Garrison Keillor

While most famous radio personalities flaunt their lack of discretion and knack for shock value, longtime radio host Garrison Keillor prefers to promote good values, subtle humor, and homegrown practical wisdom. Keillor's variety show, A Prairie Home Companion, began in 1969 on a local Minnesota station, but has been heard on for decades on National Public Radio. On the show's official Web site, you can download clips, check out archives, read scripts, get information about guests, shop for merchandise, and sign up for the podcast.

On the site you can also find information on Keillor's other radio show, The Writer's Almanac, on which Keillor reads and discusses poetry.

Keillor's opinions on policy are fleshed out in his collection of political essays titled Homegrown Democrat, focusing on how his Midwestern upbringing made him a liberal. He claims the values he acquired living in a clean, friendly town with two loving parents are best upheld by the Democratic party.

In addition to the various books he's written, Keillor also has written for the New Yorker and was once a regular writer at Salon.com with his advice column, "Mr. Blue." Keillor still writes features for the online magazine, and in March he wrote an article on the simple solution to what kids today really need. Despite his Democratic leanings, many found the article's criticism of same-sex marriage offensive.

Although Keillor is currently an Episcopalian and a Democrat, part of his "homegrown upbringing" included being raised as a Christian Fundamentalist. His parents were members of a group called the Exclusive Brethren. Learn about the group on its official Web site.

Keillor has collaborated with another former fundamentalist to record an audio book of the Gospel of Jesus. Another Midwesterner, Daniel L. Johnson, edited the text and Keillor's famous radio voice narrates one of the most famous stories of all time. Listen to a clip of the book on the HighBridge Audio Web site.

Listen to a podcast of Keillor reading The Gospel of Jesus from HighBridge Audio.