Singer-Songwriter John Prine Comes To The Toronto Stage 8/14 At Massey Hall

When Grammy Award winning troubadour John Prine hits the road, the darkest corners and smallest joys get illuminated by the light of his gravelly, utterly American voice, his way with the plainest of language, and the vintage Guild and Martin guitars he plays.

With a career that spans over 30 years, John Prine has become one of the most revered singer-songwriters in the music industry. His songs possess a special vision and unique quality - something that attracted Bonnie Raitt to adopt "Angel from Montgomery" as her own, Bette Midler to cover "Hello in There," and the numerous country artists such as Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash to release their versions of "Unwed Fathers."

His numerous recordings include his 1991 Grammy Award-winning release The Missing Years, which featured appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, and became one of his best selling albums; the 1986 Grammy-nominated album German Afternoons, the 1988 Grammy-nominated John Prine Live, and the 1999 Grammy-nominated In Spite Of Ourselves, an album comprised of classic country songs featuring duets with Lucinda Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, and Patty Loveless.

John Prine will be touring Eastern Canada along with lead guitarist Jason Wilber and bass player Dave Jacques. Prine will surely deliver an unforgettable show, which varies from a touch of Nashville tinged ruckus to thoughtful songs that will break your heart and mend it in the same breath.

www.johnprine.net | www.ohboy.com

Friday, August 14th - 8 p.m., at Massey Hall

178 Victoria Street, Toronto

Tickets $59.50, $49.50 (taxes included / service charges extra)

at the Roy Thomson Hall box office 416-872-4255, at Ticketmaster 416-870-8000,
at www.masseyhall.com, and at www.ticketmaster.ca
ON SALE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 20th AT 10 A.M.

Born in Maywood, IL on October 10, 1946, John Prine's body of work has become the high-water mark of American songwriting and his songs have found a home in the repertoire of musical luminaries such as Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash and George Strait.

On March 9, 2005, at the request of Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, John Prine became the first singer / songwriter to read and perform at the Library of Congress.

Prine takes his own sweet time dancing with his muse -- and truly writes what's in his soul. So if it takes him a little longer to compose the songs that capture the moments that reveal the gently folded human truths that bind us all together, it's always worth the wait.

There was a nine year gap between his Grammy-nominated Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings and his latest solo offering, appropriately titled, Fair & Square, but his unorthodox timing was rewarded with critical acclaim.

Along with rave reviews from Billboard Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, No Depression, Amazon.com and Blender, Fair & Square debuted at number seven on Billboard's Top 20 Internet Album Sales chart and recorded the fastest rise to number one in the history of Americana radio.

In 2006, Fair & Square won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album. "It was just time," said Prine in his always understated way, just after the release of Fair and Square. "I had a bunch of songs. I'd started recording them, and it turns out, I iked them pretty well. So, now, I get to get them all just the way I like them - and then I get to let them go out to meet the world."

Prine's latest record, Standard Songs for Average People, contains duet renditions of classic American songs with Bluegrass icon Mac "The Voice with a Heart" Wiseman. While this album is a slight departure from Prine's renowned singer-songwriter approach, it promises to appeal to those seeking a trip back to when wholesome, well-crafted music mirrored simpler times.

With tracks like "Old Cape Cod," "Pistol Packin' Mama" or "Blue Eyed Elaine," the charm and character of Standard Songs softly reinvigorates the soul and gently reminds the listener life should be enjoyed - not rushed.

 

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