This weekend's show includes material from the very last broadcast show we had the privilege to work on with Tom Keith. Our incredible sound effects man, and a fellow that had been with the show from the very first broadcast (as the original technical engineer), wrapped up our final show of the fall run based at the Fitz on October 22nd, 2011, (which included guests John Lithgow, Steve Wainer and Storyhill), and then on Sunday October 30th he passed away suddenly and we heard the news the next morning -- just a year ago to the day.
Tom, in fact, pre-dated that July 6, 1974 premiere of A Prairie Home Companion, as he was the board engineer and sound effects man for Garrison's "Prairie Morning Show," which had run a few years prior to the Saturday shows, and in for the first 5 seasons of so they were doing both the morning show and the Saturday show together before Garrison decided to devote more time to his writing and Tom then took over as host of the Morning Show with Dale Connelly. It was a pure pleasure working, and especially knowing Tom, and a day doesn't go by without our thinking of him, and smiling.
So we dedicate this weekend's show to a true friend and radio genius, Mr Tom Keith.
This week on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, we'll rebroadcast a show from our run at The Fitzgerald Theater last October. John Lithgow revisits a few of his lesser-known roles in The Lives of the Cowboys, acoustic duo Storyhill perform "Blazing," and Nashville virtuoso Steve Wariner sings "Chet's Guitar." Plus, Peter Ostroushko and Butch Thompson sit in with the Shoe Band, and the Royal Academy of Radio Actors; Tim Russell, Sue Scott and our dear friend Mr. Tom Keith. In Lake Wobegon, Dorothy urges Chatterbox Café customers to try pumpkin bread pudding.