Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - "Paradise" (John Prine Tribute Performance)

A beautiful tribute to John that premiered October 3rd on, "Let The Music Play On": A Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Broadcast, featuring many of our friends.
John's full sets from 2014 and 2017 are available to watch on www.hardlystri... .
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Paradise (Lyrics):
"When I was a child my family would travel
Down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born
And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered
So many times that my memories are worn.
[Chorus:]
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
Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River
To the abandoned old prison down by Airdrie Hill
Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols
But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.
[Chorus]
Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.
[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."
[Chorus]
Singer. Songwriter. Poet. Icon.
John Prine was an artist’s artist with a list of admirers and collaborators that cut across musical genres and generations - names like Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Brandi Carlile, George Strait, Kurt Vile, Miranda Lambert, The Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, among others.
Though he was born in Maywood, Illinois, in 1946, John declared himself “pure Kentuckian” throughout his life. His parents, Willian and Verna, were natives of Paradise, Kentucky. The family would spend summers there in Muhlenberg County, where John listened to bluegrass music and studied the guitar styles of country music heroes Doc Watson and Merle Travis with his older brother, Dave.
In Maywood, he worked as a postman before being drafted into the army in 1966. It was as a postman that John began to write the songs that would connect with so many. He sang at Chicago folk clubs, where he was introduced to singer-songwriter Kris Kristopherson, who invited John to open for him in New York. It was there that Jerry Wexler, president of Atlantic Records, first heard Prine and offered him a recording contract. His self-titled debut album was released in 1971 and featured a list of songs now regarded as classics, including “Paradise,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Illegal Smile,” Hello in There,” and “Sam Stone.” Prine received the first of his 13 Grammy nominations in 1972 for Best New Artist. He would record three more albums for Atlantic and another three with Asylum.
His profound impact on American music was amplified in 1981 when John co-founded Oh Boy Records, and independent label where he released most of his subsequent work and which gave voice and respect to so many fellow singers and songwriters.
In his distinguished career, John won four Grammys and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). He was a three-time recipient of the Artist of the Year Award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, which also honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. He won the Pen/New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award (2016) and was enshrined in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019). In addition, John was named Honorary Poet Laureate of Illinois (2020).
John Prine passed away on April 7, 2020 due to complications from Covid-19. The outpouring of grief and love from his fan community was staggering. Over 500,000 viewers participated in an online memorial and tribute that raised more than half a million dollars for Covid-related community causes. In 2021, the Prine family created the Hello In There Foundation to honor John’s spirit of generosity towards those in need. Fiona Prine and her sons continue to operate and expand the reach of John’s independent record label, Oh Boy Records.
#johnprine #bluegrass #paradise

[@burkevinell]

The mixing on this was true beauty. I always think of John when I hear this song. I wish I could havs sung it with him.

[@thumperthompson1602]

This and Angel from Montgomery was the first songs I heard from John Prine, sitting on a river bank fishing with my dad. I was only about 10. Five years later I bought my first cd, with my birthday money. I'm 44 now, and literally sat down and cried on the day he passed away. John Prine music makes us all better humans!!

[@laratosh6977]

I mourned John like I mourned my dad passing. His music makes us all better people "in spite of ourselves." 💕

[@pelotasdad]

yeppers. me too on the crying. it was a sad day.

[@kennethjohnson3895]

Precious moment's and memories.

[@blueoctgal]

John Prine passing is the guts of 2020, damn sad.

[@pelotasdad]

@@blueoctgal agreed. it just wrecks me that the covid that killed prine has already morphed and is not the virus that the apricot satan survived. don’t know if is stronger or if the things the medical world has learned this year have allowed for better treatment, like getting stem cells to strengthen the immune system like mr mendacity received. wish john had been able to benefit from that same treatment. this world needs him now. at least yusuf/cat stevens is still around....

[@WhiteRussian82td]

Hell I cried when I found out John Prine had died & I hadnt heard of him until 2 months ago. My 5 month old Nephew loves J.P.'s music.

[@tanyawarnakulasuriya8608]

I had never heard of John Prine ( pardon my ignorance) but this song so beautifully sung by such a diversity of musical talent ( colours, ages, voices, instruments - God I love music!) it brought me to tears - not sure why - think it just spoke to my heart. I will certainly be listening to more John Prine. I thank the music for finding me and thank John Pine for leaving such a beautiful legacy for us.

[@TooLooze]

The music found you, but you welcomed it....

[@jmack619]

welcome, child.

[@bobporter4635]

Welcome Tanya. John was a cool man.

[@jmack619]

you gotta check out, hello in there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJfaeJ6moaeSqbs

[@ronjones4069]

I was also a late comer to John Prine, was in his circle only a few months before he died and the day he died I cried like a baby. He has that kind of effect on people. I am still tearing up writing this.

[@kerryevans1562]

Much loved and missed Here in Dublin Ireland... Tremendous tribute to an exceptional singer-songwriter... He in a trio now Townes Guy and John Playing at the forgiveness tree... Ar dheis Dè go raibh a anam dìlis... May his noble soul rest in peace...

[@jimbanda]

Don't forget John's great friend , the legendary Clontarf Cowboy.... Philip Donnelly , and he played with all three, I call a quartet ❤️🙏

[@cubfanmike]

There, in among all the other tragedies of the year 2020, are the tears saying, I miss you John.

[@laratosh6977]

Amen to that!

[@FredWaltman]

I'm lucky that I've not lost anyone close to me from COVID. So when John Prine passed it hit me hard. That is when I knew in my heart it was real.

[@lindahuff8976]

I'm in Tennessee. One of my best ffriends was dying at the same time. My husband wasn't sure how to tell me about either death. The friend I never met personally.

[@jasonzacharias2150]

They gassed him down with the virus... He got no recognition from the grand old Oprarey but that means a about jack and shit now

[@stevefrost2196]

Pretty much one of the greatest covers of a John Prine song by so many wonderful artists. Anyone who turned a thumbs down on this: please explain yourself...

[@graxav]

I first heard this in around September 73 - my mate Philip had a 4 track tape in his 1300 Ford Escort panel van - It could hardly do 50 and we didn't even care too stoned on John Prine to bother. Drove a good 120 miles that day - now I just can't help the tears when I hear this song - even if I sing it myself.

[@agnome1176]

I can't hear a J Prine song without getting choked up I will always shed a tear...for John P & the world we had Always praise the blessed spark for the privilege to have been alive at the same point & to have had so many live music experiences 45 years ded-icated to going to , live shows now seems to have been the very best way to have spent a youth . . .

[@StoyTheOld]

My ancestors for as far back as I can trace them , are from this region of Kentucky . My last year of high school was at Muhlenberg Central . My mom grew up in the little coal mining towns and my uncle took me fishing on the Green River when I was a child . This song has been and will remain one that touches me in many ways .

[@pennybenton5607]

Born and raised, still reside in Kentucky. My mother grew up in eastern KY. I've visited Muhlenberg County many times. There is a peace along green river unlike any place I've been. God bless Kentucky and ole John Prine

[@kennethjohnson3895]

Your story is one of the very best childhood memories and one to be cherished. Beautiful.

[@duanehall4311]

Stoy wilson...you just gave me a road trip idea....I am gonna have to go fish on the bank side of the old green river this spring...not to far from sparta tennessee here....

[@drjohnson920]

@@pennybenton5607 I grew up in Alabama and Texas and thought I was true southern/ country but I know now that part of Kentucky is on another level to point it’s like it’s from another time

[@jasonzacharias2150]

God help us all

[@lindamon5101]

BONNIE RAITT LOVE YOU LADY!!!

[@StephenWasmund]

So very moving. Thank you John and all the artists who make us think and let us escape. There are lists below, I'm sure, but I tried to recreate and edit: 0:00 Birds of Chicago 0:09 Rayna Gellert / Kieran Kane 0:26 Birds of Chicago 0:53 Robert Earl Keen w/ 1:02 Patty Griffin 1:12 Los Coast (Trey Privott singing and John Courtney) 1:29 Marco and the Polos 1:36 Rayna Gellert / Kieran Kane 1:42 Birds of Chicago 1:46 Patty Griffin 1:49 Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz (of Bo and Lebo) 2:00 Laurie Lewis / Nina Gerber 2:10 Rhiannon Giddens 2:18 Carrie Rodriguez 2:31 Marco and the Polos 2:36 Shakey Graves 2:41 Bo Carper (of Bo and Lebo) 2:44 Bonnie Raitt 2:50 Patty Griffin 2:54 Laurie Lewis / Nina Gerber 2:58 Bonnie Raitt 3:03 Bo and Lebo 3:09 Shakey Graves 3:15 Trey Privott (of Los Coast) 3:20 Laurie Lewis / Nina Gerber 3:30 Birds of Chicago

[@sylvainswift3234]

Thank you Stephen!

[@wirenutt57]

This comment needs to get thumbs upped to the top!

[@mario7frankielee]

thank you so much for the great work🙏 timestamps etc.

[@Jestak]

Thanks for this!

[@clintsinger6893]

Thank You very much.

[@Lukjolo]

probably my favorite songwriter of all time. been listening to his music since i was 4 or 5 years old. my dad and his friends used to sit around a campfire with a six string a twelve string and a mandolin and play John Prine songs...and Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian was my favorite song from age 7 til about age 12...lol Rest in Power John!

[@vidyaruchi4810]

I was raised on Prine too. His song 'Sleepy Eyed Boy' is my first memory of being moved to tears by music. More than 30 years later and I still think he's great.

[@pdxyyz]

A timeless song. No matter who or when it is recorded it always sounds like it is 1930's Appalachia. A testament to Mr. Prine.

[@kennethjohnson3895]

There's a hole in daddy's arm....friends long passed. John sang the eulogies for many.

[@commissar5851]

Come back here a year later as this song is still on my mind. Beautiful. Relatable even in my small town in England, "the progress of man" destroying natural beauty seems to be a universal human truth. The fields I used to play in are now concrete and houses.

[@claycountybrian5645]

Gets me EVERY time Thank you ALL !!! 39 thumbs up!

[@xdanbo1859]

This song will always make me tear up. John Prine's passing was truly one of the saddest days of my life. It was like losing a close family member. He really touched me. - RIP, I hope you are smoking your 9 mile long cigs and sipping your cocktails.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Yup, sipping a "handsome Johnny"- vodka & ginger ale.

[@xdanbo1859]

@@jacquesblaque7728 Thank you for this, did not know that was the drink's name. What a great name because John was one handsome man with a beautiful soul.

[@Carousel3762]

Both Johns are gone looking down on this fantastic performance

[@complamin]

At of the moment the most adoring interpretation of a piece John Prine's work.

[@OverlandOne]

I live in Western Kentucky and we all miss John. RIP.

[@Tanagra180]

That's wonderful to hear! My family in Eastern KY will spit on the ground if we mention JP because of this song.

[@feartheturtle9618]

One of the best songs ever written. RIP John Prine.

[@leashesoff2288]

Sometime last November, I woke up in the middle of the night humming this tune and realized it was the best song ever

[@marvf78]

@@leashesoff2288 You just might be right about that. When you realize JP wrote the song to his Dad. He said his dad would know he was a songwriter then. From a song to his Dad to a song Played around just about every campfire.

[@JohnCran]

Along with Sam Stone and When I Get To Heaven. I always loved how a man who didn't believe in heaven or hell had such an obsession with heaven. Vale Handsome John

[@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS]

@@marvf78 I'd been to a few campfires when I was younger where relative strangers were thrown together, and it was John Prine songs that people knew by heart.

[@jasonzacharias2150]

They got him, they got em, God damn them

[@billmiller9448]

My song of the day. America as it should be. Change the world one song at a time

[@marlyswilliams9949]

Bill, my sentiments exactly as I viewed this. If John Prine music works for this diverse group, why don’t we make it work everywhere in this society?

[@kathypiazza7228]

Should be an official “Green practices” save our earth song. We maybe have not personally witnessed beauty destroyed for profit but we all feel it, we know what not to do-we need to convince Big Industry & Politicians to put people before profits!!

[@kirstenspencer3630]

Thank you all for this tribute to our friend John. Bless you all.

[@marythomas604]

I live in Louisiana now but my soul will always be in those Appalachian mountains...always and forever AMEN

[@davidparnell1893]

Omg...what a wonderful collaborative tribute to John Prine...thank you ALL !! Loved it deeply.

[@julesotis13]

first listen i hadda walk away and heard THAT voice and said that can be but only dame rhiannon giddens....good show alll!!!!

[@geoffmcharg5969]

Just wonderful. These are truly talented musicians. They should do more of John's songs. I first heard Paradise on John Denver's Rocky Mountain High album. It was my favorite and still is. We sure you miss you John.

[@its1110]

Gone... but never to be forgotten.

[@terryeichler351]

"Paradise" (John Prine Tribute Performance) So many people singing and playing this song is to me, what it takes to make it blossom like nothing else. It makes my heart swell because this song talks about what we all share in common. The love of our land.

[@frederickvanpelt6393]

Great job, John Prine is a national treasure America at its best. I'm happy to see so many people carrying on his music. I hope my grandchildren's generation will know his music.

[@lindahuff8976]

Great job. Miss this man daily. Thank you John Prine for being with me through every stage of my life both good and bad. I wish I could hear what you'd be writing now.

[@willykayak]

John's legacy and storytelling lives on through his music......thank you John, for your unique view of this crazy world....🌏

[@markmunger9978]

Damn. Next to seeing John play this live, the best ever version of a song that will live forever. RIP, John.

[@rebeccaconn7916]

So fortunate to see John Prine in concert. This tribute is beautiful.

[@karlmouck4878]

John would be proud.

[@jonmars9559]

Got me. Wasn't expecting to get all choked up.

[@alisonrist3706]

Yeah--me, too.

[@lauriec3354]

My Dad taught me this on my guitar when I was a child. Very fun memories. 😄

[@danateetampabay]

I miss John everyday! He inspired me to be a songwriter! We couldn’t believe it when he bought his house here in Gulfport fl I was lucky to meet him and give him my CDs. One night I asked him if he had ever listened to them. He told me he liked them and that he kept them in his car and listened to them on his way to gigs now and then! As far as I’m concerned, that’s the high water mark in my musical life! I doubt anything will ever top that for me! Thank you John and Fiona, and his brother Billy for inviting us into your lives. He could have did at 120 and it would have still been too soon!✌️❤️🎶

[@Shmoozo55]

Tears. Honest to God tears welled up out of my eyes. Thank you everybody.

[@moondancer9066]

Several good singers there. I think the black man with glasses is really good.💕

[@danieljudkins7974]

I am lucky enough to have parents that enjoy great music. I was able to see John 6 times over the years. I will never stop listening and sharing John's music with others. This is an amazing tribute.

[@vikkinorwood3186]

My favorite artist of all, own every album, started listening to him in 69 or 70, saw himive 4 times, love his last song, will miss you John Prine, dont cry for most artists, Janis and John, BB, and probably Bonnie, whether I'm gone or not.

[@katherinehunter9526]

Rest in Peace and love forever John Prine, you certainly brighten the lives of many people. Missing you and it's only been 1 year and a few days since you passed away on 04.07.20. I'll never forget your passing because it was the day before my 64 birthday. Now J.P., you'll always be part of my birthday celebrations. I'll be pouring libations on the ground for you will always be part of the birthday round. Cheers. Thanks for your lyrics all these years! ✌❤🎸🎶🌹🍻🙏 🇨🇦💃🐈 04.13.21

[@sprthrwwychnnl73]

Thank you to all the artists who made this beautiful tribute. RIP John we’ll never forget you

[@OldDemonTooth]

I am so thankful my father introduced me to John Prine at such a young age. This song and the album Lost Dogs would stick deep in my heart even when writing rock. His ability to write a ballad that entertained and enlighten the human condition is something I think is still embedded in everything I do. His writing was unique, unparalleled, and immortal. I am 42, and this song will always bring me to tears. The world is a better place for Mr. Prine having visited it for a while.

[@richdiana3663]

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful.

[@arrowheadhomestead2207]

A bid heart stopped beating the day we lost John Prine but his music beats on in our hearts!

[@willymakeit5172]

I first heard my physics professor sing this song back in the early 70s, love it. Thank you for not letting it die.

[@zippykitty2649]

Wonderful! John is incredibly touched in heaven everytime we all join in and sing that song together.

[@andrewhelfand2534]

A masterpiece of work. This is America.

[@chinto50]

2020 is a year we all ant to forget.. but we wont forget John.. I remember this song back in the 70s.. living in an old house in Brampton Ontario.. the house was a hundred years old.. a bunch artists all living together.. by that time we were called "OLD" hippies.. but you know something .. we were on the right track.. Now there are fewer.. like John some have passed.. You guys did a great Job.. thankyou for this.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Beautiful, simply beautiful. I figure John is smiling down on all his friends now.

[@drumcircler]

You left us in tears, Johnny Boy

[@MrHillbilly49]

God bless John Prine!!!! He was a man that could speak to all of our souls.

[@Wheatstraw53]

This is magnificent. Oh, what we've lost. May we all treasure these memories, and may our actions make us worthy of them.

[@stephentaylor2797]

A beautiful song sung by some beautiful people. God bless us all.

[@alboliska942]

You can feel how much these musicians love this song.

[@paullebel3967]

RIP.John Prine,a true gentleman.

[@paulworthington8666]

A beautiful version of a great song by a very good man. A valuable gift. Thank you.

[@ToddJohnson15]

What a wonderful tribute. Not sure how you can get through this song without tearing up.

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

I didn't.

[@donaldscobie8455]

Ok, now I am going to cry. Love and miss John.

[@georgefortune1109]

That was wonderful what a beautiful tribute to a great human being .RIPJohn

[@tericonnelly160]

Love bluegrass music. & love John prine you did a great job

[@marcelnicolas3247]

Hello Teri how are you doing today..

[@pennybenton5607]

I'm sure John can hear this. Bravo!! Bonnie Raitt never ceases to amaze me. Rest easy John

[@watercolours-didavidefrasc407]

Such a sweetness!!!!!!! I love it...

[@rundoetx]

I miss John so much. Thanks for posting

[@jerrydonovan7144]

I attempted a list of artists by first appearance. Corrections and additions welcome. Birds of Chicago (clarinet) Kieran Kane and Rayna Gilbert (fiddle and bouzouki) Robert Earl Keen Patty Griffin Los Coast (high tenor) Unknown (Initially I thought this was I'm With Her) Bo and Lebo Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber Rhiannon Giddens Carrie Rodriguez (fiddle and voice) (uncertain: man in purple shirt&pants) Bonnie Raitt

[@beachdog67]

Thanks for doing this.

[@45067daddymac]

I don't see I'm With Her in this video.

[@jerrydonovan7144]

@@45067daddymac, who is at 1:33?

[@45067daddymac]

Don't know, but it's not Sara Watkins, Aoife O'Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Otherwise known as I'm With Her.

[@jerrydonovan7144]

@@45067daddymac, I see. My screen has low res, and I mistook second from left for Aoife and inferred the others. I will edit accordingly.

[@davidtoelle3532]

Great song and a portrait of what America really is

[@sandischleier]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you! Rest peacefully in heaven John Prine! You are missed!

[@hotpoker4212]

John,how we all miss you,🇮🇪🇮🇪, I guess you are composing new music with Blaze,and Townes, what music that would be,oh and not forgetting Merle,and Waylon,

[@kathysunshine699]

One of my favorite songs, thanks for sharing this, my late husband was from that area, his daddy was a coal miner. I was not from there, but thought it all so interesting and different from my part of the country, where I grew up,and we grew crops on flat land....as far as you could see.

[@rockycat7679]

With a tear in my eye and a smile on my face....thank you John.

[@stevebardill5784]

Tear it up you guys killing it jhon prine would be proud

[@keithedwards9120]

This is the best Tribute I've ever heard, greats to a great, feeling from their hearts.

[@AaronSpielman]

I'm not crying, *you're* crying.

[@cltaylor4814]

WOW! ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WAS POWERFUL!

[@GasCityGuy]

Here we are almost a year on from John's passing and I'm still shedding tears.

[@derekwhitenz]

"many of our friends" What a grand selection of mussos. I wonder if somewhere John Pine is crying tears of happiness....

[@sylvainswift3234]

One of the best songs for me, but there's another great satisfaction: seeing all these artists I love and I'd never have thought they'd play together (nice to see Carrie Rodriguez for instance!). Thank you you all!

[@thomaswalsh287]

Raw and beautiful....I lbet Mr. Prine would've liked it....

[@paularmstrong9252]

and we're fighting the open pit coal mines in Alberta in 2021....thanks for the memories John.

[@Giles29]

And the coal company came, with the world's largest shovel They tortured the timber and stripped all the land They dug for their coal till the land was forsaken and the wrote it all down as the progress of man Nothing changes but the names

[@nameerbaker8158]

Every day music moves you to tears is a great day; when I want to have a great day I listen to this track.

[@weasel9834]

Missing you and still loving ya John.

[@williampaul8556]

Three beers and goose bumps.... (Well there's a song title for ya.) Heading for #4. Love you John. Miss you a lot.

[@bobito8997]

Wow! That gave me chills. One of my favourite country songs beautifully and lovingly performed by some of my favourite artists. Wonderful.

[@namcat53]

Thanks Bonnie from a longtime D.C. fan. So many amazing Little Feat, Steve Goodman, John Prine, David Bromberg, Jesse Colin Young, Emmylou, Linda shows...and you. We had Cerphe, Weasel /WHFS, The Cellar Door; we were in heaven and we knew it. Solid touchstones. LOVE!

[@alonzomosley7]

Wow some amazing artists ,I am still in awe of all the tributes to John Prines music

[@ldean-du5im]

Thanks to all of you for this tribute to my friend John. This music will live forever.

[@nomadjeff1922]

My dad worked for TVA after he came home from Vietnam. I went to school in Greenville (Muhlenburg County) from the first to third grade before we moved to Paducah, Ky.

[@nathanbumann7626]

WONDERFUL! In the Spirit of Playing For Change!

[@RoyJenner]

Unbelievably good. Thank you.

[@bobetzweiler2890]

Oh this is wonderful!!! What a beautiful way to honor and love John! Thank you!!! Miss ya, John.

[@losthighway53]

Simply beautiful

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you for all who provided this musical gift during our planet's pandemic; good work by all.

[@StonemanRocks]

Let the music play on! That was beautiful!

[@sartainja]

John would be proud. 👍

[@laratosh6977]

CHILLS! God bless you John and Fiona .

[@hankpierson4884]

Thanks to all. That was beautiful !

[@sambharr]

What a stunning version of this signature song..

[@slobake1626]

Amazing collaboration. Great example of how we can ALL work together during this time of polarization and contempt.