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MPR News Staff

Live from Here announces departure of 3 longtime performers

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Prairie Home Companion has been renamed Live From Here with Chris Thile.
The Prairie Home Companion Show has been renamed Live From Here with Chris Thile.
APMG

With the third season of Live from Here with Chris Thile just weeks away, the show has announced personnel changes that appear to complete the transition from the old Garrison Keillor program, A Prairie Home Companion.

Three performers who were mainstays of the previous show and had made the switch to Live from Here — actor Tim Russell, sound-effects artist Fred Newman and music director Rich Dworsky — are missing from the new lineup. In a statement, Thile said he would be "forever grateful to these extraordinary gentlemen."

"Their artistry, individually and collectively, is an essential, immortal part of America's sonic landscape," the statement said. "As we stay curious about what's next, we're mindful of and thankful for all the brilliant people that have helped make this show what it is today."

Earlier this summer, three other prominent members of the organization — Kate Gustafson Sanderson, the show's managing director; technical director Jason Keillor, and marketing director David O'Neill — were also let go.

The show's new music director is Mike Elizondo, a songwriter, producer and musician. Elizondo had played bass with the Live from Here band. Other performers joining the show are comedian Mike Yard and writers and actors Greg Hess and Holly Laurent.

The third season will premiere Oct. 6. Live from Here with Chris Thile is produced by American Public Media.