Legendary artist returns to Atlantic Canada for first time in more than five years.
Forty-five years into a remarkable career that has drawn effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, and others who would know, Prine is a smiling, shuffling force for good. He is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member whose classic debut album, simply titled John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame. Prine’s songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, the Everly Brothers, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and many others. But his genius isn’t found in his resume, it’s found in the brilliance of lyrics from his large catalogue of songs.
John’s music has stayed as relevant as ever. A song called ‘Paradise’ written by John, for his father, and was a track on his 1971 debut album, has recently reappeared in the headlines. The song is about the devastating impact of coal strip mining, with references to Peabody Coal Company, who, before declaring bankruptcy in 2016, had fought to keep the lyrics to ‘Paradise’ from a lawsuit.
John Prine’s current album ‘For Better, Or Worse’ has debuted on the Billboard charts at #2 on the Country chart, #5 on the Americana/Folk chart, #7 on the Independent Albums chart, and #30 on the Billboard 200, making it his highest-charting album to date. The numbers were confirmed the day after John’s 70th birthday on October 10, which the Mayor of Nashville officially declared John Prine Day in Nashville.
‘For Better, Or Worse’ is currently #1 at Americana Radio and has earned widespread praise from the LA Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR Music, who called the new music “honest” and “emotionally impactful.” The Wall Street Journal said, “Mr. Prine excels and delights in the interactive give and take of duet comedy and drama.” Mojo called it “heart-warming” and The Guardian called it “joyous, maudlin and gritty”.
Prine is an Americana Music Honors & Awards winner for lifetime achievement in songwriting and was awarded the prestigious PEN Lyrics Award this past September. He continues to record and perform sold-out shows throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe.
John Prine + Amanda Shires | Fri., May 12, 2017 | 8 p.m. | Convocation Hall | Sackville, NB | Tickets at the Mount Allison Bookstore (Wallace McCain Student Centre), or Ticketpro at 1 888-311-9090 and www.ticketpro.ca
John Prine + Amanda Shires | Sun., May 14, 2017 | 8 p.m. | Fredericton Playhouse
Tickets at the Playhouse box office, (506) 458-8344 or 1-866-884-5800, and www.theplayhouse.ca
John Prine + Amanda Shires | Tue., May 16, 2017 | 8 p.m. | Rebecca Cohn Auditorium | Halifax, NS
Tickets at the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office, (902) 494-3820 or 1-800-874-1669, and www.artscentre.dal.ca
Phillips Public Relations Media Release
