Attention! Look what's on PBS tonight

[Elwood P Dowd]

This should be a humdinger of a show. A Prairie Home Companion on steroids.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/phceve/

GARRISON KEILLOR'S NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL premieres on December 31, 2006 on PBS (check local listings).

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION's Garrison Keillor hosts a live New Year's Eve broadcast from Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the GRAND OLE OPRY. The festive GREAT PERFORMANCES telecast will be all the merrier due to the Opry's role in providing Keillor with his original inspiration for an eclectic radio show that went on to become the favorite it is today. Together with special guests -- Emmylou Harris, Robin and Linda Williams, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Sam Bush, Buddy Emmons, Jerry Douglas, Cowboy Jack Clement, and many others -- Keillor will bid 2006 "Auld Lang Syne" along with "sound effects guy" Fred Newman, Rich Dworsky, the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, and other series regulars for a New Year's countdown like no other.

The Ryman Auditorium, although synonymous with country music, has played host to a diverse range of musicians, dancers, actors, and speakers throughout its 114-year history. Garrison Keillor returns to the historic venue for this special, year-end broadcast of A PRAIRE HOME COMPANION, which last aired from the Ryman in 2004. Read an interview with the versatile host in Dialogue. For additional details about his popular radio show and several of its regular performers, check out the profiles. Browse the Bluegrass Timeline to learn about the legends of the genre, most of whom appeared on the GRAND OLE OPRY.

Visit the Web companion of Garrison Keillor's debut appearance on the series, GARRISON KEILLOR'S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL, in July 2006.


Special funding for the program was provided by Gather.com and The Starr Foundation.

[Faygo Kid]

1. I'm not sure I can start the New Year listening to Garrison Keillor singing

Long time fan of Prairie Home Companion, but I can't stand his singing. If you can call it that. Plus, he is interminable with his songs. Maybe by using the "mute" button, I can enjoy the show.

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. Funny you should mention that

I was listening to APHC this afternoon, and a friend of mine said, "The only thing wrong with that show is Garrison's singing."

[msmcghee]

5. Keillor's singing is the highlight of his shows IMO.

Singing is a wonderful way for anyone to express themselves. Judging people's ability according to some "professional" standards when they try - is just buying in to the corporate hype that musical expression is what you pay somebody else $75 for tickets to see and hear - not what anybody can do by themselves with their friends and family.

I think that's one thing he conveys with his shows that frequently include audience sing-alongs.

Instead of muting him try singing along with him - you might find that you enjoy it.

[TomInTib]

10. So very well put, msmcghee. Read on..

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His
How can I keep from singing?

written by Robert Lowry

I sing parts of this song every day. In voice good or not-so-good, it is song that brings us together.
The voice was the first-used musical instrument and it has soothed and stimulated us down through the walls of time.

I will be watching it with you.

[TomInTib]

11. Try this

Turn on your speakers (WMP)

http://andrew.cmu.edu/~bryce/SwiggumHowCanIKeepFromSinging.mp3

[Wiley50]

12. Actually, it's one of two reason's I stopped listening to Al Frankin

The other was he refused to believe the obvious

Bush Stole Ohio

[havocmom]

2. COOL! Something good on TV for New Year's Eve!

:woohoo:

Thanks for the heads up. You and that tall furry friend of yours to have a Happy New Year! :hi:

[XOKCowboy]

3. Emmylou? Hell I'm THERE!

I love that woman's voice. Angels are envious of her singing I swear!

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Thanks for the heads up!!!!

[G_Leo_Criley]

7. Rhonda Vincent and the Rage

are absolutely outstanding too!

old timey and bluegrass! Yes!

:bounce:

Thanks for the heads up. :D





glc

[BrklynLiberal]

8. These are not the best pics, but anybody else see a resemblance between

Garrison Keillor and Stephen King?

[Graybeard]

9. Separated at birth...

...no doubt about it. LOL 

[Minnesota_Lib]

13. But FAUX has A Nashville New Year With Sean Hannity...decisions, decisions. LOL

Join Sean in welcoming in the new year with bucket fulls of good old fashion hate. :puke: :puke:

[Wiley50]

14. Those Wooden Church Pews for Audience Seating In Ryman Are Killers

Last time I went was for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Now that was worth it

[TahitiNut]

15. "Guy's All-Star Shoe Band"!!! Wow! Now that's sole music!

:silly:

[Elwood P Dowd]

16. Harvey sez boo to that one

:beer:

[TahitiNut]

17. Aw... what does a Pooka know about funny?

:dunce: ... besides being fond of rumpots and crackpots, that is.

[Elwood P Dowd]

19. Better watch it falla. Me and Harvey been a dranking tonite.

Don't get us all riled up.

[Minnesota_Lib]

18. Heck, TCM has a Marx Brothers festival tonight....I know what I'm watching.

Duck Soup, Horse Feathers, Monkey Business, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, A Night in Casablanca and At the Circus.. I'm in hog heaven.

Duck Soup (wherein Groucho is the leader of the nation of Freedonia) is on now....I suspect Bushco used this film as their blueprint on how to run a country. ;-)

[Elwood P Dowd]

20. And miss the news from Lake Wobegon, Minnesota?

:spank: :beer:

[Minnesota_Lib]

22. It's a tough call but I'll probably end up with Garrison.

:)

[ikojo]

21. It's not on KETC Channel 9 in St Louis...

until 9PM St Louis time.

[babylonsister]

23. Kick! nt

[WiseButAngrySara]

24. Watching and thanks and Kick! ....n/t