Ryan ChartrandGarrison Keillor is arguably the radio show host who is most connected to his roots.
Keillor, probably best-known for his popular public radio show “A Prairie Home Companion,” will be bringing his gentle voice to the Performing Arts Center Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.
He will be presenting his show, “An Evening With Garrison Keillor.” Previous shows have been well received, so tickets are on sale now.
Keillor will share entertaining stories about growing up in his hometown of Anoka, Minn., and his experiences raising his own family, just as he did on his radio show.
The Washington Post calls him “a storytelling genius.” According to the New York State Writers Institute Web site, Keillor has been entertaining listeners with “A Prairie Home Companion” since 1974, when it aired on Minnesota Public Radio. In 1980, the show became nationally syndicated.
Keillor had 4 million listeners when he left the show in 1987 to give all his effort to his writing career. A movie by the same name, written by and starring Keillor, based on the show was released in June.
Keillor has written many novels and short stories; his most popular novel is perhaps “Lake Wobegon Days,” which is loosely based on his own experiences growing up.
Keillor has garnered praise from many sources. In an article in The New York Times entitled “At Home With Garrison Keillor: Where All the Rooms Are Above Average,” author Joyce Walder wrote “A dry, ironic sense of humor, a good manner and a reticence to talk about personal matters are what you get with Mr. Keillor.”
“His one-on-one voice – at least when meeting a stranger – is identical to his radio voice, so that getting into a car with Mr. Keillor is like falling into a radio show,” Walder wrote.
The title of her article reminds readers faintly of Keillor’s ending line in each segment of “The News From Lake Wobegon” on his show: “That’s the news from Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.”
Keillor’s writing career extends further than just fictional short stories and novels. He is also a columnist and has given advice under the pseudonym “Mr. Blue” for salon.com. He has contributed to The New Yorker, and has also written many essays for publication all over the United States.
Keillor’s conversational baritone voice has comforted listeners for many years, and his wisdom gained through his experiences, that he often chronicles in his radio shows and writings, is apparent. He once said,”Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known,” according to the Garrison Keillor page Web site.
Tickets are on sale now at the Performing Arts Center box office, and range from $52 to $64, depending on seating preference.