Can Garrison Keillor sing as well as he seems to think he can?

I never got the impression that Garrison Keillor has any illusions as to the quality of his singing voice. It’s not great, but he is a comedian and I think he just sings because he loves to.

Don’t know.

I only know him as sometimes announcer for American Honda commercials.

Proceeded by Burgess Meredith. RIP.

I doubt he has any illusions about his voice—he just loves writing songs and singing. He also loves singing and harmonizing with real singers. Clearly, his recent second stroke has weakened his voice.

Yeah, not a great singer, but seems to enjoy it.
Other thoughts? I have always been delighted with him. I’ve seen his broadcast live a few times, and I’ve seen him live in other circumstances, one of my favorites was with the Seattle Symphony many years ago.
When I would listen in the car, I would miss exits and get lost because of laughing.
I always wanted to shop at Bertha’s Kitty Boutigue.
I wanted to eat Powdermilk Biscuits.
I had a crush on Guy Noir.
<sigh>

We always seemed to have his show on in the car when we were coming home from a trip. Hearing him brings up good memories of my marriage.

Yeah, he’s a regular Saturday evening fixture at my NPR of choice.
Garrison Keillor seems to have made a good living off of being Everyman. He’s not the prettiest. He’s not the smartest. He’s not the funniest, and he can’t sing the best. But, overall, his package is like an oversized flannel shirt on a blustery day – comfort food for the soul.

I listened to his final show last night and sorry to say, I was disappointed. He’s an amazingly creative man—it’s like he just ran out of ideas.

I missed last night’s show – just forgot to put it on.

Don’t get me wrong – I think he’s a great humorist and a great populist and a good writer. I just kinda wish he sang less on his show.

He had quite the nonsensical duet last night. Outrageous rhymes. I think he gave his partner in rhyme the better ones.

When I first started to listen to NPR in earnest, I hated it when Prairie came on, and I’d often change the station. Corney jokes and bad singing.
I now enjoy the show. Garrison has had some excellent fill ins. One I heard was almost better. I hope that’s the new host. The pace was picked up, just a bit.

One of my favorite little bits was a dig at Unitarians.

“Oh great Something-or-other… Grant to us your mercy… Or goodness… Or general apathy… Whatever works for you…”

@Seek hadn’t heard that – pretty funny!

I have always thought it admirable that he had the guts to sing before an audience, with the self awareness he was no match for the fine singers on the show.

This thought ran through my mind last night while listening to the show. His singing wasn’t horrible, but it was definitely off. No complaints from me though. For all of the enjoyment that the show has brought, it’s easily overlooked.

I met Mr. Keillor once. It was while covering the front desk for another hotel in Minneapolis, MN. He was checking in, and we had a very quick chat.

He “retired” once before in the 80s after getting married. I can remember thinking that it might sink public radio. I don’t think Keillor has any illusions about his voice. But it’s clear that he adores music and anyone involved with it in any way. The man is a national treasure.

Exactly, @stanleybmanly. He adores music and uses his public platform to participate. The glorious singers we hear doing a duet with Keillor aren’t technically hearing anything we aren’t hearing. Yet they love the joy he brings to his music.

The very fact that all those musical super-stars are willing to do a duet with Garrison Keillor is proof of his genius.

@Pachy I don’t think he ran out of ideas. I think he might have been overwrought?

Ugh. I had a coworker who came in one day and said “You guys, the world’s coming to an end. I actually heard a funny joke on A Prairie Home Companion.” That pretty much sums up my opinion of the program (and singing).