Richard Dworsky

Richard Dworsky is a keyboardist, composer and music producer from Minnesota. He has been the bandleader for most of his 20-year tenure at the weekly radio program A Prairie Home Companion, produced several albums independently and has collaborated with a variety of notable artists.

Early life Growing up in Saint Paul, Dworsky was a precocious piano player, taking lessons as early as six years old.

Starting at age 16, Dworsky became part of the Twin Cities live music scene. He soon found a spot in Al Jarreau's band with whom he toured for over two years to places like North Dakota, Alberta and Manitoba, opening for bands such as Steppenwolf and Canned Heat. Dworsky, Jarreau, and bandmate Bobby Schnitzer moved to California in 1971, where Dworsky wrote new material influenced by the likes of Miles Davis and Frank Zappa while pursuing a recording deal that never materialized. Dworsky went back home to Minnesota in 1973.

Back from California, Dworsky enrolled in the music program at the University of Minnesota and worked for seven years as a pianist, conductor and composer at the Children's Theatre Company. He also recorded piano music for Windham Hill Records during that period. He stayed on when Keillor left in 2016 and through the program's rebrand as Live from Here, but left in 2018. During that period and subsequently, he has continued to collaborate with Keillor on several tours and projects. His album All In Due Time adapts several pieces from the radio show. Guest artists include Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Jarreau and Sally Dworsky.

His post-Prairie Home production includes collaborations with other artists such as Gaby Moreno and Nicole Zuraitis. His songs have been sung by recognized artists such as Kristin Chenoweth

He composed and performed the piece Won't you be my ginger that served as the theme for Richmal Crompton's BBC recordings of the Just William books of stories.

Personal life As of 2016, Dworsky lived in Wayzata. He is a proficient salsa dancer.

Discography Albums Back to the Garden (1992) - Gift Horse Recording / Blix Street The heart of Spring (1995) - Northword The path to you (2000) - Inner Vista Records So near and dear to me (2002) - Prairie Home Productions All in Due Time (2025)

Included in compilations A morning with the roses (1985) - Windham Hill Records

Collaborations All that lasts with Dominick Farinacci It's our turn now with Tony DeSare Springtime prayer with Nola Richardson Hold on to Spring with Peter Odtroushko The show closed out of town with Nicole Zuraitis