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"Yes Virginia, there really is a John Prine"
Grab a few fingers and write YOUR PRINE STORY HERE

updated: 4 February, 2010

Current Letters/Stories: FEBRUARY 2010

JANUARY 2010

harlan1021 - IA
1. cut my teeth on folk in mid 70's listening to John and Steve Goodman in Chicago - actually found out a distint relative owned the Earl of Old Town - not sure you played there? 2. Saw you and Steve in Portland, OR in either 1979 or 1980. My friend and I have said it was the best concert every. You were on the stage with just a couch. There was a female artist who joined you and we cannot recall who it was....bonnie koloc? Could you help us solve the mystery.....

David Emerick, Pittsburgh PA - dremerick2005@yahoo.com
Been a long time follower and I'd love to see John Prine in concert. Why doesn't he ever come to Pittsburgh?? I'm in ill health and can't travel to see him . . .would love for him to come to Pittsburgh. My entire ITunes folder is Prine . . .now if only I could see him in concert.

Devlin
Mr. John Prine, how are you? I have had the pleasure of growing up listening to your music. We did not have a working radio in our car so on long car trips it was an absolute tradition for my brother, sisters, parents and I to sing your songs, led by my Dad, Dan. One that we always sang was "Please Don't Bury Me". My father would insert each of our names in different spots..."Put Colleen's socks in a cedar box, just get 'em outta here!" And we would laugh. My Dad was a huge concert goer back in the day. Music has always been part of his soul but the concert days ended when he went totally blind at age 37. He then had a major stroke at 46 (guess the Big Guy likes to test some people). The last time he saw you was almost 30 years ago with Leon Redbone. My parents traveled through a major snowstorm but said they wouldn't have missed it for anything. My Dad is now 64 and I surprised him this Christmas with tickets for my whole family to see you February 20, 2010 in Red Bank. Everyone is beyond excited! My mom, Kathy, has only been listening to John Prine radio on Pandora and my Dad can't stop quoting you (although sometimes Dylan gets thrown in too). My Dad is a poet himself and appreciates the heck out of good lyrics. I am writing to you to ask a special request to honor my Dad, who has been my inspiration in life. It would mean the WORLD to all of us if you could surprise him, by sending out "Please Don't Bury Me" to Dan and his family car rides. If this is too much to ask, if you could please put it on your set list that night. My Mom and I both think "Christmas In Prison" is one of the prettiest songs ever written, if by chance you wanted to include that on your list as well (but don't want to be too pushy). Thank you for many, many fun family times sharing your music. You are a legendary singer/songwriter and holy cow,we cannot wait to experience your show! Be well and thanks again for even considering this. Devlin McCaffrey House Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Housealexdev@aol.com

garylolson1@live.com
John, What have you become? I raised my children on your music and now I can't even play "paradise"on your website! My God, man, what have you become?!

Louis - Louisana
The only time I ever saw John in person was at a small place called "the Kingfish" in Baton Rouge. I believe it was in the spring of '76. Some college buddies has turned me on to his records a few months earlier, and I had become by then a huge fan. John appeared with no backup whatsoever - just him, an accoustic guitar, and a microphone - but his music filled the hall as well as any ten-piece orchestra. Nearly thirty years later I was nearing the end of an extended business trip in San Antonio. I read where John would be appearing in just a few weeks. I swore if my project lasted that long I would be there to see him. But it ended early and I had to pack up and leave. Hopefully, I'll get so see him play again someday.

Darren
Hi. I have loved and sang John Prine songs since the early 80's. I have seen him three times in concert; which is remarkable because I live in Northern Quebec, Canada. ( 500 miles north of nowhere ) on the James Bay Coast. But, I have just done two things. Discovered this web-site and realized @#!# if John has aged that much I must be up there too; and come out of 20 years of pentecostal confusion. John it is a true delight to be listening to you again. You can put in words what we all feel, but just can't express in a way that really makes sense. Thanks - Don't Stop

Kelly Horton/ Etters, PA
Its amazing how someone youve never met can touch your life in so many ways. I grew up listening to your music, as my whole family are some of your biggest fans. My children are third generation John Prine fans! When I hear your music, it just feels like home. My brothers wedding song was in spite of ourselves....we are hard core, lol. I am getting married June 26th, and I can guarantee, i will be doing the father daughter dance to one of your songs (havent decided yet, thinking angels in montgomery) I will be seeing you in Philly when you come, Ill be the one singing all the words to every song! Thanks for being such a great fun part of our family!

Jim Widick Thousand Oaks CA
I've seen you every time you were near. One night on Sept. 9, at the Ventura Theater you ask the audience to help you with a song. Instead of us singing the chouris we sang the whole song with you. You are one of a kind. Thank God there are people like you.

henry otis/ ocala fl.
.....mr prine / this is not a story/ a vague memory & # 1 guess thatit is a part of a song of yours ! / it has to do w/ a man going to heaven & rejoining his arm & especially his dog !can you place it / i must say that tho it may seem to be a trite & un / eventful image ~ memory disjunct / thru-out the years ( i'd guess aprox - thirty ! ) this piece of lyric w/o note or meter has entered my recollection/ involuntary screen & whap ! puzzle question/ mark ? " that was john prine / gotta be john prine / can't even consider anyone else / gotta be john prine / tho i can't PLace it / i'd bet if it's yours you can in a flASh / any luck ? thanks for the time john/.. from one old timer for to another # # a favorite o' mine is a live version of / where you say/..... " rome italy / not new york/ don't kno what i was doin' there / was just there " a cool piece o' reverie/.... thanks john ~ henryotis@gmail.com

Eden Lewis- Atlanta, GA
Dear John- Ever since I was a baby, your music has filled my life. My daddy loves you and he and his best friend Tom sit around and pick out your songs on guitar all the time. When i was growing up, one of your records was constantly playing in our house, and as soon as I was old enough to go to a concert I got to see you play live. You could say our family are some of your biggest fans. My daddy played your music for us so much that my brother and I knew the words to your songs before we even knew your name. My brother took up playing guitar a few years ago and the first song he learned to play was "Paradise", since then he's expanded his repertoire to include just about every song you've written. Also, my dad's car, which I've recently been allowed to drive, has your John Prine air freshener hanging from the rear-view, (that's something that always makes for good conversation). All of this, however, is just a lot of talk about how much our family loves you. Something you've probably heard before. The reason I'm writing this, however, is probably something you've never heard before. Today I found out that we share the same birthday, October 10th, and while it's exciting for both of us to have our birthday's fall this year on 10/10/10, it's especially exciting for me because I'll be turning 18. Just thought you might like to hear that, and that it might make you smile to know that one of your biggest fans shares something in common with you. Keep on making music and touching lives with your lyrics, and know that I'll keep you in the family and that someday I'll be able to tell my kids about the incredible musician John Prine, who's birthday I had the honor to share. Your Fan- Eden Lewis

Cathy Yetman - Alberta/Nova Scotia Canada
Dear John, My name is Cathy Yetman, I'm 26 years old and live in Fort McMurray, Alberta. I wanted to write you to let you know how much you've touched my families lives. My step father Billy MacLeod was a country musician, he travelled the world for 20 years with his ex wife Cornelia making music. He was so heavily influenced by you, that they named their only son John-Willie (Willie after Willie Nelson). You met them once back in the 80's, here is a picture (note to webmaster: feel free to put this on the website if you'd like): http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/cathapedia/00000000000.jpg Billy first came into my life when I was 12 years old and going through those bratty teenage years. At first we fought like cats and dogs, but once I let him in, he became my best friend. I was into heavier music back then, Nirvana being my favorite band, and I never got the appeal of Country music. As I got older I developed an appreciation for country music that caught me off guard, although it's the older style country music that drew me in, artists like yourself, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, etc. I realized that you need to experience life and love and loss to truly be able to appreciate the music the way it should be. When I was 21 I moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia and through my roommate discovered "In Spite Of Ourselves". We were hopelessly addicted to the song, always playing it when we needed to be cheered up, and singing it for our friends at parties as we both felt it was the best song we'd ever heard haha. The following is a video from one such occasion, we're certainly no John Prine or Iris Dement haha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4xFEi2dUbY Christmas 2007 saw an event that neither Billy or I ever thought would happen. We spent the night at his family farm in Cape Breton, while his son and him took turns playing songs for us. It was one of the best nights of my life. Billy and I ended up doing a duet to In Spite Of Ourselves, and it was a surreal moment for both of us. So special I'll never forget it. When we were done he looked up at me with such pride in his eyes. I have a picture of that as well haha: http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/cathapedia/0000spiyr.jpg He also did a duet with his son to "Speed of the Sound of Lonliness": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBd8OCBVHRE Of course we couldn't know it then, but three weeks later Billy would suffer a stroke. He hung on and made more progress than the doctors ever thought he would, but eventually his body gave in and he passed away on December 27th 2009. He wasn't aware of much during his time in the hospital, but he never stopped playing music, he always had his guitar with him. Even after he passed away, your music continued to be a part of our lives, and to help us with our grief. His son recorded a cover of Speed of the Sound of Lonliness in his honor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8ClY0Rc78 We discovered your cover of Steve Goodman's song "My Old Man" and listen to it whenever we're missing him a lot. He was a truly special human being, and very talented. His ex wife and him and being honored for their lifetime achievements in east coast music at this year's East Coast Music Awards, "The Stompin Tom Connor Award" haha. I listen to your music all the time now, and am so thankful for being introduced to it through him, you truly are an amazing artist. It was a shock for me to see just how much Billy was influenced by you as I became more familar with your work. I'd like to share some of their music with you, I know I'm throwing a lot at you here and you're probably too busy to sit down and watch it all, but if nothing else maybe some fellow Prine fans will see this and enjoy it. Thank you for the gift of your music John, it will always mean a lot to my family and I. Sunset In May (written and performed by Billy MacLeod): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J5iVlsyWR8 Billy MacLeod Medley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkJpyEhg8tw Poor Little Me (Written by John Willie MacLeod, performed by John Willie MacLeod and Cathy Yetman): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejGEJCN83oo It Ain't Over Yet (Written and performed by John Willie MacLeod): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4iMxO2ohr0 Light In The Darkness (Written and performed by John Willie MacLeod): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgacyVo-A3U Thank you again John, and God Bless... - The Yetman/MacLeod Family catherinemarie@live.ca

mike new jersey
john, you write music about viet nam veterans, did you serve during the viet nam war? mike

Claire Drewes
Well, there are days I wonder if I weren't born while listening to JP. I can't remember life without Prine tunes. When I was little, I had chronic headaches. My father believed in two things to heal them: dimmed lights and John Prine tunes. It was in those moments that I memorized Hello IN there, Storm Windows, Spanish Pipedream, Donald and Lydia. I saw you perform for the first time at age 7 (I am 38 now). I have since (tried) to see you every year - - at least once. You have been with us for many life transitions: When my father was appointed a judgeship, I drove to my hometown and we drove around town blaring Spanish Pipedream ( I LOVE that this is your first song on tour these days!); When I graduated college and drove west, I found a dog on the side of the road. Upon bringing him into my car, I thought, what better name than JP. He lived for 14 years. When I got married, we sang Fish and whistle (my husband is now as big a fan); When my father was diagnosed with cancer at 50, we sat and listened to Angel from Montgomery; When he died at 52, we sang and cried every JP song we knew. Now, with three little boys, we keep your music alive in our home. My oldest son loves: Its a big ol' Goofy world; My middle son loves Its a happy enchilada, and my youngest loves In Spite of ourselves - - luckily he does not know what many of the words mean! We will be flying from CO to Austin to see you for my birthday gift to myself. I would love to get an autugraph for all three boys. Let me know if there is any way to get on a "list". In the meantime, I continue to marvel at your abilities to song write. I love Fair and Square as if I have never heard your others before! Looking forward to many many more JP years, and always hoping you will be back to Red Rocks again this summer! And maybe Telluride again? To me, that was what heaven MUST be like. Thanks JP for a life time of good tunes and life's soul food! Claire Drewes Longmont CO

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