How do I request a song on The Morning Show?

Dale and Jim Ed are happy to take requests and dedications. All music requests should be in writing. Please allow five days' advance notice so that the request can make its way to the play list. If you're making the request via e-mail, the address is mail@mpr.org. Write "Morning Show Request" in the subject line.

Or you can send your request to:
The Morning Show
Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar St
Saint Paul, MN 55101

The Morning Show also takes dedications. Dedications can be submitted via this form.

Is it possible to purchase tapes or transcripts of A Prairie Home Companion broadcasts?

Tapes and transcripts of the show are not available. However, you can listen to past shows by visiting the show's Web site, www.prairiehome.org. The program archive goes back several years. The Pretty Good Goods catalog (www.prettygoodgoods.org or 1-800-998-8173) offers collections of some of Garrison's best-loved monologues as well as highlights of past programs.

Is there a brick-and-mortar store where I can buy A Prairie Home Companion merchandise?

Yes. Visit the Lake Wobegon USA store, located at E320 in the Mall of America. The phone number is 952-854-3795. You can also shop online at www.prairiehome.org or call 1-800-998-8173.

How do I submit one of the personal greetings that Garrison reads during the show?

If you're seeing the show live, you will notice baskets set by the doors of the auditorium. Just write your greeting on one of the slips of paper provided and toss it into the basket. During the break, Garrison selects the ones he'll read. You can also submit a greeting through the show's Web site: www.prairiehome.org/greetings/.

How much of your funding comes from the government?

About 9% of our total funding comes from government sources, mostly in the form of program grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Members provide the most important source of program support. To learn more about how Minnesota Public Radio is funded, visit the "About MPR" section of our Web site.

At the end of As It Happens, the announcer always says, "Now it's time for us to say goodbye to our American listeners." Why can't we hear the complete 90-minute show?

American Public Media distributes As It Happens nationwide. Most American radio stations prefer shows to be in hour-long blocks. There aren't many 30-minute programs out there, so a 90-minute program would be problematic for a station's schedule. Streaming and podcasts of the full 90-minute program of As It Happens are available, however, at the CBC's Web site: http://www.cbc.ca/aih/.

What is the piano music that accompanies The Writer's Almanac?

The music that begins and ends The Writer's Almanac is a Scandinavian folk tune called "Gi Mig En Dag" ("Give Me a Day"). The pianist is Rich Dworsky, music director for A Prairie Home Companion. Unfortunately, there are currently no commercial recordings of the song available. Sheet music is allegedly available, but apparently quite difficult to find.

What is the music Leigh Kamman uses at the beginning of The Jazz Image?

Leigh uses two cuts from the "Faraway Star" album by Alice Babs and the Duke Ellington Orchestra at various times during the show. "Serenade to Sweden" is used at the beginning of the show; "Faraway Star" is heard during several breaks. The "Faraway Star" LP was originally released on the London label. A CD recording was released on the Bluebell label some years ago, but is also out of print.

How can I learn more about a piece of music I heard on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service and 89.3 The Current?

We carry a complete playlist on Classical's and The Current pages of our Web site. You can look at what's currently playing or more than a year into our past. If you don't know where to start you search, feel free to contact MPR's Member Benefits Team.

Is it possible to hear a Midmorning or Midday program again?

All Midmorning and Midday programs are archived on their Web pages and available in streaming audio. Recent episodes of Midmorning may be downloaded as a Podcast.

How do I order tickets to A Prairie Home Companion?

For more details about upcoming Prairie Home Companion shows, please visit the Schedule/Tickets page at www.prairiehome.org, or contact MPR's Member Benefits Team.

What is American Public Media?

Do you still publish the Wireless catalog?

The Wireless catalog was sold to Target Direct several years ago. However, you can find many items from the old Wireless catalog in the Prairie Home Companion catalog, "Pretty Good Goods." You can view the catalog online at www.prettygoodgoods.org or obtain a free copy by calling 1-800-998-8173.