About six months ago, some of our old friends from Little Rock called and said they would be coming to Nashville in May to attend a recording of Garrison Keillor's radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion" at the famous Ryman Auditorium.
They asked if we would like to go with them. Neither Wife nor I knew much about Keillor or the show, but we're always up for something new, so we said yes, get us tickets and we'll go with you.
The performance was late yesterday afternoon and it was delightful. I read up a little on A Prairie Home Companion and Keillor, who weaves in tales of the mythical Lake Wobegon, MN with each performance. From what I have read, the show usually originates from studios in Saint Paul, MN, but is frequently taken on the road for live recordings such as the one we saw yesterday. It has been a popular part of National Public Radio since the 1970s.
Keillor included some nearby and local talent for the Nashville recording, including a gifted artist from Kentucky named Sturgiss Simpson, and country star Brad Paisley who, not surprisingly given the location, was the crowd favorite.
Keillor himself is quite the singer and clearly enjoys interacting with the crowd, inviting audience members to sing along on well known tunes and hymns.
Getting to go to the Ryman -- "the mother church" of country music and the original home of the Grand Ole Opry -- is always a treat and yesterday's show was just another reminder of the blessings of living in Music City.
*******************************
Happy Mother's Day to all, especially Wife who is the most outstanding mother I know, and my mother-in-law, still kicking at 85 years young. And a big shout-out to my own mom, who left us in 1996 but whose memory is as alive as ever.
