John Prine ‘virtual’ tribute set for Old Town School of Folk Music via Zoom

Fans can join in for an evening of playing and singing along to his debut album.

SHARE John Prine ‘virtual’ tribute set for Old Town School of Folk Music via Zoom
John Prine passed away Tuesday night at the age of 73.

John Prine passed away Tuesday night at the age of 73.

Danny Clinch Photo

Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, where John Prine took guitar lessons and where he was often spotted, is hosting a special tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter who passed away Tuesday night from complications of coronavirus.

You can tune in at 8 p.m. tonight (April 8) via Zoom for a free evening of playing and singing along to his eponymous 1971 album. The iconic album is known for some of his most memorable story songs including “Paradise,” “Sam Stone,” “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven Anymore” and “Paradise.” The event will be hosted by the school’s program manager Jimmy Tomasello.

For information about joining in the tribute, visit:  http://ots.fm/prinesongbag

Both Oh Boy Records (Prine’s label) and his wife Fiona Whelan Prine issued statements Wednesday remembering him and thanking the world for its support.

“Our beloved John died yesterday evening at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville TN. We have no words to describe the grief our family is experiencing at this time. John was the love of my life and adored by our sons Jody, Jack and Tommy, daughter in law Fanny, and by our grandchildren,” Whelan Prine said.

“John contracted Covid-19 and in spite of the incredible skill and care of his medical team at Vanderbilt he could not overcome the damage this virus inflicted on his body. I sat with John — who was deeply sedated — in the hours before he passed and will be forever grateful for that opportunity.

“My dearest wish is that people of all ages take this virus seriously and follow guidelines set by the CDC. We send our condolences and love to the thousands of other American families who are grieving the loss of loved ones at this time — and to so many other families across the world. 

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love we have received from family, friends, and fans all over the world. John will be so missed but he will continue to comfort us with his words and music and the gifts of kindness, humor and love he left for all of us to share.”

The statement from the label’s “family” read, in part: “Thank you for your love and support of John all these years. We know that it is what kept him going. He absolutely loved what he did, and he loved all of you. Thank you and we love you.”

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be made to one of the following non-profits with ties to Prine’s beloved Nashville:

  • thistlefarms.org, an organization “helping women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction find healing, hope, and freedom.”
  • roomintheinn.org, an organization providing programs and resources “that emphasize human development and recovery through education, self-help and work, centered in community and long term support for those who call the streets of Nashville home.”
  • nashvillerescuemission.org, a Christian-based organization “committed to helping the hungry, homeless, and hurting by providing programs and services that focus on a person’s entire life—physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social.”

The Latest
Unite Here Local 1, representing the workers at the Signature Room and its lounge, said in a lawsuit in October the employer failed to give 60 days notice of a closing or mass layoff, violating state law.
Uecker has been synonymous with Milwaukee baseball for over half a century.
Doctors say looking at the April 8 eclipse without approved solar glasses — which are many times darker than sunglasses — can lead to retinal burns and can result in blind spots and permanent vision loss.
Antoine Perteet, 33, targeted victims on the dating app Grindr, according to Chicago police.
Glass-facade buildings can disorient birds in flight. The city is expected to update and revise rules for new developments and rehabbed buildings next month. But bird groups say the proposed guidelines need to be mandatory.