Image: Chris Thile, the new host of A Prairie Home Companion, brings a fresh upbeat energy to the live radio show
This past Saturday evening, I had the distinct pleasure to take part in one of St. Paul's most storied traditions. A Prairie Home Companion has been a St. Paul staple since Garrison Keillor's first live broadcast on July 6, 1974. For over forty years, Keillor's voice resonated through the public radio airwaves with "News from Lake Wobegon", while countless musical guests graced the stage in the magnificent Fitzgerald Theater. Earlier this year, the beloved Keillor announced his retirement as the shows host, but promised to millions of dedicated listeners, the show will go on. Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers virtuoso mandolinist Chris Thile made his debut appearance as host of A Prairie Home Companion on October 15, 2016. Thile's bright smile and Midwest appeal stayed true to the shows roots, while an upbeat and animated stage presence offered fans a fresh breath of vibrant energy. When asked about Chris Thile, Keillor had high praise for the new host, "Chris is my man. He is, I think, the great bluegrass performer of our time and he is a beautiful jazz player. There just isn’t anything he can’t do — and he is very enthusiastic about live radio.” Over the past forty years, there has been plenty of adventure with live broadcasts from Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Iceland and almost every one of the 50 states. Today, A Prairie Home Companion is heard by 3.5 million listeners each week on nearly 700 public radio stations. The live radio broadcast is truly a timeless treasure and it was an honor to be part of the story that is, A Prairie Home Companion.
From the moment I stepped into the historic Fitzgerald, I was overwhelmed by the elegant beauty of the theater. I quickly rushed to find my seat in the upper balcony as Chris Thile strummed his mandolin and made a well received joke about Autumn in Minnesota. The live show was about to begin and I could feel the anticipation swell in the audience as Thile started to count down from ten. A brief message from radio personality and voice actor Tim Russell reminded those in the audience and around the world that the show is broadcast live. Thile, backed by his masterful band, opened the show with the theme song "Tishomingo Blues", but abruptly changed the song to a minor key, a spooky twist for a Halloween-themed show. After the song was finished, Thile gave a charming monologue to welcome the audience and briefly talked about his distaste for the ghostly holiday. Thile's unique stage presence was such a joy to witness. He perfectly balanced a genuine professionalism with a colorful and upbeat energy that had the entire audience smiling from the moment the show began.
Image: A portrait of mandolinist and host of A Prairie Home Companion, Chris Thile
The two hour broadcast featured a variety of entertainment, ranging from comedy, drama, assorted nonsense, and obviously, lots of music. Voice actors Tim Russell, Serena Brook, and crowd favorite Sue Scott delivered comedic sketches and radio style commercials for fictional products including the well-known Powdermilk Biscuits, and even a message from Bill Clinton, voiced by Russell, endorsing the American Duct Tape Counsel. The brief comedic segments kept the show light and gave the musicians a chance to regroup and prepare for the next tune. After a spooky Halloween themed sketch steaming with ghosts and goblins, Thile invited Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist Gaby Moreno to the stage. The song, entitled "The Dark Half of the Year", showcased Thile's unbelievable talent both vocally and on the mandolin, and offered the audience the first of many opportunities to hear the angelic Moreno. A beautiful melody was made even more enchanting when Thile and Moreno began to harmonize during the final chorus. The final alluring note hung in the air as the performers were rewarded with cheers and applause. Sue Scott and Tim Russell delivered another brief endorsement, this time from The Catchup Advisory Board, before Thile invited the indie rock band Dawes to the stage. Thile happily said with a beaming smile, "I'm so glad you guys are here". The band grooved for two songs, their bluesy rock ballads resonating throughout the theater. Their performance was short, but the crowd seemed to enjoy the laid back style the band carried on stage. As Dawes exited the stage, Thile, Moreno, and the house band took their place and readied for the next tune, an original song written by Moreno entitled "Illusion".
Image: Jazz vocalist and bassist Esperanza Spalding is a joy to watch on stage
A Prairie Home Companion continued to bring stellar talent to the stage with the next featured performer, Esperanza Spalding. Esperanza was the true highlight of the entire show, artfully and persuasively bridging many genres including jazz, soul, and funk. I was a little disappointed she didn't play a few more tunes, but being a variety show, the featured guest performers are only allowed a brief time slot. However, every second that Esperanza was on stage was truly something special. Her gorgeous five-string fretless bass guitar glinted in the spotlight, it's maple body and jet black ebony fingerboard complimented the exquisite maple neck. The guitar was a thing of beauty, and so was Esperanza as she opened her performance with the neo-jazz tune "Judas". The song featured a fun-house of a melody that winds around a set of hip chords and descending four-note bass licks that lead the band into syncopated stops. Esperanza played one more tune and captivated the audience from the opening line, "We could change the whole story of love". Throughout “Unconditional Love”, Esperanza utilized her incredible vocal talents and artistry to declare passionately that she wants to redefine what unconditional love means, aiming to inspire a way to change “the story of love.” It was such a powerful moment because Esperanza delivered with such intimacy and depth, all while shredding her fretless bass guitar. When the song was finished, Thile came back to the stage and said, "I would like to point out Esperanza's bass player, Esperanza". The crowd chuckled and offered one more resounding round of applause for the beautiful Esperanza Spalding.
Those two hours I spent with Chris Thile, Gaby Moreno, Dawes, and Esperanza Spalding will be a lasting memory I cherish for a long time. It was my first time being a part of A Prairie Home Companion, but I am sure it won't be my last. Chris Thile is truly a pleasure as host of the show, and I hope he continues his role for many years to come. A Prairie Home Companion is broadcast live on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time. Although the show won't return to St. Paul until February 11, 2017, you can stream their live broadcast online. You won't want to miss what Thile and the rest of the amazing performers have in store.
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