On July 6, 1974, about a dozen people made their way to the Janet Wallace Auditorium at Macalester College in St. Paul for the first broadcast of a new radio show. Things went pretty well, so Garrison Keillor and his team produced another show, then another . . . close to 500 in the first 10 years alone.

Today A Prairie Home Companion is heard by more than 4 million listeners each week on 590 public radio stations. This new collection looks back at the early days, in particular early music, with pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull, and the first Powdermilk Biscuit Band: Adam Granger, Bob Douglas, and Mary DuShane. This collection is a treat for longtime fans who love the show’s music.

Contents:

1. Hello Love—Garrison Keillor and the Powdermilk Biscuit Band
2. Keep It Clean—Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson
3. How Long Blues—Butch Thompson
4. Hey, Mr. Bassman—Milton “Soupy” Schindler and Bill Hinkley
5. It’s Too Short—Papa John Kolstad, Bill Hinkley, Judy Larson, Soupy Schindler, Butch Thompson
6. Stop That Thing (One Time for Your Daddy Now)—Pop Wagner, guitar and vocal; Bob Douglas, spoons
7. Miss the Mississippi and You—Sean Blackburn and Dakota Dave Hull
8. Nine Years Waltz—Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Back Again—Stevie Beck and Bob Bovee
10. Little Joe—Peter Ostroushko, vocal and mandolin, with Jim Tordoff, banjo, and Jeff Tordoff, guitar
11. You Don’t Know My Mind—John Kolstad
12. An Action Guide to the Yellow Pages, Part II—Vern Sutton, vocal, and Philip Brunelle, piano
13. Salt Creek—Backporch Bluegrass Conspiracy:
14. Lord, Lord, Lord—Soupy Schindler
15. Have a Little Talk with Jesus—Bob Douglas, with Eric Hendrickson and Tom Coursolle
16. Waltz of the Tennis Players—Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson
17. Mississippi Blues—Bob Douglas
18. D major polka from the village of Boda—The Johnson Fiddlers
19. Keep Off the Grass—Butch Thompson
20. Piggy Song—Judy Larson and audience
21. Farewell Blues—Cal Hand and Peter Ostroushko
22. Homestead on the Farm—Garrison Keillor, vocal and autoharp
23. Spanish Johnny—Judy Larson, vocals and guitar, with Bill Hinkley, mandolin
24. Deep Creek Blues—Butch Thompson
25. Lost John Dean—Jon and Marcia Pankake
26. Candy Man—Soupy Schindler
27. Ut på Landsväjen (Out on the Country Road)—LeRoy Larson, banjo; Bernie Sundermeyer, bass; Mel Brenden, accordion; Helge Lamo, accordion
28. Powdermilk Biscuit Theme—Garrison Keillor, vocals and autoharp, with Adam Granger, guitar; Bob Douglas, mandolin; Mary DuShane, fiddle
29. Hey Big Fat Mama—Peter Ostroushko and Dakota Dave Hull
30. Beaumont Rag—Peter Ostroushko and Dakota Dave Hull
31. Frankie Jean—Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson
32. Boys of Blue Hill/Harvest Home Medley—Rudy Darling, fiddle; Bill Hinkley, mandolin; Bob Douglas, guitar
33. Hattie Hale—Middle Spunk Creek Boys
34. Anoka Library Song—Garrison Keillor, vocals and autoharp, with Jon Pankake, guitar
35. Look for the Silver Lining—Vern Sutton, vocals; William Huckaby, piano
36. Norwegian Wedding Tune—Vidar Lande
37. When You Go—Peter Ostroushko and Sean Blackburn
38. The Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake—Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson
39. Log Cabin Home in the Sky—Stevie Beck and Bob Bovee
40. Nearer My God to Thee—Garrison Keillor, autoharp and vocals
41. Salty Dog—Rudy Darling, fiddle; Dakota Dave Hull, guitar; Bob Douglas, spoons; Sean Blackburn, guitar