Cast Changes For New Season 'Live From Here With Chris Thile': Four Come, Three Go

Cast Changes

The three remaining cast members from "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION" who continued to appear on its successor "LIVE FROM HERE WITH CHRIS THILE" have been let go from the show and several new cast members have been added to the AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA show for the upcoming season. 

Musical Director RICH DWORSKY, actor/announcer TIM RUSSELL, and vocal sound effects expert FRED NEWMAN, all of whom appeared on the show when GARRISON KEILLOR was the host and stayed on when mandolinist CHRIS THILE took over, have exited, while musician/songwriter/producer and WARNER BROS. SVP of A&R MIKE ELIZONDO, longtime DR. DRE protegé and co-writer of EMINEM's "The Real Slim Shady," 50 CENT's "In Da Club," and CARRIE UNDERWOOD's "Cowboy Casanova," will serve as Musical Director.

Also joining the show are comedian MIKE YARD and writer/actors GREG HESS and HOLLY LAURENT.  Cast member SERENA BROOK will become announcer for the show, replacing RUSSELL, and JOEY RYAN continues as Creative Director.

"I'm beyond excited about the team we have this year," said THILE. "This show is a joy to make and I feel like that joy gets a little more infectious every week. The new mix of talent further energizes our celebration of hearable beauty and hilarity. We can't wait to get in front of your ears this fall."

On the departing cast members, THILE said, "I stand in awe and will be forever grateful to these extraordinary gentlemen.  Their artistry, individually and collectively, is an essential, immortal part of AMERICA's sonic landscape. As we stay curious about what's next, we're mindful of and thankful for all the brilliant people that have helped make this show what it is today."

The show returns with new episodes in two weeks.

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