Nearly 40 years ago, legendary singer-songwriter John Prine was a Chicago mailman learning guitar chords from his brother. But he burst onto the national scene in 1971 — with a big push from Kris Kristofferson — and quickly evolved into a serious social satirist/critic and poet.
Though back then he was known primarily as a folk artist, Prine (a cancer survivor) has since dabbled in rockabilly, blues, country, bluegrass and many combinations thereof.
Regardless of the chosen genre, Prine’s best tunes tend to look at events through the gritty lens of everyday folks and ordinary occurrences and they often blend comedy and tragedy, love and loss, the sacred and profane.
Over the years, Prine has been invited to collaborate with such notables as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Iris Dement. Moreover, this understated wordsmith has been covered by nearly everyone under the sun. Still, there is nothing quite like his own quirky original treatments, especially in a live setting.
His latest album for his own Oh Boy! record label is a tasteful collaboration with country elder statesman Mac Wiseman. For his next act, Prine is said to be assembling a gospel record to be titled Religious Songs To Drink By. Amen to that!
John Prine is scheduled to play the Palace Theater Friday November 14th at 8 p.m. Tickets are sure to go fast and the audience will likely be full of his Kentucky kin.
For more information visit www.johnprine.net.
