What makes a great artist and a great show

Last night we went to see the famous radio showman Garrison Keillor, live in Park City. Some of his monologue was expected fun and the rest was downright boring. Missing were two key ingredients: Some sparks of enthusiasm or passion and a total lack of crowd engagement.

These two elements are critical if an artist is to earn the respect and adulation of his public. Garrison Keillor failed on both counts and was just using up his dwindling celebrity momentum. Too bad, but it stands as a forceful reminder that in order to maintain anything, you need to keep fueling it or else, you just go down...