Last night, Garrison Keillor- of Prairie Home Companion and NPR fame- made his fourth visit to the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. For an hour and a half he provided non-stop entertainment which included a lot of singing, often including the audience. With a recurring theme of aging, he talked about how the age 60+ audience knew songs from memory and with a shared repertoire, whereas younger generations now rely on using their phones for lyrics in lieu of memorizing information. Much of his performance centered on reminiscing on his 50 year career and what the view from age 81 looks like.
We last saw Garrison Keillor at the Carolina Theatre eight years ago, in 2016 (see HERE). While visibly older and thinner, with a softer voice, he still has his quick wit, clear memory, and his ability to transport listeners with a good story. He is still standard attire- a nice suit with a red tie, red tennis shoes, and red crew socks. It was a lovely evening, and a bittersweet unspoken thought that he won't likely have another eight years to return for a 5th time. We were also informed by Carolina Theatre Executive Director Brian Gray, that Benjie Cone, also 81, died this week. His wife Betty spearheaded the multi-million dollar renovation of the Carolina Theatre, and Betty is the very reason the venue still exists. Benjie was always at her side, helping as needed. We are grateful for the Cones, for the Carolina Theatre, and for the opportunity to live in a community that attracts performances like that of Garrison Keillor. There are so many reasons to be thankful.
Happy Friday!
A good portrait shot.
There comes a point in an entertainer's life when you wonder how long they'll still be around.
Posted by: William Kendall | Thursday, April 04, 2024 at 07:38 PM