Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer John Prine is nominated for two awards at the 2019 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards: Album of the Year (The Tree of Forgiveness) and Song of the Year (“Summer’s End”). The annual awards ceremony will take place on September 11 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
These nominations celebrate a landmark year for Prine following the release of his critically acclaimed new album, The Tree of Forgiveness (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 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.
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.”
Moreover, Prine recently debuted a new cover of “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight.” Listen/share HERE. In addition to the 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.
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.”
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.
THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS TRACK LIST
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)
