Format
Each show opens with the Spencer Williams composition "Tishomingo Blues" as the theme song, but with lyrics written especially for A Prairie Home Companion. Before 1987, the show's theme song was the Hank Snow hit "Hello Love".
Music is a main feature of the program; the show is a significant outlet for American folk music of many genres, especially country, bluegrass, blues and gospel, but it also has guest performers from a wide variety of other styles of music, including classical and opera, and from a number of different countries. Chet Atkins, noted country musician and former record company executive, appeared on the show many times, as have singer-songwriters Mark Knopfler (lead guitarist and frontman of the bands Dire Straits and the Notting Hillbillies) and Jeff Lang. Folk/gospel duo Robin and Linda Williams have been regular guests since 1976, and often join Keillor and another female performer, often Jearlyn Steele, to form "The Hopeful Gospel Quartet". Peter Ostroushko, Greg Brown, Jean Redpath and Prudence Johnson, among others, were recurring guests on the program between 1974 and 1987. The Wailin' Jennys and Andra Suchy are current recurring guests, and when the show travels, Keillor generally features local musicians and acts.
Greetings from members of the audience to friends and family at home (frequently humorous) are read each week by Keillor just after the show's intermission at the top of the second hour.
Read more about this topic: A Prairie Home Companion