FOR MANY years he lived in Galway, but it has been a long time since he played a concert here. That changes next year as John Prine, the two time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, returns to Galway as part of his forthcoming tour of Ireland.
Prine's career, which now spans 45 years, has seen him not only win Grammy awards, but has also seen Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and others, record his songs. Prine has also won the praise and admiration of such outstanding songwriters and musicians as Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen.
He is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member whose classic debut album, John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame. Later albums, such as Diamonds in the Rough (1972 ), Bruised Orange (1978 ), Storm Windows (1986 ), The Missing Years (1991 ), In Spite of Ourselves (1999 ), and Fair & Square (2005 ), have also won high acclaim.
Prine has also noted as a startling lyric writer, his most famous line being "There’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes" ('Sam Stone' ). Also noteworthy are, "If dreams were lightning and thunder was desire this old house would have burned down a long time ago" ('Angel from Montgomery' ), and "Broken hearts and dirty windows make life difficult to see, That’s why last night and this morning always look the same to me" ('Souvenirs' ). Little wonder he was recently awarded the prestigious PEN Lyrics Award.
The Illinois born Prine continues to record and perform at sold out shows all over the US, Canada, and Europe. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Fiona, and enjoys spending time with their three sons, a daughter-in-law, and his namesake grandson.
John Prine plays the Seapoint Ballroom, Salthill on Saturday April 8 2017 at 7.30pm as part of his Irish tour which will also take in Cork, Belfast, and Dublin. Tickets are available throughwww.rosindubh.net and www.ticketaster.ie See also www.johnprine.net
