That's The Way that The World Goes 'round". He tells a hilarious story about Fats Domino and Grumbley Beans, Jimmy Buffet, food songs and of course Happy Enchilada's - I think the story was much longer than the song, and even Dave Prine, John's older brother, teacher and inspiration was belly laughing loud. I recognized the infamous fiddle playing bridge designer seated in front of me as none other than he. He kind of looks like Santa Claus and is totally engrossed in this concert with an ever satisfied and proud grin on his face.

John talks about his next song "The Other Side of Town" and how it had come about as a result of Percodan and a rusty hip. This is the funniest story of the night...but I won't give the punch line and ruin it for the rest of you. I do think that maybe he has adjusted the words on this song or my ears are full of grumbly beans but I swear that tonight he sang "He wears a smile even when he wears a crown" instead of "frown". I liked the line better, maybe because I expected frown... I dunno 

Sam Stone
Bear Creek and the reminder that he is going into the studio on Monday to perform it on an upcoming Cash Tribute Album. After this song the two women in front of me excuse themselves, and I take the opportunity to lean over and as the elder Mr Prine for his autograph and thank him for being his little brother's inspiration. He apologizes for a "not to neat signature" (I'm just tickled beyond myself). At that moment John says that his brother Dave is in the audience and how he was his inspiration - Dave rises from his seat and waves back to John ---

"That's All Right With Me" - "If you wish upon a falling star, and figure out exactly who you are, that's all right by me babe ..." I love these new love songs - me and the webmister are coming up on our 25th next year, and we 'get' these new ones more than we want to admit it.

Ain't Hurtin Nobody (for Howie Epstein)

He wipes his forehead, waters his throat and introduces his band on lead guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and vocals...Jason "Shorty" Wilber - (see jasonwilber.com for more on this guy - and ladies, he's happily married so adore from afar). 

He introduces Dave Jacques as the busiest man in Nashville, "Everybody wants him and I'm lucky to have him" He notes that Dave is the single one of the group... Dave looks kind of shy, but I've heard what women are fantasizing about while watching hime caress that upright bass....

Sins of Memphisto  (like a french fry at McDonalds)

Hello In There (I love you Mom)

Lake Marie and he tossed in a "with my brown eyed girl" and said goodnight.

Like we were going to let him get away that easy. This rowdy crowd had just the noise to bring them back for an encore, and what a treat it was. They did four more songs with the energy of fresh out of the green room musicians.

Christmas in Prison

Daddy's Little Pumpkin

Illegal Smile

Paradise - without Leon Redbone. I had wondered if he would hang around another two and half hours to come play - it would have been fun to see John, Leon, Jason, Dave, Redbone's trumpet and piano player do a song or two together... a little whistlin and fishing song with Redbone whistling a solo theme from "Mayberry RFD" perhaps or Prine doing Prine in ragtime... interesting thought but no go.... 

Never a dull moment at a Prine concert... and never a bad concert... I can see why this was Crusher's 70 somethingth... they're addicting, you go because they make you feel good regardless of venue or crowd.