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In celebration of John Prine's upcoming 80th birthday this fall, the first-ever full-length live recording of John Prine is now available digitally via Oh Boy Records. Recorded directly to the mixing board on March 6th, 2010, John Prine: Live at Old Town School of Folk features 28 tracks captured during his headline performance at Old Town's annual "Blue Jean Gala" benefit concert and fundraiser in his home city of Chicago, IL. In addition to spirited renditions of classic Prine songs – "Spanish Pipedream," "Souvenirs," "Angel From Montgomery," "Crazy As A Loon," "Hello In There," "Christmas In Prison" and more – John Prine: Live at Old Town School of Folk also includes uncut versions of the many lengthy stories, jokes and intros that were hallmarks of his live performances for decades. The recording marks the first time that a Prine concert has been released in its entirety.
Listen to John Prine: Live at Old Town School of Folk via Oh Boy Records: HERE
"We always loved playing Chicago, for the obvious reason that it was John's home town. But playing at The Old Town School of Folk Music was even more special," says Jason Wilber, John Prine's longtime band leader. "Old Town School is where John first took guitar lessons. It's where he expanded his playing beyond those first few chords and records his older brother Dave got him started with. So for John, it seemed to me, going back to Old Town was like going back to your old elementary school or something. I could tell it held a special place in his heart, and the folks in the Old Town community always made it clear how much they treasured John. We played the theater there a few times over the years, and always had a lot of fun."
In addition to the release of John Prine: Live At Old Town School of Folk, the Prine Family, Oh Boy Records and The Hello In There Foundation recently announced Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine, a milestone tribute concert taking place at the Chicago Theatre on October 8th, two days before Prine's 80th birthday on October 10th. Commemorating his life and legacy alongside a community of artists playing their favorite Prine songs, the event will pay tribute to an immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted and connected generations. Hosted by John C. Reilly, with proceeds benefiting The Hello in There Foundation's ongoing grantmaking in John Prine's memory, the night will feature performances from Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff, Amos Lee, Andrew Sa, Briscoe, Jon Langford, Josh Ritter, Joy Oladokun, Kathleen Edwards, Margo Price, Noeline Hofmann, Ratboys, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Earle, The Cactus Blossoms, The Sullivan Sisters and more to be revealed, all backed by John Prine's longtime live band.
Born in Maywood, Illinois in 1946, John Prine wrote his earliest songs while working as a mail carrier in Chicago, composing lyrics in his head on long postal routes. It was Chicago's vibrant folk community that nurtured his artistry – coffeehouses, clubs, classes at Old Town School of Folk Music – and in 2020, he was named Honorary Poet Laureate of Illinois. Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine will serve as the centerpiece to a milestone weekend that the Prine Family's Hello in There Foundation is organizing alongside Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, Siskel Film Center, and other civic and nonprofit community partners, in the same neighborhoods where Prine's musical journey began.
Ahead of Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine, the Prine Family will host a virtual premiere of You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine this Friday, May 29th, 2026, the new star-studded concert film captured in October 2022 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Following its debut in select theatres across the country, the virtual screening will include a live chat with Fiona Prine and other members of the Prine family, and will be available on-demand through Sunday, May 31st. Find tickets and more information HERE.
Furthermore, fans can also experience John Prine's enduring influence at Songwriters Celebrate John Prine, a creative collaboration with Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Taking place June 9th, 2026 at Filene Center in Vienna, VA, and marking America's 250th Anniversary in the National Park for the Performing Arts, the lineup brings together friends and collaborators such as Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, I'm With Her, Lucius, Allison Russell, Hayes Carll, Jobi Riccio, Fancy Hagood and Tommy Prine.
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