April 7th, 2020 John Prine died. He was born October 10, 1946. Tonight, I’m not reading old tomes, but rather liner notes from CDs, as they play. I admit that perhaps 800 CDs are enshrined in the library. Like the books, and some records, they’re old fashioned but have a place in my home. It has been bittersweet listening to these artists, and remembering their concerts that I saw, and the songs that I heard. Strange how they have come together, these stories that at first may not be similar or connected, but then strangely pull closer as a special collection. That is an underlying theme in my library-collections of connections.
I’ll start with David Allen Coe. Saw him at an Illinois county fair. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” written by Steve Goodman. “I was drunk the night my Momma got out of prison, And I went to pick her up in the rain…” It could be hailed as the perfect country and western song. It was also co-written by John Prine.
Then there was Bonnie Raitt, who I saw at a college-town concert. Listened to “Angel from Montgomery” “Just give me one thing that I can hold onto…to believe in this livin’ is just a hard way to go…” This song also was written by John Prine.
A friend of my wife from her work, Karen, spent a New Year’s evening with us, a few years after we moved to Morton. Her young son and daughter were also there. She asked if we had a guitar, and I got one for her. She sang a song with her kids, “That’s the way the world goes round, you’re up one day and the next you’re down…” I said that I know that song, and she then told me that John Prine had written it, and that she sang and recorded with him. Karen then sang a few more of his songs. She had a wonderful voice.
A few months later, John Prine would be coming to Peoria. I called Karen to see if she would like to go with us, and I’ll spring for the tickets. She said “I’ll just call him and ask for tickets. Haven’t seen him for several years, but what the heck.” Next thing I knew there were tickets at the “Will Call” window-with backstage passes. After a GREAT sing-a-long concert, we went back stage to meet John Prine. Nervous, I said “Thank you, Mr. Prine, I thought your….”, then Karen just blurted out “John, you look terrible. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Stunned, I waited for security to whisk us all out, but John just bear-hugged Karen, saying “This is my first concert tour since having throat cancer. It has been way too long not seeing you.” They then both took out pictures of their children to compare. After a few minutes, he said “Are you all hungry, I am.” He then led us to back table of pizzas where we all talked and ate for a time. Heard about his recovery from surgery, speech therapy, special concert for the doctors and hospital that saved his life. He was not shy about it, we were like family. He then apologized to us, saying that he had to spend some time with other people that were invited backstage.
I saw John Prine again at the Genesee Theater in Waukegan, with friends and family, which is not too far away from Lake Marie (and other Twin lake, Lake Elizabeth) that John wrote about, “We were standing, standing by peaceful waters…” John looked a little older that night, like his song “Hello in There”, “Ya know that old trees just grow stronger…and ol’ rivers grow wilder ev’ry day…”
Several hours have gone by tonight with John Prine songs and memories, all made little sadder since he has passed. Perhaps, like with other John Prine fans…”you may see me tonight, with an illegal smile. It don’t cost very much, but it lasts a long while.” And I am sure that John Prine “ate a lot of peaches, and found Jesus…in his own way.”
Thanks for reading.
Librarytomes 