Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-06-18
Last week marked the first in a year-long series of celebrations honoring John Prine’s life, legacy, and upcoming 80th birthday this October, and it “made the case for Prine as America’s Poet Laureate,” writes Variety.
Presented as part of Wolf Trap’s America 250 series and benefiting the Prine Family’s Hello In There Foundation, Songwriters Celebrate John Prine featured Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Allison Russell, I’m With Her, Patty Griffin, Tommy Prine, and more performing Prine’s songs of empathy, careful observation, pathos, and droll humor.
“One’s flag decal won’t get one into heaven, as has been oft-noted over the last 55 years. But as it turned out, a ticket to Songwriters Celebrate John Prine could, and did, for three hours.”
Read the full recap and setlist HERE.
Following Wolf Trap, the Prine Family, Oh Boy Records, and The Hello In There Foundation are planning a wide range of events ahead of and around John Prine’s 80th birthday on October 10, 2026.
At the center of those celebrations will be Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine, taking place October 8 at The Chicago Theatre. The milestone tribute concert will unite a community of artists performing their favorite Prine songs, paying respect and reverence to an immortal body of work that has inspired, comforted, and connected generations.
The concert will also show exactly why John Prine remains one of America’s greatest songwriters—an artist who modeled a way of living and treating others that transcended the music.
Hosted by John C. Reilly, the evening will include 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 others to be announced.
All of the artists will be backed by John Prine’s longtime live band.
Proceeds will benefit The Hello In There Foundation’s ongoing grantmaking in John Prine’s memory, addressing issues including food insecurity, housing, mental health, immigrant and refugee justice, addiction recovery, and more.
Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine will serve as the centerpiece of a full weekend being organized in the same Chicago neighborhoods where Prine’s musical journey began. The weekend will reflect the generosity and gratitude that Prine forever upheld, along with the understanding that music, at its best, is an act of community.
More details surrounding the full weekend of events are expected to be announced.
