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The Last Hurrah
Posted at 1:33 PM on December 10, 2008
by Dale Connelly
(8 Comments)
Morning Show listeners planning to attend our final broadcast at the Fitz on December 11th are quite right to be concerned about what to expect in terms of crowds and access to the theater.
The answer: We don't know.
Doing a live, free show in the theater between 6 and 9 am is almost without precedent. The last time we tried it, 20 years ago, things went smoothly. People on their way to work stopped in for a cup of coffee and a few minutes of music and hi-jinks, and moved on.
We kept it relaxed and everybody seemed to relax along with us.
How will it go this time? That's up to you. As with any public performance, we hope you will silence your cell phone and not have loud conversations inside the hall. You are expected to come and go as you please, but we hope in the process you will be respectful of the musicians and gentle with your fellow listeners. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so. The Morning Show audience is a sympathetic and congenial group. The messages that have come in are heartbreaking and hilarious and beautiful.
This one, from Lydia DeNuccio, describes what went on behind the scenes at home when her mother would make requests for Lydia and her sister Laura: "She would usually start months in advance, trying to decide what song to request for mine and my sister's birthdays. It couldn't be just any song- Oh no! It had to be something perfectly pertaining to our lives at that moment. I have such funny memories of her waking up extra early to catch the announcements. She would sit at the table or computer working and listening for the announcement. Then my sister or I would hear her yell "There it is!!!" and she would rush to the stereo to hit record. Of course there were always a few false alarms- I think she even may have gotten me out to the shower a couple times."
And this, from Jane in Jordan, MN: "I am still in shock and bereft that you're leaving my world. I work with EB/D kids and played the Morning Show to expose them to other types of music. One even liked bagpipes! The best was a boy that would waltz with me to 'Waltzing with Bears'."
There was a time when we would do a "Merman Alert" whenever we played something by the Broadway belter Ethel Merman. We modeled it after a tornado warning and it became an audience favorite. Ruthann wrote from Anoka to tell us how that went over at her house: "I remember... my four year old daughter running to me saying with great alarm 'There's an Ethel Merman alert on the radio!!! What's an Ethel Merman?'"
I know it's not part of the state achievement standards, but I would be proud if we could say every Minnesota high school graduate has at least a passing familiarity with Ethel Merman. Whether your response tips towards worship or revulsion is a personal matter, but when faced with a Merman, No Child Should Draw A Blank.
So ... what to expect? A whole lot of patient, thoughtful, appreciative people - our people - the "Morning Show" crowd. There will be coffee at the theater and a church basement breakfast a half block away at St. Paul's Central Presbyterian. And lots of music, with a farewell bow from some of the long-time characters whose words I have written and whose personalities Jim Ed has brought to life over the years.
Here's a tentative rundown of how the morning is supposed to go. It's amusing to see how earnestly we plan to follow a plan, understanding that the whole structure of the thing could be abandoned by 6:10.
It's that kind of show.
6:04
Connie Evingson & Dan Chouinard
6:13
B. Marty Barry
6:17
The Jerry Rau Band
6:26
A Message from Our Founder
6:30
Ann Reed
6:39
Sherpa
6:43
SPORTS
6:46
Dan Newton
6:54
Bubby Spamden
7:00
The Brass Kings
7:09
Tony Bennett (not the REAL one)
7:13
Prudence Johnson & Dan Chouinard
7:22
Bowserbed
7:26
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
7:29
Greg Brown
7:35
Congressman Beechly
7:39
SPORTS
7:42
Neal & Leandra
7:50
Captain Billy
7:54
Dan Chouinard
8:00
The Steeles
8:09
Nephew Thomas
8:13
Peter Mayer
8:22
Genway
8:26
Peter Ostroushko
8:35
Bart the Bear
8:39
SPORTS
8:41
Dan Chouinard
8:45
Bud Buck
8:51
Neal and Leandra
8:55
Greg Brown
Comments (8)
We'll be there!
I was going to come early and leave at some point to get the pancake breakfast but when to leave? I don't want to miss any of it, especially now that I know the lineup.
I know the show will be on at the church but I'll miss something going to and from. If only my old walkman radio still worked...
I'm taking the day off from work so I can enjoy all of it.
It should be great.
Is there a way to get a podcast of the last show, or listen online? I missed it live, but I'd love to listen to it.
We'll follow wherever you take us. We hope to find someway to visit all of your persona's and music. It's been a great ride. Thank you! Skip and Lynn
Fantastic show this morning!!! It's hard to believe it's over. It was especially fun to see my co-worker Mark Hoornbeek playing with the Jerry Rau Band. I had no idea that that's what he did in his other life!
The Fitz show was awesome. The tears rolled down my cheeks as Peter O. and Greg B. sang to the MS. I did not attend because I expected the crowd would also be awesome and it was. I tuned in at 5:45 and caught the last 3 of the 12 most requested and can not find a list of the first 9. Is the play list somewhere? Our HD radio arrived yesterday and I have been listening today. Will the 6 oclock hour always be repeated at 8 oclock? If one contributes to the Heartland will that contribution go to support only the Heartland or also MPR in general? Dale, it was good to hear your voice today, even tho you didn't give the scores. I sure hope the Heartland suceeds.
Ron
What a touching and fitting tribute to the Morning Show. I've lived away from Minnesota for six years, but this show always reminds me why I love Minnesota and being from Minnesota. I streamed The Morning Show online from Chicago whenever I could and have wonderful memories of listening to the show during high school, college and beyond - during many stages of my life I followed The Morning Show and its spirit has stayed with me.
I felt a sense of community with the many live listeners - in addition, of course, to Dale & Jim Ed - during this final broadcast and felt I was part of it in some way. We all have a shared history now and what a wonderful community to be part of.
Thank you thank you for The Morning Show. There is, was nothing like it anywhere.
I've been an avid on-line listener to your show and will miss it dearly. I would listen as I got started working in the morning. Since I work on the East Coast, I could hear most of the first part, but as the show ran on, I would get calls from my co-workers that would interrupt my enjoyment.
Well, someone plopped a conference call in the middle of your final show. Any chance it will be available via download, iTunes, CD, or what have you? Maybe you should have a CD version as an award for your next membership drive. I'd become a member all over again.
All grumps aside, thanks for wonderful music and for providing a transplanted Minnesotan with a touch of home every morning!
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| December 2008 | ||||||
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| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |||
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