John Prine debuts cover of “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight”

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Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer John Prine is debuting a new cover of “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” today. Listen/share HERE. Released in advance of the Kentucky Derby this weekend, “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” was written by Stephen Collins Foster and originally recorded by Prine in 2004 as part of a compilation album created in Foster’s honor.

In addition to today’s digital release, the song will also be available on a limited amount of 7-inch, Kentucky blue vinyl. Also included on the vinyl is a live version of Prine’s acclaimed song, “Paradise,” featuring special guest Tyler Childers. Pre-order HERE. Proceeds from the release go towards the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, a non-profit law firm supported by Prine and Childers that represents coal miners and their families in the Appalachian region.

The release of “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” follows a landmark year for Prine, whose new album, The Tree of Forgiveness, continues to receive widespread critical acclaim(purchase/ stream here). Out now on his own independent label, Oh Boy Records, The Tree of Forgiveness is Prine’s first album featuring new material in over 13 years and was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb. Upon its release, the album debuted at #5 on theBillboard 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.

Additionally, Prine is among the 2019 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. The 50th Annual Induction and Awards Gala will take place on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Of the recognition, Prine shares, “I am thrilled to hear about my induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. I have been proud to make my living as a songwriter for almost 50 years now. I have to say it’s a bonus to be elected by your fellow songwriters. Thank You to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

In continued celebration of the album, Prine will perform select shows throughout 2019, including upcoming stops at Minneapolis’ Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre and Hollywood’s John Anson Ford Amphitheatre among several others. Additionally, on July 28, Prine will perform at Red Rock Amphitheatre with the Colorado Symphony. The landmark concert is Prine’s first-ever orchestral performance and will feature arrangements by Dave Cobb. Moreover, Prine’s sold out All The Best Fest—a destination concert vacation—will take place at the all-inclusive Breathless + Now Onyx Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic November 11-15, 2019. Of Prine’s sold out show at Radio City Music Hall, Rolling Stone declares, “…a night of joy and love at one of the biggest shows of the veteran singer-songwriter’s career.”

Recent acclaim for Prine and The Tree of Forgiveness…

“Stunningly, The Tree Of Forgiveness can nearly go toe-to-toe with John Prine’s towering debut 37 years ago. Prine’s way with a phrase that makes you chuckle and yanks a tear all at once is undiminished…Please, John, don’t make us wait so long next time for more wit and wisdom.”
—American Songwriter, Top 25 Albums Of 2018

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

“…a straightforward, honest album that releases into a world in desperate need for the truth.”
—Esquire, The 10 Best Country Albums of 2018

 “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

“John Prine is a national treasure.”—NPR Music, Best Albums of 2018

“Summer’s End”: 100 Best Songs of 2018—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.

1. “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door” (by John Prine and Pat McLaughlin)

2. “I Have Met My Love Today” ft. Brandi Carlile (by John Prine and Roger Cook)

3. “Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone)” (by John Prine and Pat McLaughlin)

4. “Summer’s End” (written by John Prine and Pat McLaughlin)

5. “Caravan of Fools” (by John Prine, Dan Auerbach, Pat McLaughlin and David Ferguson)

6. “The Lonesome Friends of Science” (by John Prine)

7. “No Ordinary Blue” (by John Prine and Keith Sykes)

8. “Boundless Love” (by John Prine, Dan Auerbach, Pat McLaughlin and David Ferguson)

9. “God Only Knows” (by John Prine and Phil Spector)

10. “When I Get to Heaven” (by John Prine)

May 17—St. Louis, MO—Stifel Theatre (with Amanda Shires)

May 18—Springfield, MO—Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (with Amanda Shires)

May 24—Appleton, WI—Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (with Todd Snider) (SOLD OUT)

May 25—Madison, WI—Overture Center for the Arts (with Todd Snider) (SOLD OUT)

May 31—Minneapolis, MN—Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium (SOLD OUT)

June 1—Duluth, MN—Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (with Todd Snider) (SOLD OUT)

June 8—Highland Park, IL—Ravinia (with Tyler Childers)

June 15—Manchester, TN—Bonnaroo

June 20—Syracuse, NY—Landmark Theatre (with Amanda Shires)

June 21—Buffalo, NY—Shea’s Performing Arts Center (with Amanda Shires)

June 23—Tappan, NY—Rockland-Bergen Music Festival

July 13—Center City, NY—Lu-Ray Park & Amphitheater (with Kelsey Waldon)

July 28—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre with the Colorado Symphony (with I’m With Her)

July 30—Salt Lake City, UT—Red Butte Gardens (with I’m With Her)

August 2—Portland, OR—Oregon Zoo (with Amanda Shires)

August 4—Seattle, WA—Woodland Park Zoo (with Amanda Shires)

August 6—Vancouver, BC—Queen Elizabeth Theatre (with Kathleen Edwards)

August 8—Banff, AB—Shaw Amphitheatre (with Kathleen Edwards)

August 9—Calgary, AB—Jack Singer Concert Hall (with Kathleen Edwards)

August 23—Gävle, Sweden—Gävle Konserthus (with Ian Noe)

August 25—Tonder, Denmark—Tonder Festival

August 27—Oslo, Norway—Oslo Konsurthus (with Ian Noe)

August 30—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Paradiso (SOLD OUT)

August 31—Deurne, Belgium—Openluchttheater Rivierenhof (with Steve Gunn)

September 2—Paris, France—Alhambra Theatre Music Hall (with Gaëtan Roussel)

September 4—Berlin, Germany—Columbiahalle (with Ian Noe)

September 6—London, U.K.—Royal Festival Hall (with Tanya McCole)

September 8—Edinburgh, U.K.—Edinburgh Festival Theatre (with Lloyd Reid)

September 9—Manchester, U.K.—Bridgewater Hall (with Tanya McCole)

September 27—Columbia, MO—Roots N Blues BBQ Festival

October 1—Hollywood, CA—John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

October 3—Oakland, CA—Fox Theater

October 30—Asheville, NC—Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (with Ben Dickey)

November 1—Durham, NC—Durham Performing Arts Center (with Ben Dickey)

November 2—Roanoke, VA—Berglund Center (with Ben Dickey)

November 11-15—Punta Cana, Dominican Republic—All The Best Fest (SOLD OUT)

December 6—Orlando, FL—Bob Carr Theater

December 7—Clearwater, FL—Ruth Eckerd Hall

December 31—Nashville, TN—Opry House (with Mart Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives & The Secret Sisters)