MPR People

Jim Ed Poole

Retired co-host, The Morning Show
Minnesota Public Radio

The longtime co-host of Minnesota Public Radio's The Morning Show, Jim Ed Poole has now formerly retired. His alter ego, Tom Keith, continues to appear as sound effects guy extraordinaire on A Prairie Home Companion. Jim Ed Poole comes from a long line of entertainers. Actually the line starts with, and some say ends with, Ma and Pa Poole. They all worked under different names to avoid contractual problems, much like what Duke Ellington and his orchestra did in the 1930s. Pa Poole performed with the civic opera and was a regular on the KSTP Barn Dance in the fifties. Ma Poole was active on the stage of politics rising to the presidency of the PTA. Jim Ed's two older brothers Sigmund F. and Seth sang in coffee houses near the University of Minnesota until graduation. One went into farming and the other became a psychiatrist. Jim Ed's brother, Sigmund F., often tells him that he would never have thought about going into the field of psychiatry if it weren't for Jim Ed. Performing together, during their early school years, Jim Ed and his sister Norma Jean were like Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire-except they couldn't sing or dance. Jim Ed and Norma Jean, that is. Jim Ed did take tap dancing lessons at a very young age but the only tapping he does now is with a beer keg at parties.

Jim Ed Poole Feature Archive

RSS

Krista Detor performs in The Current studio

Singer-songwriter Krista Detor has roots all over the U.S., including California, North Dakota, and her current home in Bloomington, Indiana. She's moved around a lot in her career and her touring schedule echoes that long road. She'll be doing her third European tour in 12 months in March of 2009. (12/03/2008)

Meg Hutchinson performs in The Current studio

One would think that folksingers in Boston are lining up to get gigs and trying to out-do each other in a fiercely competitive scene. But Meg Hutchinson says it's more of a family atmosphere. She's one of Red House Records' newest singer-songwriters and says the Boston scene, where she lives now, is supportive and thriving. (12/02/2008)

John Gorka performs in The Current studios

Gorka recorded his very first album, "I Know", on the Red House label back in 1987. He then signed with Windham Hill and recorded five more albums before returning to Red House for four more. John is currently recording new material for yet another Red House recording. (11/21/2008)

Ben Sollee performs in The Current studio

Ben Sollee takes the cello way out of it's roots as a classical stringed instrument. While his music teacher gave him permission to study his "other" music, he made sure Sollee kept his nose firmly planted in the traditional cello repertoire. (11/19/2008)

Carrie Rodriguez performs in The Current studios

Carrie Rodriguez has branched out from her roots as "another Texas fiddle player." In her years on the road, she's grown from playing back-up fiddle to headlining her own band. She lives in New York now and is on tour with her newest album, "She Ain't Me," which includes help from songwriting partners Dan Wilson, Gary Louris and Mary Gauthier. (11/07/2008)

KaiserCartel performs in The Current studio

Don't let Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel hear you say that you can't have a duo with just drums and guitar because they'll prove you wrong. The two formed a duo - both musically and romantically - after meeting several times at different gigs. Now they live and perform as KaiserCartel. (11/05/2008)

Sonya Kitchell performs in The Current studio

Sonya Kitchell released her first CD when she was only 16 and created a storm of sorts. Critics raved, audiences cheered, and that record opened a lot of doors for the Massachusetts singer-songwriter, including a tour with legendary jazz man Herbie Hancock. (10/14/2008)

Dave Stoddard and Laurie McClain perform in The Current studio

Dave Stoddard says he wrote his first song on piano in kindergarten. Hearing him play, you could buy that, but knowing him, you might think he's pulling your leg. (10/09/2008)

Aaron Espe performs in The Current studio

What does it take to break into the music industry as a singer-songwriter? It helps to have friends in the business. It also helps, a lot, to be good at your craft. Luckily, for Aaron Espe, he could check off both of those necessities. (10/07/2008)

Pete Morton performs in The Current studio

It's hard to nail down a typical Pete Morton show because you get a little bit of everything. Pete admits he's a news junkie, and a lot of his material is based on current events and world politics. However, he's just as capable of misting up the eyes of the audience with a love song. (09/26/2008)

Dar Williams performs in The Current studio

Upstate New York singer-songwriter Dar Williams is out with a new CD called, "The Promised Land." She says its a new direction for her with songs that are melodic, yet simple. To achieve that sound she worked with producer Brad Wood in hopes that he would coax her into new territory. (09/23/2008)