Live From Here, the Chris Thile-hosted variety show formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion, has been cancelled by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. This past weekend’s episode, which featured performances from Rufus Wainwright, the War & Treaty, Lady Midnight, and more, will be the show’s final installment.

Bring Me The News reports that the cancellation comes in the midst of layoffs and pay cuts at Minnesota Public Radio due to ongoing budget pressures. Another show, The Hilarious World Of Depression podcast hosted by John Moe, has also been cancelled.

Chris Thile took over A Prairie Home Companion from original host Garrison Keillor in 2016. A year later, in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Keillor, American Public Media changed the name of the show to Live From Here. Read official statements about the cancellation from Live From Here and Thile himself below.

Live from Here has always been about bringing people together.

It has been a joy to connect with you in person, on the radio, and online. However, as gatherings have become increasingly complicated, we are sad to announce that we will no longer be producing Live from Here. This past week’s broadcast was our final new show. COVID-19 has deeply impacted live events, from Broadway to concerts. With that uncertainty, we simply cannot continue to make the show we want to make and host Live from Here the way it was intended.

We are happy to say that we are going out on top – the show has never been better, thanks to the irrepressible genius of Chris Thile, our spectacular house band, the guest artists who have graced our stage in person and virtually, and the team making it all work behind the scenes. We have loved every minute of bringing you along for our shared moments of discovery, entertainment, creativity, and surprise. We thank you all with all our hearts for coming together with us.

And again I say AHOY!!! This message is for anyone out there who has made Live from Here a regular part of their listening lives. Not one live broadcast has gone by where I didn’t thank my absurdly lucky stars for your wide open ears and hearts. Over the weekend, I was informed that American Public Media will no longer be producing the show. While this news fills me with sadness, I understand the decision, as my extraordinary teammates and I conceived of Live from Here as a celebration of live, collaborative audible art, and there’s just no telling when it could be that again.

Speaking of my teammates (both on-air and behind the scenes), nothing you’ve heard over the last four seasons would have been possible without their boundless ingenuity, and inexhaustible drive. I’ve been in awe of them every step of the way, and will forever be grateful to have shared the stage AND the office with them.

Though it turns out this past episode of Live from Here was our last new show, I know we’ll have many, many more music-filled evenings together by and by, and I’d like to propose a toast: to all you listeners out there. Thank you. It’s time for this noise-maker to follow your lead.

Love y’all, stay safe!

C