Richard Dworsky

Who is Richard Dworsky?

Richard A. Dworsky is a classically trained pianist and composer who plays Blues and Gospel on a Hammond B3 organ and keeps up with world class pickers playing his unique "Bluegrass piano" style; who composes classical, theater, and film music; writes jazz ballads; and has the ability to improvise compositions on the spot in virtually any style.

Since 1986, he's been the resident pianist, organist, band leader, and music director for Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, a live radio variety show with an audience of over 4 million in the United States, as well as overseas audiences on England's BBC, Australia's ABC, and Armed Forces Radio. On the weekly shows, Dworsky provides original theatrical underscoring, leads The Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, and performs as a featured soloist. A regular since 1986, he has accompanied Keillor and many of his guests including: James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Carole King, Elvis Costello, Taj Mahal, The Everly Brothers, Yo-Yo Ma, Brad Paisley, Renée Fleming, Jerry Douglas, Mark O'Connor, Kristin Chenoweth, Shawn Colvin, and Mark Knopfler. He has appeared on many of Keillor's CDs and videos, and in TV specials on The Disney Channel, PBS, and the BBC. Dworsky frequently appears with Keillor in concerts throughout the United States and Europe as a duo, with orchestra, and with Keillor's Hopeful Gospel Quartet. He made his on-screen film debut as pianist/bandleader in the 2006 Robert Altman film, A Prairie Home Companion, with an all-star ensemble cast including Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, and Keillor. Behind the scenes, Dworsky also served as the film's music director, arranger, and composer.