On Samhain I learned of the death of long-time Minnesota Public Radio Morning Show cohost and Prairie Home Companion sound-effects wizard Tom Keith, and it got me reflecting on the ways in which the people of a place help create its story.
When I moved to Minnesota in 1996, being the good geek that I am, one of my first orders of business was to scope out public radio stations. This search led me to the KSJN morning show and the incomparable talents of Dale Connelly and Tom Keith (working under his nom d’air, Jim Ed Poole).
Nearly every morning for the next four years, I woke up (or, as finals approached, fell asleep) to this duo. In the era of Jackass and Howard Stern, what delight to discover humor that demanded the best from its hearers but was never mean-spirited. Right or wrong, I came to consider this attitude as quintessentially Minnesotan, and I don’t think I’m overstating things to say that my early experiences of listening to Dale and Jim Ed are as much a part of my understanding of the story of this place as are sojourns to the Mississippi River and winter days with -60-degree wind chills. They became part of the story I tell myself and others about my adopted home: Minnesotans are smart, funny, and kind. That story (which contains many other things as well, of course) forms the basis of how I inhabit this now and here.
Everything that dwells in a place contributes to the co-creation of that place’s story: the rocks and trees, the algae and fungi, the cats and rats and bats–and the people. At this time of year, when the distance between those of us who live this life and those who have lived it before feels so minute, how fitting to honor our human ancestors of place and the way they have storied our world. Who are the people who co-create the story of your now and here? What tales do they tell? What tales do you tell about them?
Requiescat in pace, Mr. Keith. In the silence, I hear the tale of your remarkable sounds.
this is a very true and familiar to me retrospective of this wonderful kind person, Mr. Tom Keith. My heart goes out to his family.– and co-workers.as much as possible i listened to him on the Morning Show,from 1977 till his retirement. I’m glad our multi-talented Garrison Keillor had this fellow multi-talented guy as a ‘partner’ in so many endeavors. i loved seeing Tom in that movie, The Prairie Home Companion. what a talent! what a nice human being! Susan formerly of Moorhead, Alexandria, Hastings, St. Paul, Rochester— now in Vancouver, Wa
Mr. Tom Keith—- his niceness was immediately recognizable,right along with his many talents. Dear Jim Ed Poole, and weird Larry and his many other characters. I am envious of Dale C and Garrison for getting to have such a wonderful creative,co-worker. to his family: blessings unto you, as you keep the memories of this wonderful person in your hearts and minds. ( i first heard of the Morning Show in 1977, and was a follower of all the good MPR people since then)//susan of Moorhead, Alexandria, Hastings, St. Paul, Rochester–now Vancouver WA
Thank you for this bit of sad news, but a reminder as well of what is important about Story. I look forward to more of your writing in this vein!
Congrats on your debut! Great subject matter. You are truly a wordsmith, Eli.
Dianne