Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Sara Porter

How MPR unveiled 'A Prairie Home Companion' in 1974

Garrison Keillor's final 'Prairie Home Companion'
Garrison Keillor on stage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles during his final show as host of "A Prairie Home Companion," July 1, 2016. A show first announced on MPR in 1974.
Nate Ryan | MPR 2016

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Throughout 2017, Minnesota Public Radio will celebrate 50 years on the air by sharing highlights from our archives, connecting Minnesota's past to its present. | This aired in 1974.

Fundraising has been a staple of life at Minnesota Public Radio throughout its 50 years on the air. But there's one bit of pledge drive banter that remains the stuff of legend.

MPR marks 50 years
• More stories from the archives
• Join the celebration, tell us your story

While making their fundraising pitch to listeners in 1974, morning music program host Garrison Keillor and then-MPR president Bill Kling paused to tease the audience about a new weekly music and comedy program MPR was about to debut.

Kling: Why don't we have you do a program on Saturdays?

Keillor: Hey that's an idea.

Kling: Is that right? Alright, how about-

Keillor: Think that might start about the middle of June?

Kling: Middle of June, about 4:30 and maybe-

Keillor: I got nothing on for then, I just checked my book over here.

Kling: How about a live radio broadcast?

Keillor: Live is fine with me, back where I come from they're all live.

Kling: See it's not hard being a president, you just decide what you want to do and you sit down and you talk to the people that can do it and we've now agreed that you're going to have a- what do we call it?

Keillor: Um, call it "A Prairie Home Companion."

And that's how "A Prairie Home Companion," a program that went on to attract millions of listeners for decades, was officially announced to the public.

To listen to their full discussion, click the audio player above.