John Prine nominated for Songwriters Hall of Fame

John Prine is nominated for induction into the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame. The 50th annual Induction and Awards Gala will take place on June 13, 2019 in New York City.

The nomination adds to an already milestone year for Prine, who is nominated for the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, won Artist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards and released his critically acclaimed new album, The Tree of Forgiveness.

Released on his own independent label, Oh Boy Records, The Tree of Forgiveness is Prine’sfirst record featuring new material in over 13 years and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb (purchase/stream here). It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 54,000 equivalent albums sold in its first week—a career high chart position and sales week for the legendary singer, songwriter and performer. The album also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, #2 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and #2 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart.

In celebration of the album, Prine’s extensive nationwide tour is currently underway including a newly confirmed New Year’s Eve show at Nashville’s Opry House withNathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and special guest Iris DeMent. Of his recent sold out show at Radio City Music Hall, Rolling Stone declares, “…a night of joy and love at one of the most biggest shows of the veteran singer-songwriter’s career.” All 2018 shows are now on-sale. See below for complete details. Every concert ticket sold will include a copyThe Tree of Forgiveness (CD only).

Recent acclaim for Prine and The Tree of Forgiveness…

“Prine rekindles the straight-ahead, earthbound spirit that made him a
songwriting icon in the first place…”—Associated Press

 “Across the LP, Prine blends goofball wit and aw-shucks surrealism
to conjure the ordinary and the profound, absurdist whimsy and existential despair,
laughter and tears.”—The Guardian

“An American treasure”—GQ Style

“Prine moves effortlessly among songs bursting with humor to others
that resonate deeply and profoundly…”—Los Angeles Times

 “America’s Greatest Living Songwriter”—Men’s Journal

“There’s possibly no living figure more influential on the
current class of artists in roots, country and Americana than Prine…what he cooks up reveals truths about humanity’s blessings as well as its curses. He’s not passing out spoonfuls of sugar to make the medicine go down. Instead, he’s trying to help us tolerate the bitter taste left by bewildering, painful experiences like death and love. It makes everything else seem that much sweeter.”—Nashville Scene

“The best John Prine song is probably just the last one you listened to—
and now there are ten more of them.”—The New Yorker

 “…the kind of song Mr. Prine has been writing since his career began:
a handful of folky chords, a melody that sounds like it’s always been around, a grainy and understated vocal and lyrics that summon complex emotions in a rigorous minimum of syllables.”—The New York Times

“In this album, The Tree of Forgiveness, all his roots merge. He may be singing
about going to heaven, but his earthiness keeps his music alive.”—NPR Fresh Air

 “The master craftsman returns with his first new tunes in 13 years…
the age-appropriate vibe of Prine’s vocals only serves to deepen the impact of his lyrics, especially when he employs the kind of deadpan delivery that’s always been one of his secret superpowers.”—NPR Music

“…showcases the album’s beautifully simplistic writing that reads like poetry, relying mostly on end rhyme to tie in the artist’s message of longing to return to a place where he can feel at home.”—Paste

“The songwriter’s first album of new music in 13 years is wise and economical. At 71, John Prine is a virtuoso at understatement, finding the joy in the mundane, and writing about what it means to be alive.”—Pitchfork

“The simple arrangements here hark back to his early albums,
allowing the words and his voice to shine brightly. The songs are short, and his voice is barely a whisper, but they’re pure Prine, with vignettes marked by unforgettable melodies and sharp, insightful lyrics.”—Relix

“…it’s as deft and thoughtful as a devoted fan could hope for…a meditative back-porch sort of record, content even with its mild discontent. But casual elegance abounds…Prine is an Illinois native, a god-tier singer-songwriter, and an American legend.”—The Ringer

“…it’s very good, frequently brilliant, with all the qualities that define Prine’s music.”
★★★★—Rolling Stone

50 Best Albums of 2018 So Far—Rolling Stone

“The balance of humor, plain language and reality in his
music is what makes him stand out in the genres of folk, country and beyond.…his best performing album of his entire career.”—Sound Opinions

“Prine’s heart is all human. It beats in every song on The Tree of Forgiveness…the most personal record of his 47-year recording career.”—The Tennessean

“To understand why he has endured for nearly 50 years as one of the most beloved singer-songwriters ever, you have to rely on anecdotal evidence. You must point to actual human beings, rather than numbers, to understand the breadth of his impact.”—UPROXX

“It’s prime Prine: Accompanied by simple, instantly memorable memories, its lyrics tell of the agonies and absurdities of life that often stand side by side…musically as well as lyrically, The Tree of Forgiveness is a pleasure, one that, though a long time coming, will delight for a period that’s longer still…It’s a soul-deep treat to be in his company
once again.”—The Wall Street Journal

Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, the album includes ten new songs written by Prine along with co-writers Pat McLaughlin, Roger Cook, Dan Auerbach, Keith Sykes,David Ferguson and Phil Spector. Along with Prine (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Cobb (acoustic guitar, mellotron, claps, kazoo) and Prine’s longtime band, the album features special guests Brandi Carlile (harmony vocals on tracks 2, 4, 10), Jason Isbell (electric guitar on track 7, slide guitar and background vocals on track 9, 10) and Amanda Shires (fiddle and background vocals on track 9, background vocals on track 10).

A two-time Grammy-winner, Prine is among the English language’s premier phrase-turners. Almost 50 years into a remarkable career that has drawn effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and others who would know, Prine is a smiling, shuffling force for good. He is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and a PEN New England Lyrics Award recipient whose classic debut album, simply titled John Prine, is recognized as part of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame and whose songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band and many others.

Following the 2015 death of his friend and business partner Al Bunetta, Prine is now President and sole owner of Oh Boy Records. He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, Fiona, and enjoys spending time with their three sons, a daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.

November 8—Grand Junction, CO—Avalon Theatre (with Nathaniel Rateliff) SOLD OUT

November 10—Denver, CO—Buell Center (with Nathaniel Rateliff) SOLD OUT

November 16—Kansas City, MO—Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland (with Conor Oberst)

November 17—Omaha, NE—Orpheum Theatre (with Conor Oberst)

December 3—New York, NY—Holiday Cheer for WFUV

December 7—Toronto, ON—Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

December 8—London, ON—Centennial Hall

December 12—Las Vegas, NV—Westgate Theatre (with John Paul White)

December 14—Phoenix, AZ—Celebrity Theatre (with John Paul White)

December 15—Tucson, AZ—Fox Theatre (with John Paul White) SOLD OUT

December 31—Nashville, TN—Opry House (with Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and special guest Iris DeMent) SOLD OUT