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It was Spring Break, senior year of high school, 1981, when I first fell in love with @JohnPrineMusic My buddy Lou Zimmerman and I had headed down to Piney Campground early to prepare for the weekend bacchanal of beer, buddies, and celebration of being Adults.
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Lou brought his boombox and one tape he had borrowed from his brother - PRIME PRINE. At the time, being more of an ACDC and Van Halen sort of guy, I wasn’t too thrilled. A drizzle set in for the afternoon, forcing us into our tent.
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We had beer, so… me, Lou, and Prine sat in that tent and got completely sloshed. Prine made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me fall in love with music on a whole other level.
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Years later, after I’d packed up my dreams and headed to the Big City, I was living in Chicago, in the same neighborhood where a decade earlier, Prine had worked as mailman. The Old Town School Of Folk Music was just down the street.
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While going to Acting School, I had set out to teach myself how to play guitar. Being homesick as hell, I learned to play and sing “Paradise”. That song was a balm, connecting me to my history and my future. John’s songs were so, so rich - full of humor and pathos.
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He could run you through the gamut of emotions, often in the same song, sometimes in a single line.
Jump ahead a decade and a half, I was on a big tv show. I had made several new friends in Nashville, among them was David Ferguson.
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Jump ahead a decade and a half, I was on a big tv show. I had made several new friends in Nashville, among them was David Ferguson.
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Ferg and Prine owned The Butcher Shop Recording Studio. The next time I came to town, Ferg hosted a get together/picking party at their place. My memory is foggy at the moment, but I think that was the first time I met John.
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Anyways… he loved DEADWOOD. I loved his work. We had a mutual appreciation society. He would invite me to shows. It never ceased to amaze and thrill me that John Prine even knew my name.
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As the DEADWOOD MOVIE was headed into production, John had released his first new album in ages and he had the biggest hit of his career. I invited him to visit the set and maybe play cowboy for a day or two (as his protege Jason Isbell did).
Unfortunately, his touring schedule wouldn’t allow it.
Thank you Lou Zimmerman for stealing your brother’s tape (and your dad’s beer). Thank you David Ferguson for introducing me. Thank you John for being a beacon and a friend - your art is what I’ve aspired toward my whole life
Thank you Lou Zimmerman for stealing your brother’s tape (and your dad’s beer). Thank you David Ferguson for introducing me. Thank you John for being a beacon and a friend - your art is what I’ve aspired toward my whole life
. Ain’t there yet, but I’ll keep reaching. Enjoy that Vodka & Ginger Ale with your 9-mile cigarette. Cya at the TREE OF FORGIVENESS someday - please put me on the guest list.
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