27 Comments

Sad news. Losing a musician and an entertainer is always difficult, a wonderful sound silenced forever. Rest in peace, Mr. Thompson.

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Dear Garrison, So sorry for your loss. Yesterday we just lost a very dear friend, and the grief is unbearable. It helps to cry and talk about this, at least that helps me get through this situation.

You are in our prayers. S. Justice

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His name and his playing were the sounds of Saturday nights. God Bless Him. God Bless You, too.

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Yes he will certainly be missed. Thank you for including the Vicksburg Blues - Wonderful!!

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Sad news that we have lost such an important musician and entertainer. For most of us his name was synonymous with Saturday night and A Prairie Home Companion. He was an important part of why we miss your show. Heaven has gained another talented musician.

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Sorry to hear

I always enjoyed his music !!🎶🎼😎

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Dear Mr. Keillor, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. God rest his soul, now he plays in the heavens. He will be missed here, but there his old friends greet him once again. For those of us who keep daily notes in our daily calendars, its harder now, our numbers grow smaller here while they increase elsewhere. God always has us in His hands where ever we are. That is our grief and our comfort, hand in hand.

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I have fond memories of the PHC Saturday night broadcasts and hearing Butch Thompson and the trio. Such a musician! So glad his music will live on in recordings that will tickle our ears and sooth our hearts.

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Butch Thompson was the reason I stopped fiddling with the tuner on my radio back in 1980 as I sat at my drawing table in my studio apartment in Philadelphia, searching for good music. His ragtime piano was captivating, and it was followed by the smooth baritone voice of Mr.Keillor who launched into an insane ad for something that got me laughing in disbelief— and that’s how I discovered A Prairie Home Companion. (And the show became wonderful therapy for me, as a recent divorcée and the proud mother of a precocious two-year-old.) Decades later, I got to see Butch Thompson perform at the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri. (And because I was being squired around by another ragtime pianist, we sat down to lunch together with Butch Thompson and his wife.) My God, what a gifted artist and musician! Thank heaven I have some good CDs of Butch Thompson, and I’m going to play one now.

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He could definitely tickle those keys!

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Please accept my condolences. The world is a lesser place.

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RIP Sir. Blue Skies and Fair Winds.

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Sad to hear this, feels like a family member has gone forever. I thought he was a genius performer, smooth as silk.

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Sad to lose.such a versatile, joyous musician. His joy at playing whatever instruments he had handy was so very evident to his audiences.

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God rest his precious soul ...

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A great tribute for a great musician! Thank you for sharing!

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