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Winter 2011
With the New Year upon us and our latest New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, give more and end world suffering still shiny and new, there’s still a lot of music news to report. Here’s what’s up in my little corner of the world.
On October 12th, for the second time this year, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION was filmed and simulcast live from our Fitzgerald Theater into dozens of movie theaters across the country. Besides GK, the actors and the band, the “cinecast” featured special guests Sara Watkins, Joe Ely, Andra Suchy, the Women's Vocal Ensemble of the St. Olaf Choir and the Old Crow Medicine Show. It was fun to film but slightly squirmy to watch a few days later on the silver screen. It turns out there’s a reason we are a radio program and not TV stars.
I am putting the finishing touches on NOBODY'S FAULT, my latest solo album, which the marketing department of the Pat Donohue Communications Empire has perfectly timed to coincide with the Presidents’ Day shopping rush. I think you will like the original songs, instrumentals and other surprises I have assembled, which include Too Gone and The Irish Blues. I am also still hard at work with Butch Thompson on our duo album, which should come out in the early spring, if not sooner. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to work with a consummate artist like Butch.
My fifth roots and blues show is already scheduled at the Fitzgerald Theatre for March 12th, and I am pleased that I will be joined by Butch Thompson and fiddler extraordinaire Stuart Duncan. I played with Stuart on the Prairie Home show last November in St. Augustine, Florida, where he inspired me with his musicality and versatility. In addition to his mastery of country, bluegrass, Celtic and folk genres with George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, Bela Fleck and his own Nashville Bluegrass Band, Stuart has been tabbed by rockers Elvis Costello and the Robert Plant/Allison Krauss project. “I thought the rock influence was inspiring,” he said. “Two worlds came together and the result was awesome." I have also lined up a fine opening act in the roots, bluegrass, gospel and soul group, Roma di Luna. These past shows at the Fitzgerald have been my favorite concert of the year, and I really hope I will get to see you and yours in the audience.
After gentle but insistent pressure from those in better touch with the social network, I finally caved like the roof of the Metrodome and agreed to have a running Pat Donohue page on Facebook. Look for that launch by February 1, 2011, when you can “like,” “comment” or “share” with all the other twitters, friends and fans of my music.
Wishing you all happy days and warm nights from the other end of the Mississippi River. I hope to see or hear from you soon. Thanks always for your encouragement and support
—Pat
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