Garrison Keillor, born in Anoka Minnesota, is an author, humorist, and radio personality known by many for his creation, A Prairie Home Companion. The program ran much of time between 1974 to 2016 and was hosted by Keillor. He developed the fictional Minnesota town Lake Wobegon, which was utilized in the show and many of the books he wrote over the decades.
Keillor began his radio career in 1969 as an on-air host for Minnesota Educational Radio (MER), which would later become Minnesota Public Radio (MPR).
October 1, 1993 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Garrison Keillor on bringing back the original A Prairie Home Companion name.
August 23, 1996 - Garrison Keillor hosts his annual “Minnesota Quiz” in MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Audience members try to answer various questions about for prizes. Topics of quiz include state history, sports, weather and arts. Gary Eichten briefly closes out program.
September 23, 1996 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Garrison Keillor about famed St. Paul author F. Scott Fitzgeald. Keillor discusses Fitzgerald’s work and connection to the Midwest.
September 23, 1996 - A Garrison Keillor documentary about F. Scott Fitzgerald entitled Fitzgerald in St. Paul, on the eve of his 100th birthday commemoration. Program includes interviews, music elements, and readings.
September 24, 1996 - A Garrison Keillor documentary about F. Scott Fitzgerald entitled Fitzgerald in St. Paul, on the eve of his 100th birthday commemoration. Program includes interviews, music elements, and readings.
February 5, 1999 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews Garrison Keillor on his new satirical book, Me, that seems to parody Jesse Ventura.
June 30, 1999 - Garrison Keillor gives a speech at the spring commencement for the Class of 1999 at the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts. Keillor talks about growing up, what’s next for the graduates, and doing good in the world.
September 29, 1999 - In this audio segment, Garrison Keillor gives an acceptance speech after receiving a National Humanities Medal. At an event sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Keillor talks about the difference between being a writer and hosting A Prairie Home Companion.
May 23, 2002 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews writer Garrison Keillor, about the writing libretto for the opera Mr. and Mrs. Olson. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a star studded ensemble will present the world premiere of opera.
September 14, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Claire Kirch on her thoughts of Garrison Keillor opening his own bookstore. Keillor was unavailable for comment about his new venture.