52 Comments

You make me smile, and that's not an easy thing to do these days. You do indeed make light. Thank you for that.

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In the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, you made people happy. I’ll bet the gentleman in the front row who caught you was strong and healthy, glad to help an 80 yr old continue down the aisle. An evening of music and memories is a gift: thank you!

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I’ve heard more than a few song writers observe that every listener brings their emotion and meaning to a song. Whether a composition or a live performance, you and your audience create something new, unique and emotionally satisfying with each show.

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This is true! I'm by no means a professional, but I've written several and I've had people tell me "you sang about the swing that was in my tree as a kid" or "that's the barn on our old farm" or "how did you know exactly what I was feeling." It's a surreal thing, to be sure, but the only response is to smile and share their moment with them.

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I recall Paul McCartney making that point about “the movement you need is on your shoulder”. It was intended as a placeholder , but John insisted it was the best line in the song. I guess the literal meaning of the words can be transcended by the feelings and meanings we give them.

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That is VERY very true! The ones above are literal examples of things people have said to me.

Another thing about live performance - you have the opportunity to make the audience PART OF THE SHOW! GK is especially gifted at this. :-)

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"Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you

Away, you rolling river

Shenandoah, I long to see you

Away, we're bound away

'Cross the wide Missouri..."

What a hauntingly-sung song that brings tears to them who sing it through...

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Indeed it does🥰

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Thank you for sharing your side of the show, so to speak! I am one of those that grew up with the show - not EVERY week, but as much as I could in the days of live radio. I devoured the CD's I could find of the 'news' and I got to see the show live in Memphis one year at the Orpheum.

A few years ago my wife surprised me with tickets to the Orpheum to see you do your 'post show' tour, and that was a treat! We weren't sitting in the aisle, but I remember during the 'intermission' you didn't actually take a break, but instead came offstage and walked down the aisle and continued leading us in song.

As for me, I'm a casual performer as well. I'm a singer/songwriter that never had anything done professionally and no regrets about that either. When I do perform I have learned that it's not for me at all, though I do get my heart filled as well, so I know a LITTLE where you're coming from...

I hope you have many more enjoyable shows sir!

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founding

Those were the times I loved the most! When GK would walk down the aisle , singing all the while, I'd wonder to myself if this time I was going to get lucky! Once in Annapolis at a theater on the docks, the row behind me was unoccupied. Maybe a shipload of sailors hadn't landed when they were supposed to be in port. Who Knows?

What I treasure is the memory of the time Our Fantastic, Marvelous Host wandered down that aisle, and since I was the only one in the aisle in front of him, HE STOPPED! Right behind my right shoulder! I have no idea what he sang! I felt as if my whole right side was ablaze! All I knew was I wished the song would go on forever. As the applause began, I kept saying the mantra "Don't Go Away! Don't Go Away! Don't Go Away! " Of course, the pavilion was close to full, and there were crowds of people hoping they'd be the lucky ones the next time! It as as if I was hearing a personal serenade!

As Jimmy points out, very few performers actually get "That Personal" with the audience. Yet, The Fabulous GK, for all his Mass of Worshipers, on air and in person, still has the sense of comfort with his audience that he can be with us, "shoulder to shoulder!"

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That is beautiful! I may never be able to see you preform, but you write your heart. Thank You.

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What a nice prose to read to start a Wednesday morning! You make me believe in life of everyone trying to be worthwhile. Please take care and keep up with your show. We all need it.

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Sounds a super evening. Wish I'd been there, Americana and all, but its a long way from the UK.

I think the audience at the show and over the years give a clear answer to what you think is a moot question. You have made and continue to make a positive difference in real people's lives. I'm sure we all thank you most gratefully for that.

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inspiring joy in people's hearts is never a waste of time is my comment

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You wrote the words “Is this weekly two hours doing some good in the world that justifies people wasting time listening to it? Or is it simply a distraction?”. The "Good" is that all those years you did "Prairie Home" and your current shows bring JOY to hundreds/thousands of people. Is Joy a "distraction", maybe and so what if it is?

For those that work with you at these shows, the musicians, the writers, the sound guy, the operations manager, the road manager, the ushers and the beer vendors it is their job and I have to believe that the musicians are having the most fun of the bunch. While the others simply perform their job, one can only hope they are at least enjoying what they are doing for their pay. During the event, YOU, as the ring leader, are the bringer of joy. Distraction from the current world climate? From the current political climate? Nah, don't belittle yourself and what you do and have done. Don't reduce the light bulb jokes, the gossip at the Chatterbox, the atmosphere at the Side Track Tap and those lives of those wonderful fictitious (?) people of Lake Wobegon down to the demeaning level of "A distraction".

Many of the songs you mentioned I don't know or only know a little of, except the National Anthem of course. But if I were there at one of these show I would do my best to at least mumble along with a smile on my face. Then I'd wait with baited breathe for the news from that little town we know and love.

While on that topic, I have to admit that I am tremendously disappointed that I can no longer listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" and get "The News from Lake Wobegon" on line. It has simply vanished from existence. I have listened to the entire catalog from beginning to end twice before it was pulled from all sources. Why? It brought me joy. I'm sure many wish they could listen to these again or at least buy the whole catalog. It is such a shame that it is gone. Am I being nostalgic? Perhaps, but is that what joy is? The reliving of that which brings us joy is not a bad thing.

It obviously brings you joy or you wouldn't keep doing it. Go forth and spread joy mister.

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You were the sound of Saturday meal prep for the coming week and 2 solid hours of humor, song and PEACE when I was a youngish mom of 3. Your beautiful voice was a beacon during some rough times and I am forever grateful.

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"I want these road shows to touch people and send them away happy." Clearly they do. And that's a fine sentiment, to want and work for the happiness of strangers... especially in your 81st year, a time when most in our culture settle for irrelevance and consignment to the sidelines.

Sentiment, after all, is just a feeling of connection and care; and sentiment for the past is just a feeling of gratitude for the journey that brought us to where we find ourselves here and now (when we might have been nowhere, no how).

Looking forward to seeing you in September.

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The "

precious century"?

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My mistake. I meant "previous".

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So 'previous' and 'precious' enjoy adjoining keyboard finger patterns. That's rather nice.

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I don't think anyone referred to the 20th as precious and I don't want to be the first.

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Don't discount the value of distraction! There is a lot that grabs our attention that is disturbing these days. I, for one, appreciate a good wholesome distraction!

Barbara

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Another beautiful, heartfelt essay. Thanks, GK.

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