John Prine Interview about Creativity with inCommon & Mike Leonard

What ignites sparks of inspiration? InCommon looks into the creative process and offers a rare and intimate interview with John Prine - considered one of America's best singer-songwriters.
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[@judybeckert-jones2248]

And if you ever see John in concert, he is always dressed nicely & seems so respectful & happy to perform for his audience. The most professional artist I have seen perform.

[@randysollars5350]

What a gift Mr Prine has given the world. I hope he knows how much he has touched our lives. He must have his own space set aside in Heaven.

[@sylviamoore4146]

Beyond sad about losing John Prine. Also frustrated about losing him to Coronavirus complications. (Knowing he overcame cancer 2 times) I'm thankful for his many talents. RIP John I'm blessed because I was moved by your music and song. Thank you.

[@candacewilliams9073]

I had never heard of John Prine until I saw him on Austin City Limits, and I instantly liked his poetry and music. That was just a few months ago. I don't know how I missed him all these years. He was great, and now I listen to him everyday.

[@gregjohnson1079]

God bless you John Prine. Prayers for him, his children and wife. I always felt he deserved the Presidential medal of Freedom. RIP John and thanks so much for your gift of lyrics and music.

[@gandalfshakur8235]

As someone with lifelong PTSD, John's music comforts me when no one else heeds my call for help.

[@johnsmyth462]

Fabulous interview. Thanks for sticking to your chores, John.

[@peterhodgkins6985]

John Prine could address an envelope and have it come out as a song lyric. Just pure magic. RIP John. I feel like I've known you all my life, and now you're gone.

[@piercebales9546]

Truly a one in a million talent. He will be sorely missed.

[@dr.reidsheftalltruthinscie2007]

Far more rare than that Pierce. There are not 300 John Prines in the US. Only one. But I know what you mean, and I agree.

[@andyfredericks6205]

Imagine how good this world would be if everyone listened to John Prine.

[@eddisc4205]

...about as much of a chance of that as people Loving each other... sad

[@mikegreen2417]

That just made me cry.

[@joekavanagh8997]

You said a lot there in one simple sentence.Profound ,I would say.

[@marvf78]

Exactly correct.

[@jasper_north]

I just love his music...normal voice and two travispicking “fingers” but to me the best artist ever. What a feeling he puts into it.

[@charlesalbrecht462]

There will never be another like him in our lifetimes. Been listening to him since 1972. He explained what I couldn’t say, I just didn’t have the words. Bless his heart.

[@brianmillen499]

I absolutely love this man. He has been in my life now for over 40 years. He makes me laugh, he makes me cry and I am so fortunate to have had this mans music running through my life.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

John Prine and Jimmy Buffett wrote the sound track for my life. And of the two, John Prine has endured best, over the bumps, crashes, and victories of life.

[@sethie_shots]

Get well soon John! We love you. I’m singing Hello In There right now

[@hblair37]

Rest In Peace John Prine. Unique man.

[@firefox2716]

John,s pure honesty & sense of humor with his special gift of turning words into enjoyable music is why people love him so much today ! Thank you John Prine

[@Discotex100]

John has always meant a lot to me. Been listening to his music for longer than I can remember. Seen him 3 times. I would like to shake his hand someday.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

The interviewer keeps trying to make John a dramatic figure, but John keeps slipping in humor, and humor is the very core of John Prine, right along with understanding and liking people.

[@onepunchgeorge9251]

Well put.😎🎶

[@markmunson3389]

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t discover John Prine until a year ago. I’m 66 now. He would have been my guru, had I known about him! What an incredible artist, and human being!!!

[@fingerlakeshiker]

i am the same age as you. I discovered him when i heard a song on the radio that i really liked, the DJ said that was John Prine and he had just passed.I feel bad that i had missed out on his music all theese years.

[@philipopruesse4259]

I am 67 and just discovered him through KZbin. He is the best ever ever ever. God bless those algorithms. I am just happy to have discovered him before I passed out of this life.

[@4orrcountry]

@@fingerlakeshiker True, however, there's so much more Prine music to be heard, I'm almost envious of you.

[@guyjolley5569]

I first heard Mr. Prine when I was a late-aged teen. It's been a wonderful lifelong friend ❤️

[@paulmcdonough1190]

Some people are just special, can’t explain why, and he is, so humble, so relatable, his words just touch your soul. Never met him, don’t know him from Adam, but will always get great comfort from his music ❤️

[@wendyw4487]

he's the real deal......a quality not found in the music world any more.....will love him forever......make he rest in peace.

[@dkompres6889]

Paul McDonough well put and said.

[@joekavanagh8997]

Yes Mr. McDonough, you have said what I wanted to say about this man. I just read that his family are having a memorial concert for him over in Galway.Paul Brady ,Mary Black ,Sharon Shannon among others will be featured.Its on Oct 4th. As long as there are people in the world that appreciate the likes of John Prine ,then there is some hope for this world that has gone insane. 🇮🇪☮️🇺🇸

[@joekavanagh8997]

@@wendyw4487 Yes ,you are so right.It would be great if the only people that were allowed to vote were all John Prine fans! What a great world we'd have! ☮️

[@patrickmagee2364]

So glad i saw this beautiful person twice in concert. R.I.P. John Prine.

[@anitamatysik6731]

I love ❤️ his music and feelings he has for his love of life

[@dakklub]

Just saw John Prine in SF,,, this the 3rd time, He was in great voice and lively and having the time ever. Tree of Forgiveness is a amazing record,,,,

[@ip4157]

John Prine thank you so much, you saved my life many times through the years

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

Pure Honesty John, Blessed to hear you.

[@roxannetoth5026]

To John's family, may God hold and comfort you in you loss. As for John, he gets to rest now , no more suffering, and have eternal peace. He gave us a body of work, of himself, an astute obsevation of chaos of the human condition. He teaches me how to deal w/illness, and in his honor, I rise up off that couch today, and give it another try. God blessed him, and he'll never be forgotten. Love and blessings to all

[@jacobfranklin4673]

Hope he found that 9 mile cigarette.

[@janicebieber4722]

GOD BLESS YOU 🙏

[@janicebieber4722]

@@jacobfranklin4673 u mean that disfigured his face and neck. Take heed, it may b his biggest message to us all. We all love his song, but it was written a long time b4. Know from where I speak. Widow of a chain smoker 54years old. U may be mad at me but John's not

[@nickjankowsky8202]

I feel sorry for music lovers who have never heard John Prine. They are missing a piece of the music puzzle that only John can fill.

[@charlesalbrecht462]

Nick Jankowsky He’s the best that has ever been. Been listening to his music since 1972. For me, he explained things I was feeling in my heart that I couldn’t talk about openly. I’m glad he’s still with us. Bless his heart.

[@DavidGriffin-ww2fk]

Amen

[@nightmoves7989]

Nobody can write like John, he paints a perfect picture of a time and place like no other. For the longest time in the 80s and 90s I would be blown away by people that had never heard of JP, he was like a cool secret, in the last few years he has received the admiration and respect that he has deserved his entire career. He was for a long time admired by the giants of the music industry and now he's admired by everyone and all I can say is "where the hell have you people been, it's about time"

[@bobbyearl60]

I'm one of those people who knows his name but not his music. Sadly, has taken his death for me to wake up to this humble songster.

[@chrisozgalah9748]

Started listening to him in 1972 in Australia. Loved his music and his sense of humor. Favorites, “Your flag decal can’’t get you into heaven anymore.” Plus There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes.” And “Dear Abby”

[@janettedean4713]

John Prine was an inimitable original & his wry words will continue to humor & comfort many in their lives because he is a human legacy! So sorry he has passed despite our wishes for his recovery. Rest in musical Power, John! ✨🕯️🎸🎶

[@johnoboyce3422]

Have been a fan of John's since I first heard him in the mid seventies after I left my home in Fanad Co Donegal to cross the Irish Sea & I feel the same today in my home in Wrecsam Cymru where I spent last while since hearing John was very ill backing up his great Legacy of Song & music* also sort of proud when I heard recently that John's Wife was like myself born & brought up in Donegal* When you get to the home of the Nazarene John * the Angel's will love your Music like us down here*****

[@veronicaipock9649]

AMEN !

[@debbiemcwilliams2789]

His voice only got better with those years of living.... thanks Mr Prine for the tunes

[@NetCerpher]

I love this guy and his music. Rest in peace my friend

[@barrywhetstine6932]

The kindness and respect admirers show John Prine is heart-warming. Watching this video covering almost fifty years of his life brings me to the edge of tears. John Prine owns a special place in my heart. I cannot get enough of the stories behind the songs and the simple observations that created the beginnings of another classic tune.

[@skyhighproductions24]

Farewell Mr. Prine. You will live on with your music. Thank you for that.

[@judybeckert-jones2248]

Mike Leonard is a great interviewer. And I love John Prine. Listen to him often.

[@CHoggsVideos]

Love John. !! An American Icon !

[@robertrichter6778]

He was my good friend he was with me from the day i met him he was with me through the good times and he was with me through the worst times of my life. He comforted me through many many troubled times. He helped me find joy in life again How lucky we are to have lived while he walked the earth.

[@its1110]

Here is John talking about his songs... Here are people talking about John... Here is John talking about his music and the better parts of the music business... ... here is me... crying for loss and crying for joy.

[@terriwise2837]

I love listening to his music -- and I love to listening to songs he sang as a young man, and then the same song sung as he aged. His voice was perfect for each song at all stages, and brought out something different and enlightening as he went along. HE didn't try to to recreate what he had done previously; he just allowed life to come through in each new presentation. Amazing talent.

[@briandickerson7542]

I've loved John prines music when I first heard it in 1991 while working in New Zealand. Outstanding all the way around.

[@johnniejohnson6048]

I hope he gets to know how happy we all are -- he survived this .

[@ironbarkpl]

This story made a tear fall!

[@allanmackinnon7674]

Just one year ago I was introduced to John Prine. It was an exciting find. I listened and listened, paid attention and realized I’d found a brilliance in an entertainer. I’ve never felt the way I did about any entertainer when I heard we lost John Prine. So saddened by the loss. Thank you John. You’ve touched me deeply.

[@annecowley7043]

John Prine gets into my heart! I adore him and his music. Thank you John!

[@rodneycaupp5962]

Great interviews should be like this one. It tells the entire story...(up till now) Thank you John for "The Tree of Forgiveness.

[@dennisgriffin4054]

I heard Sam Stone not to long after I got home from Nam, RIP John

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

John Prine, one of my legends, every time I sing "Hello in there", Thank you John. You are a true inspiration to every singer and musician in the world.

[@jeffkerr4249]

Love Me Some Prine!

[@DanDDirges]

Really enjoyed this interview!

[@billmackay3171]

Great show. Thank you. John Prine is the real deal.

[@RandallBrownStuff]

Excellent chat with John Prine!!!

[@lillygardens1]

Amazing man. Amazing story teller. A Wonderful gift to us all. Thank you. Rest in Peace. 🙏❤️🌷

[@Mark8395217]

John is the most extrodarnarly ordinary person I've ever met.

[@chrisyeomans5547]

Mark8395217 you hit the nail on the head

[@jkb1O5]

Mark8395217 : with amazement & in-Spirit; id say I'd have to Agree.. when He & Iris(DeMent) - duet // its like some | southern-folk Magic

[@chetgrat]

Thanks John !

[@brianbelton3605]

I just learned/ found John Price. But it seems I have known his music my whole life. so good to find.. . . . . And Im old

[@junkieapathy]

Absolutely wonderful!!!

[@hootenanny58]

I love John's new record so much ... and recently found cause to rekindle my devotion to Kate and Anna McGarrigle. And I thought: it was lucky days when I caught the first lines of songs I'd heard from either. Lines that made me stop and listen intently hopefully for what came next. And I listened to what came next. And next and next and next. Lines that have never let me down. Lines that aged beautifully alongside of me - even when I didn't. Lines that brought me comfort when I needed it, for the better part of 40+ years. God bless them all, these blessed souls, and every last word they committed to song. Encore !!!

[@Rokkrr]

A true American treasure.

[@gunsquawk4443]

John Prine was the greatest.

[@juliemoss2758]

1972 through 2019...wow!

[@uinseann10]

Congrats Mike Leonard on a great interview into John P's working methods. Never get tired of playing his songs. A genius. What insight and empathy he has. A cartographer of the human condition. Had lyric from Bruised Orange/Chain of Sorrow: "You can gaze out the window get mad and get madder, throw your hands in the air, say "What does it matter?" but it don't do no good to get angry, so help me I know For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter. You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there wrapped up in a trap of your very own chain of sorrow" done by caligraphist, if that be the word, and friend brought it back stage to him at Cork Opera House, Feb 2013 and he signed it. One of my most prized possessions, only have 3/4.

[@paulcottrell8464]

One of the very best ever.

[@IrishBadBrad]

Youngest guy to love all John Prine music

[@nickw9931]

i doubt er bud

[@DebKimmett]

Been with me for 40 years. I so love his work. All iterations. All songs ( But I really love In Spite of Ourselves with Iris Dement)

[@todmarsden2740]

I love John and all he has created and stood for.

[@Sentiisen-butwhichone]

His voice is just so comforting 💓

[@danielswierczynski2001]

This is an excellent interview and biopic video. Very well done, thank you. I needed this right now.

[@christinestill5002]

I had that first album. And "Sweet Revenge", the 2nd, etc etc. I was 26 first time I saw him in person. 3 chords & applause. We 're both old now.

[@bryanprindle]

I like his singing and voice better now than the recordings of his singing 20 years ago, much better. Really an interesting interview. At least in this day and age his music and life will live on in KZbin. I've often thought what a loss it was that all the ancient great musicians never had their work recorded. Can you imagine what it would be like to have an interview with Bach and to listen to one of his musical works?

[@kcrot2566]

I love this man💕

[@starkops]

Great advice, about "leaving room" in our writings, for the listeners.. Really resonates with me, currently ;)

[@spheriscope]

You make me laugh with tears in my eyes John Prine.:^)

[@budsforyou5908]

God bless him.

[@donquinton1607]

John has been my favorite songwriter since I bought his first album over 40 years ago. Some things never change. Some things always change. If nothing changes, nothing changes. What a great interview, video, history lesson, and Common Sense.

[@sandrajohnson8290]

Here's proof that a Simple Man is a smart man the songs that he wrote have a lot of heart and humble lessons to teach young people for many years to come his music will always live on and there's something always good that can come out his music will always live on and on long after each generation is gone loving John

[@meganayers1212]

My father introduced me to John Prine as a small kid, growing up in Nebraska. I remember Mom and Dad playing In Spite of Ourselves almost every day on the smoke stained jukebox downtown. That was their song they'd say. Now that I'm a little older and my father's gone, I've been trying to hold on to my father's memory. Listening to John is often the best way to do that. I could go on. So thank you. Your music, every time, gives me that feeling I look for in many places.

[@megglass135]

His voice will be so missed...

[@martykramer5927]

John's songs have brought me a great deal of moral comfort my whole life through. My sister had a beer party back in about 1977. An ol' hippie accidentally left John's first album on the turntable of my parents 1966 Zenith console. John has been a blessing in my life. I would not be a songwriter without him.

[@danp3me]

Thank you John for being a part of my story!

[@babsmusic]

48 years ago, when I was 14, I sang Spanish Pipedream at a coffee house in Toronto. Still sing it.

[@Sticks-of-TNT-tf1tn]

I’m a huge John Prine fan. You would have liked the guy too if you knew him. Rest In peace, John. You and your music made the world a better place. 🧨 P.S. John was a survivor of two cancers and a heart surgery and a boatload of health issues* but kept touring and performing almost until the end for his legion of fans worldwide despite VERY few big “radio play” hits in his five decade career. He actually saw a huge surge of young fans in the past decade and is named as an inspiration and influence by MANY young artists. He even released two albums in recent years of new material, most of which he wrote himself. That doesn’t happen much unless you’re Bob Dylan, who incidentally is a fan. John Prine NEVER sold out and never had to because he made the smart move of starting his own record company early in his career. When vinyl albums went to 8-track, cassette, CDs, digital and video, it went to John, and his wife Fiona is his manager. I attended a concert at Butler University in Indianapolis a couple years ago. He performed in a large auditorium to a packed house of all ages, from college kids to Vietnam vets (like me). The concert was phenomenal and his band’s performance was as great as John’s. I wish you could have seen and heard it‼️ *P.P.S. John (supposedly) had Covid-19 but who really knows? Okay, but dying WITH Covid is not the same as dying FROM Covid. I mentioned John’s health above. He was 73-years of age, potentially diabetic-fairly heavy, but not morbidly obese-likely used a CPAP when he slept and was a heavy smoker most of his life. Not exactly an optimistic profile even for seasonal flu. Right now anyone like him probably gets classified as Covid, regardless. Someone has to justify this enormous amount of worldwide attention, expense, and crashing the economy. Not a bad time to exit the stage. Doesn’t look like there are going to be any concert encores anytime soon. 🧨 - - - - - - - - - END - - - - - - - - - “Paradise” by John Prine (final verse + chorus) When I die let my ashes float down the Green River Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin' Just five miles away from wherever I am And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away - - - - - - - - - END - - - - - - - - -

[@robertmohilowski3717]

RIP John... You are a true American Masterpiece!

[@sizzlechooch]

Far From Me is my favorite also. Always has been. I must enjoy being brought to tears. lol

[@exthomes]

Thank God I found you John. Awesome

[@scottstores6801]

Thank you JP! Love and Peace!

[@keithallen2791]

Our loss is great but our God is greater, we will make it though it will be hard. I lost one of my very best friends, you did too

[@larrydavis185]

I am so glad I got to see this. I enjoyed his work since I returned from overseas in the early 70s.

[@tostentwo]

There isn't much bad that you can go through where listening to a Prine song won't hand it back to you farther down the road where you are looking at it all from a place that lets you see it all as amusing.

[@Hands2HealNow]

Tom Opdahl So well said and true. Thank you.

[@dsantamaria713]

❤❤❤❤ Prine...RIP

[@christinestill5002]

"Donald & Lydia " was always a favorite of mine. Hello in There is even better now that I'm old. Prine used to play a modest theater 3 blocks from my place. Sorry now that I only saw him there twice. And many times elsewhere. Since 1974!

[@jeffreyrennert2067]

I went fishing with a waitress for a weekend and when I got back everyone in town knew about it!! I'm truly blessed to have heard his songs!!!

[@markbrownner6565]

my foot fell asleep as I swallowed my candy knowing he was in heaven before he died....

[@russkendrickmartin7257]

So much to learn from this man. I first saw John Prine on TV when I was a kid. That's when I knew I wanted to be a songwriter. He's still going. I hope I'm as strong as he is when the time comes that I need to be.

[@jamalmcgrath810]

It's no mistake, it's the best guitar picking across the planet. It's made for the public easy ear for easy listen. The picking sticks to everyone's thoughts with easy lyrics for easy understanding of criticle subjects. I am never tired of anything he does,not to mention his voice , that ain't no mistake through and through , he puts me at ease when I herel any of his music,no matter what it is !! I loved you John since you put out your first album. I still have it and play it when I feel sad or lonely. Rest in peace ,I'll miss you forever !

[@maggsterful]

Love him!

[@antiatheism9063]

When I die, I hope John Prine my Grandpa and Jesus are waiting for me on the other side.

[@mike-ue4wy]

"Rather go out for a hot dog, than write a song I didn't like"......"Broke into Hank Williams' casket"... everything he says could be a song.

[@dylandream2248]

Love Prine !!!! and blessed to see him llve four times!!

[@joekoelbl784]

Come to Albany, NY July 18. Palace Theatre. See You there.

[@artwdog]

I've seen him 9 times and he never sang Blue Umbrella. Not sure why.

[@DannyLeeAndersonMusic]

Just posted to my fb, ain't it funny how an old broken bottle, looks just like a diamond ring. Great interview.

[@paulmcdonald1258]

Excellent

[@shaunmacdonald2859]

The Man .