audience with the change at the helm of the show—Thile has said that he knows he will lose some listeners devoted to Keillor, stating that his “goal is to lose one million… and add two.”[7]—the program's distributor, American Public Media, has indicated its intent to ease listeners completely away from experiencing the earlier Keillor format by "mix[ing] in" more than a dozen of the new APHC programs with Thile, alongside a set of reruns where Keillor is at the helm.[21]


Critical response

Writing for the Chicago Tribune, Steve Johnson notes that the new program "still rel[ies] heavily on an air of authenticity derived from its Minnesota locale, [but] now leans a little more toward music," and "away from storytelling."[21] Johnson concludes that the program remains "an easy, graceful listen" featuring "a killer musical repertoire in the Americana tradition," and "humor ranging from corny to cutting."[21]

Show history highlights

Thile's first A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile took place on October 15, 2016 at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.[31] Thile's opening program featured Jack White and Lake Street Dive as musical guests, and a new Song of the Week.[clarification needed][2]

References

  1. ^ Chris Thile, Chris & PBS NewsHour Staff (August 5, 2013). Chris Thile Performs for the PBS NewsHour (streaming video). Arlington, VA: PBS NewsHour. Retrieved December 1, 2016. [Quote:] Singer-songwriter and mandolinist Chris Thile performs a song for the PBS NewsHour.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Leahey, Andrew (October 14, 2016). "Chris Thile on Tricky Task of Hosting 'Prairie Home Companion'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Seida, Linda. "Chris Thile – Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  4. ^ "Welcome to Bluegrass Bios on the Web: T, Chris Thile (See also Nickel Creek)". July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2016. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; March 21, 2009 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e Miller, Ann Arbor (July 22, 2015). "5 Things You Didn't Know About Chris Thile". MPRNews.org. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  6. ^ Camp, Zoe (November 25, 2015). "Punch Brothers: The Wireless EP [review]". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Streep, Abe (September 27, 2016). "What's 'A Prairie Home Companion' Without Garrison Keillor?". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  8. ^ The references provided here state 14-years old, while the biography for Thile linked therein indicate 15-years old, as do all other sources cited in this article, and so the 15-years is the age stated.
  9. ^ See the Musicians section at the Radio Songs (album) article.
  10. ^ PublicRadio.org Staff (2016). "A Prairie Home Companion, May 1996". PublicRadio.org. Retrieved December 8, 2016. [Quote:] Live from The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota / It's the Young Artists Showcase with 14-year-old mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile, and 27-year-old Seamus Egan, Irish traditional musician, leading the quintet called Solas. See the preceding Note regarding Thile's age at this performance, appearing within this bullet point, above.
  11. ^ PublicRadio.org Staff (2016). "A Prairie Home Companion, Saturday, May 11, 1996". PublicRadio.org. Retrieved December 8, 2016. [Quote:] Guests:Kate MacKenzie, guitar and vocals; Chris Thile, mandolin; Michael Cleveland, fiddle. Solas, featuring Seamus Egan: Seamus Egan, flute; Karan Casey, vocals; John Doyle, guitar, backing vocals; Win[i]fred Horan,[sic.] fiddle; John Williams, button accordion, concertina.
  12. ^ Shefsky, Jay (June 9, 2016). "Chris Thile on Hosting 'A Prairie Home Companion,' Punch Brothers". Chicago Tonight. Retrieved December 8, 2016 – via WTTW.com.
  13. ^ a b c Kahn, Andy (January 8, 2016). "Paul Simon To Join Chris Thile On 'A Prairie Home Companion'". JamBase.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p APM Staff (December 1, 2016). "A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile: Regular Performers and Cast". PrairieHome.org. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Wurzer, Cathy (April 12, 2016). "Chris Thile Offers Glimpse of the New Prairie Home". MPRNews.org. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  16. ^ Matthews, Cameron (July 21, 2015). "It's Official: Chris Thile to Become Full Time Host of 'A Prairie Home Companion'". thebluegrasssituation.com. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d e f AP Staff (July 2, 2016). "Garrison Keillor Hosts Final A Prairie Home Companion Episode". The Guardian. Retrieved November 30, 2016 – via Associated Press (AP).
  18. ^ Beyette, Beverly (September 18, 1985). "Fishing for Meaning in Lake Wobegon Waters: Garrison Keillor Reflects on the Success of His Semi-Autobiographical Best Seller". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  19. ^ APM Staff (July 2, 2016). "Sumus Quod Sumus". PrairieHome.org. Retrieved December 1, 2016. [Quote:] hosted by Garrison Keillor, Show #1557, July 1, 2016, Rebroadcast from July 2, 2016
  20. ^ Keillor, Garrison; et al. (July 2, 2016). "Script: The Lives of the Cowboys, July 2, 2016". PrairieHome.org. Retrieved December 1, 2016. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)
  21. ^ a b c d e f Johnson, Steve. "'A Prairie Home Companion' Without Keillor Remains a Comfortable Listen". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Ruhlmann, William (December 1, 2016). "Crooked Still - Biography & History". AllMusic.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  23. ^ Jarosz also is able to perform on mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar, and banjo. See APM Staff (December 1, 2016). "A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile: Regular Performers and Cast, op. cit.
  24. ^ While the words "veteran" and "impressionist" are not used at this source, they are readily inferred from the description of his role (e.g., "does a better Ira Glass than Ira Glass"). See the reference cited.
  25. ^ As above, summary terms "veteran" and actress" are derived from descriptions at the source. See the reference cited.
  26. ^ a b c d APHC Staff (December 13, 2016). "Listening Information". PrairieHome.org. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  27. ^ Central Time is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). See Time and Date Staff (December 13, 2016). "CST – Central Standard Time (Time Zone Abbreviation)". TimeandDate.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  28. ^ APM Staff (February 3, 2015). "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor: Special Guest Host Chris Thile, February 7 and 14, 2015". prairiehome.org. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
  29. ^ APM Staff (November 30, 2016). "Press Room, Press Clips". PrairieHome.org. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  30. ^ Hughes, William (June 26, 2015). "Garrison Keillor's Reign of Terror over America's Airwaves Finally Set to End". A. V. Club. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  31. ^ "Chris Thile Seems Right At Home As New 'Prairie Home Companion' Host". Star Tribune. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)

Further reading


Category:2010s American radio programs Category:American Public Media programs Category:American variety radio programs Category:Minnesota culture Category:Radio in Minnesota Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings Category:Variety shows