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Host & Staff Bios
Use these bios in your marketing or media materials.Garrison Keillor, Host, Producer
Garrison Keillor is the host and writer of A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac heard on public radio stations across the country and the author of more than a dozen books, including Lake Wobegon Days, The Book of Guys, Love Me and Homegrown Democrat. He was born in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1942 and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He lives in St. Paul with his wife and daughter. He has two grandsons. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Episcopal church.
Tom Keith, Performer
Tom Keith provides sound effects and character voices for A Prairie Home Companion. He has performed with Garrison Keillor since 1976. With vocal gymnastics and a variety of props, he creates creaking doors, footsteps, barking dogs—even elephants. He is also one of 20 contributors—including former Beatle Paul McCartney and folksinger Pete Seeger—to a kids' activity book, called Open Ears (Ellipsis Kids).
Tim Russell, Performer
Tim Russell uses his many voices for radio and television commercials. He's heard weekday mornings as entertainment editor on 830 WCCO Radio in Minnesota. He's been voted "Best Radio Host" by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, and "Outstanding Broadcast Personality" by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. Tim starting performing on A Prairie Home Companion in 1994.
Sue Scott, Performer
Cast member Sue Scott joined A Prairie Home Companion when Garrison Keillor returned to St. Paul in 1992. She has also performed on celebrated theater stages throughout the Twin Cities and the Midwest and is a veteran voice-over talent who can be heard frequently on radio and television.
Richard Dworsky, Band Leader
Each week on A Prairie Home Companion, Richard Dworsky leads The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band and appears as keyboardist, composer and arranger. An APHC regular since 1986, he's accompanied Garrison Keillor on U.S. and European concert tours and provided original music for many Keillor recordings. Credits include 32 years as a studio musician; two years accompanying singer Al Jarreau; composer for The Marvelous Land of Oz (televised on Showtime) and the animation A Joan Walsh Anglund Christmas. Original music CDs include The Path to You and So Near and Dear to Me; and his piece, "A Morning With The Roses," appears on many Windham Hill Records compilations. He has recorded with Peter Ostroushko, John Gorka, Robin and Linda Williams and the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band.
Pat Donohue, Guitarist
Pat Donohue is an innovative songwriter with several albums to his credit on Red House and Bluesky Records. As the guitarist for the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band of A Prairie Home Companion, Pat gets to show off his savvy licks and original songs to millions of listeners each week. He also plays about 30 concerts a year nationwide and teaches at such popular music camps as Augusta Heritage Center and Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. Honors include several Minnesota Music Awards and the title of 1983 National Finger Picking Guitar Champion.
Arnie Kinsella, Percussionist
Arnie Kinsella has been with the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band of A Prairie Home Companion for nine years. He has performed with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and has recorded and performed with Leon Redbone and The Manhattan Rhythm Kings.
Gary Raynor, Bassist
Gary Raynor toured with Sammy Davis Jr. for several years and has performed with the Count Basie band, the original Carlton Celebrity Room Orchestra, the Minnesota Pops Orchestra, the Plymouth Music Series, as well as for The Guthrie Theater and dozens of Broadway touring shows. Gary is featured on Janet Jackson's hit single, "Again," performs with the New York-based Soul on Fire, and has recorded and performed locally with the original Rio Nido, Debbie Duncan, Prudence Johnson, Adi Yeshaya, Klezmerica and others. He also teaches across the street from the Fitzgerald Theater at MusicTech College.