Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-10-09
Photo by Will Byington
Tomorrow, October 10th, 2026, marks what would have been John Prine's 80th birthday, and last night, a community of thousands came together at a sold-out Chicago Theatre to honor the immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted and connected generations.
As the centerpiece to a five-day series of celebrations taking place in Prine's native Chicago from October 7th-11th – organized by the Prine family, their Hello in There Foundation and Oh Boy Records – yesterday's Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine tribute concert showed that if John Prine were still with us in 2026, he would be doing exactly what he did throughout a five-decade career: giving freely of his time, wisdom, humor, advice and kindness.
Hosted by John C. Reilly, dozens of artists, friends and musical family members shared cherished memories and unforgettable moments, performing their favorite Prine songs alongside his longtime live band. See the full setlist below, featuring Hurray for the Riff Raff's Alynda Segarra, Andrew Sa, Jordan Davis, Kathleen Edwards, The Cactus Blossoms, Ratboys, Hayes Carll, Shemekia Copeland, Valerie June, Steve Earle, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff and many more, culminating in a full group rendition of the classic "Paradise."
Last night's surprises also included a performance of "Summer's End" by Jeff Tweedy, as well as a special appearance from the mayor of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson, who took to the stage to hereby proclaim October 10th, 2026 as John Prine Day in Chicago, encouraging all residents to honor Prine's enduring influence on music, culture and future generations.
"John was Chicago...and like so many great Chicagoans he drew inspiration from the people, the neighborhoods, the vibrant communities that make our city special," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We are carrying out the legacy of our dear brother...so let's continue to celebrate and honor his influence."
All proceeds from Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine benefit The Hello in There Foundation's ongoing grantmaking in John Prine's memory, which – since its creation by the Prine family in 2021 – has provided nearly $1.5 million in community grants to more than 100 organizations addressing issues like food insecurity, housing, mental health, immigrant and refugee justice, addiction recovery and more.
Today, Oh Boy Records – which celebrates its 45th Anniversary in 2026 – has also released Found Dogs, a newly curated John Prine archival release celebrating the 30th anniversary of Prine's 1995 LP, Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings.
Assembled from the original recording sessions and demos from the era, Found Dogs collects alternate takes, acoustic solo performances and five previously unreleased Prine originals, offering listeners an intimate look at his songwriting and studio process during a pivotal time era of his career.
Listen to Found Dogs, and hear "My God Thank You John."
Revered as one of our greatest American songwriters, John Prine modeled a way of living and treating others that transcended the music, showing up for people with thoughtfulness, joyful loyalty and an open hand, with the same warmth, humanity and authenticity that made his songs so beloved.
Those who knew him best would add that above all, he was someone who built community wherever he went, and throughout this week and coming weekend, those guiding principles are being reflected across the city where his musical journey began.
Kicking off this past Wednesday, Chicago's Souvenirs week has brought conversations, performances, film screenings and community collaborations to historic locations central to John Prine's story, continuing tomorrow, October 10th, with a daylong birthday celebration and mural dedication at Old Town School of Folk Music, followed by a celebration, supply drive and letter writing campaign in Prine's birthplace of Maywood, Illinois on Sunday, October 11th.
More details on the remaining events are available at johnprine.com/events. [John Prine](https://www.johnprine.com/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Born in Maywood 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, and in 2020, he was named Honorary Poet Laureate of Illinois, encapsulating his belief that every life is worth singing about, and the understanding that music, at its best, is an act of community.
