Here's Johnny

Dim went the lights, loud went the people as Prine took center stage flanked by Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber as they played their standard concert opener

1: Spanish Pipedream
2: Flag Decal - he said he thought this one had been stuffed, mounted and forgotten about, but he had to drag it out as a request for the president... it's an old song that just won't go away.
3: 6 o'Clock News (Jason really made his guitar weep)
4: Souvenirs - He said this was his mom's favorite and how Steve had a unique way of playing guitar that made John sound like he was playing the good parts.

John told us of how he met his older brother Dave in Arkansas to do one of his favorite things - and he wasn't sure what he liked more - Fishing, or talking about it...."but I can tell you one thing for sure - I can't whistle worth a shit."
5: Fish & Whistle
6: Grandpa Was A Carpenter
7: Picture Show

There is a long applause and Prine flashes a grin to the crowd "I'm just getting started - it's Elizabeth's 12th birthday and it's a very important birthday, he looked down in the front row and sang for her

8: It's A Big Old Goofy World
9: Glory Of True Love - this is a newer song that he wrote with Roger Cook with his wife Fiona in mind (in Prine's mind, and he hope that Roger had someone else in mind....)
10: I'm Just Getting By - I just love the melody on this one
11: All The Best
12: Angel From Montgomery - (I look over at my eldest daughter who is blubbering, tears streaming down her face - but stlll she manages a smile like she's enjoying it) 
13: Long Monday - (the newest one, and it'll give you a kiss that will last all week)
14: Donald & Lydia
15: Bottomless Lake (beer and circles on the roadmap story, along with "My God, this woman has never lied to us before)
16: Dear Abby
Prine takes a sip of water, adjusts his guitar and talks about his blue transistor radio, misheard lyrics, grumbly beans, top 40, and the whole entire happy enchilada story - it's a taste treat when he tells the entire story leading up to the song, no matter how many times I have heard, I still laugh until I cry.... the mark of a great storyteller/
17: That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round (again, grinning out at us - "I told you I only had 1 lick") 

John takes another sip of his guitar and tells us how he talked to his buddy tpday that was laid up in the hospital and he asked if he could sing him a song tonight. With a little thought, his buddy Crusher requested 
18: A Good Time - and John didn't miss a lick. My heart was thumping, I am trying to call Crusher on the cell phone - youngest daughter is trying to record it on hers... neither one of us had much luck. I knew however that if Prine did call Crusher, this was just the icing on the cake. Later, when I described in as much detail as possible without having to sing it word for word for Crusher - I could tell that his spirits were 100% better. I suppose that you may be curious what a Prine phone call is like... other than the thrill of a Prine phone call, it was pretty normal - they talked about health, operations, and what else.... fishing. 

19: Other Side Of Town
20: Sam Stone

21: That's All Right By Me
22: Ain't Hurtin' Nobody
23: Bear Creek
He introduced his talented side men Jason Wilber and Dave Jacques - said one of them barely made it to the show, thanks to Northwest Airlines.

24: Sins of Memphisto
The whole time he's singing this song, it's obvious that he's really enjoy the signers to his left - "Wonderful job signers, You've got more lyrics, right?"
25: Lake Marie

They leave the stage, waving, bowing graciously to thunderous applause beckoning them back for more. Prine re-enters the stage and hits us with YET another new one....

26: Crazy As A Loon (this one makes my heart heavy, puts a lump in my throat and that's just the melody - the song is a sadly humorous look at fame and fortune, with what can best be described as the Dorothy Gale syndrome (forget Peter Pan - There's no place like home....)

He calls RB Morris back to the stage to end the night with -

27: Paradise

27 Prine songs in one night! That's nearly 3 full albums worth of songs, and one was a shiny new album. What a thrill, am I just putting too much thought in it, I don't think so, as the buzz after the concert was just as high as we stood outside the green room watching Jason and Dave sign guitars and pose for photos.

Tee hee... this is where the 'after show begins...