PRINE & SNIDER WARM UP GREEN BAY WI

You could hear a pin drop

"A few years ago I was limping around and favoring my right leg. I knew something was wrong with my back or my knee, so I went to the doctor, It was my hip! He took out my old hip, threw it to the dogs and put a new one. We had this agreement with the insurance company and they sent me home right away with a bunch of Percodan - not as good as they used to be....but they're not bad! This song is about a man and his wife who goes on a little too long about something he hadn't done, he doesn't have much money, but he has the ability to travel, inside his head to the:"
14: Other Side Of Town

"4 years ago I did a movie and it turned out so good that they haven't released it. Billy Bob Thornton directed, produced and acted in it... he did everything but pay for it, I guess" (chuckles from the audience) chuckles from John...."Billy Bob asked me to write a song for when they roll the credits. Now I have never been quite sure if you write a song about what's happening in the movie and the characters or if you just write about anything. It's like watching a movie and a clock radio goes off all of a sudden" John looks startled and looks around, the crowd laughs, and he proceeds, "so I asked Billy Bob" and he just said 'ummmgghh'. "I took that as a yes and wrote this duet. Iris sang it with me and she musta got sick of us cuz she's staying in Kansas City. There is a Boy and a Girl part, I'll point it out to you so you won't get confused"
15: In Spite Of Ourselves during which he would say "This is the girl part" when it would be Iris' turn. It's got everyone laughing, my face hurts from smiling.

Finally the crowd is loose.... "You're Awesome John!" comes from the audience. Without missing a beat John is gracious with "Thanks, Mom"

Again that voice in the balcony begs for Illegal Smile.....

16: Sam Stone
"I learned how to play guitar lessons with the Carter Family.":
17: Bear Creek

He introduced Jason Wilber from Bloomington, IN followed by cheers and whoo-hoos from the crowd. As he introduced Dave Jacques, Meagan and I saw to it that it wasn't just one guy from Worcestershire that responded. We added to the noise rather nicely. John looked at Jason and Dave with surprise and said - "Bloomington won"

18: Sins Of Memphisto
19: Hello In There
20: Lake Marie.... the line about 4 Italian sausages on the outdoor grill, and man they were sizzlin' is always a source of play for John. Some crowds begin to sssssssssssss when the line is coming near, and this quiet, reserved crowd was no different. John completed the verse and said "yeah, there were some snakes too"

21: Ain't Hurtin' Nobody

This next song is for Peter J., he's a real good guy that has been with us for a while now. This is an old song, I'm not sure if we remember it, but we're going to give it a try." 
22: Killing The Blues - ha, they not only remembered it but played it beautifully, and John's voice was wonderful, he may have strained a bit hitting the higher notes, but the road crew had cleared the gravel from his throat for this entire concert. I can only think that he got a well deserved rest last night, maybe it was the moist cold weather... maybe he's still just getting better... whatever the reason, the song was sung with the heart of a 22 year old and the wisdom of a 55 year old. You could hear a pin drop in the crowd, we were all witnessing something that we hadn't heard for a very long time. It was a spectacular.

"This was written on the job and I'm gonna oblige this guy, he's been hollering for it all night long.... Can't you just see me walking down the street to this tune?" 
23: Illegal Smile - This crowd also sang along with every verse and John again said "It's your turn", the house lights went up and he smiled as he played, watched, and listened to the house sing the chorus.

With that he thanked us, all on our feet, whistling, clapping, hoping for more... they waved and left the stage. Just as my hands were going numb they returned.

"Todd's going to help me with this one"

24: Paradise - John and Todd traded verses, while Dave and Jason played this song as if it were written for their own fathers.

It was another fantastic concert...always full of humor and smiles, familiar songs bringing up personal memories. Everyone has their own reason for going to a Prine concert, the songs have touched something in their lives or they were just plain and simple raised on him. Whatever the reason, he always comes through, people don't want to leave - "Play them all" and someday maybe never he just might.

hmmm, What did we miss? Meagan and I decided that if we were in charge of the Prine and Snider show, we wouldn't have a break. Todd would just bring John on with their "Crooked Piece Of Time" duet from his "New Connection" CD - and then he could leave after it was done... John could just start his show. 

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