John Prine Had a Porsche 911, and Left It to Sturgill Simpson
There’s no money in folk music, or so we’re told. But apparently that wasn’t the case for John Prine. Or at least it wasn’t the case for him later in life. From the “Singing Mailman” moonlighting in Chicago poet bars after finishing his routes, to one of the most revered songwriters of a generation, John Prine got to enjoy something many in music don’t before they pass away: a victory lap.
After five decades of paying dues and all that hard work paying off, John Prine decided to treat himself to his dream car—a Porsche 911 Turbo. It wasn’t a brand new model mind you. It was a 2008. But it was in mint condition, with barely any miles on it. If you’re having trouble picturing John Prine in a Porsche, you’re not alone. In fact, according to his wife Fiona, “…neither he nor I could get in or out of [it].”
But that didn’t really matter to John. In typical John Prine fashion, it’s what he wanted, so he bought it in early 2019, right around the time Dave Cobb came by Prine’s house with an engineer to capture the final song Prine ever recorded, “I Remember Everything.” Dave Cobb says the purchase of the Porsche “tells you where he was at. He was still ready to raise hell.”
After John Prine passed away on April 7th, 2020, he bequeathed the car to Sturgill Simpson. Prine and Sturgill both shared an office together in Nashville, in the same complex that David Ferguson’s The Butcher Shoppe recording studio is currently located, and where Sturgill recorded his latest album, Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 1. The two performers were also close friends—close enough that Prine would leave Sturgill a Porsche.
“I just recently became the new owner of his 2008 Porsche 911 turbo,” Sturgill told Stephen Colbert on November 10th when he stopped by The Late Show for a performance and chat. When Colbert was taken by surprise by the idea of Prine owning a Porsche, Sturgill assured, “Oh he’s a total car guy. He had a bunch of old Cadillacs. The 911 was his bucket list dream car. It’s only got about 20,000 miles on it. It’s showroom.”
It appears Sturgill understands that this isn’t just a Porsche 911 Turbo. This is John Prine’s Porsche 911 Turbo. “I like music and cars that go real fast. But I have three children, and I feel like I just had a fourth with the responsibility that comes with this thing. It’s bittersweet, but it will be something I treasure the rest of my life.”
And don’t be surprised if it’s something that lifetimes from now isn’t sitting in a museum somewhere, sort of like the motorcycle Buddy Holly gave to Waylon Jennings. It’s not only John Prine’s Porsche, it’s the Porsche John Prine left to Sturgill Simpson.
JB-Chicago
November 15, 2020 @ 11:48 am
Nice story for a cloudy gloomy and yes….. very windy day here. Put a smile on my face just like the Sturgill performance on Colbert.
Hey Arnold
November 15, 2020 @ 11:54 am
John Prine’s Outhouse & all of its contents are being left to Sam Hunt and FGL.
Kevin Smith
November 15, 2020 @ 2:23 pm
Your finest comment ever on this site Arnold.
Hey Arnold
November 15, 2020 @ 4:51 pm
It’s a reference to the movie “Snow Dogs” circa 2002. Great movie & line!!
Nefarious Intent ll
November 16, 2020 @ 10:54 am
Don’t be so jealous,empty your chamber pot hillbilly.
Ian
November 15, 2020 @ 12:33 pm
There was a great interview with John where he talked about his hobby of buying Cadillacs on Ebay. As far as money, it sounds like Al Bunetta had a deft touch for management and he worked with John from the beginning until he died. Prine was one of the first to start his own label and control his publishing. A lot to learn from the man in addition to writing songs.
Deborah Ledbetter
November 15, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
John, as always a class act. And as always, I say again, Many thanks to you and yours and all you have shared over the years.
Danny
November 15, 2020 @ 3:57 pm
John Prine was the best. My wife, daughters and myself have always loved everything about JP. Similar to The Man in Black, a source of light for the common peoples world wide. Thanks to Sturgill for calling out that awards show, astute, correct and thorough comments he made. John died, Trump didn’t, George Carlin was right…there ain’t a god!!
Big Tex
November 15, 2020 @ 8:31 pm
Dannyboy:
To make a political statement regarding this article is indicative of an unhealthy obsession.. You need to get a real job in order to keep your mind occupied on something worthwhile, but, be forewarned, political commentary is not your strong suit.
Oh . . . yes. One other thing:
Don’t ever use the word “myself” as you did in your post. It is grossly grammatically incorrect.
KLDavis
November 16, 2020 @ 7:09 am
“You need to get a real job”… Originality ain’t yer strong suit. Tex. Neither is grammar.
2. I or me personally (used to emphasize the speaker).
“I myself am unsure how this problem should be handled”
Lewis
November 16, 2020 @ 8:47 pm
Nit picking Tex. His point is well made. This is not a form for hatred, that’s what I understood the dude is saying. It’s very clear. Chill out.
Lena
November 17, 2020 @ 1:23 am
We are living in a time of Covid.Get down off your grammatical snobby horse…We have more serious problems to worry about. That’s the way the world goes round !
Big Tex
November 17, 2020 @ 9:43 am
Lena:
“Living in a time of Covid” does not mean we ignore what is and is not correct. One of the main problems with the public school system over the past two decades or so is to reduce or ignore standards, and, yes, that includes grammar.
Trigger
November 17, 2020 @ 9:45 am
Last comment on this thread.
This is a story about John Prine, Sturgill Simpson, and a Porsche. Please don’t disrespect this website and its readers by going off on political tangents that have nothing to do with the subject matter.
Derek
November 17, 2020 @ 6:02 am
You’re full of yourself.
dino
November 15, 2020 @ 8:35 pm
Why would you want anyone to die you idiot???
KLDavis
November 16, 2020 @ 7:05 am
Why would you say that he wants anyone to die? Is it so hard to understand that he would have preferred that Donnie bite the dust rather than John? The comment is not about wanting anyone to die.
Bubblebutt
November 20, 2020 @ 8:40 am
Where is Donnie?
Lewis A. Sala
November 16, 2020 @ 9:05 pm
My opinion on you question. Simple there is a non ending of this mindless hate for Trump. This most likely is one of his continental negative daily rituals. Useless time for the mentality deficient. It’s gives him a reason to regurgitate the ugliness. I don’t usually get involved but gee we have bigger fish to fry now. Think positive people.
Derek
November 17, 2020 @ 6:12 am
Your reading comprehension isn’t too good and Donnie has said much, much worse, that ethically challenged troglodyte couldn’t relate to John Prine song if he tried. No hate here, just disgust for mental contortions his followers put themselves into to claim righteousness and justify their support for Trump, a man driven by his ego for power and money and will use everyone and anything to get them.
Doug
November 18, 2020 @ 8:07 am
I haven’t followed the thread here, so can’t comment one way or another, but I always get a kick out of seeing the word “troglodyte” use in almost any context.
Nefarious Intent ll
November 16, 2020 @ 10:59 am
Keep watching cnn-remember”stupid ppl DON’T know they are stupid,OTHER ppl do”
Massatucky
November 15, 2020 @ 4:19 pm
Now thats a generous friend, I hear Chris Stapleton did 107 in one in Arkansas. Can’t wait for the new album review.
Captain Bellmeyer
November 15, 2020 @ 7:31 pm
A pity Coors Beer is now pasteurized. It would be fun to break it in by doing a beer run with it (though I suppose you could do an inversion by taking weed from Morrow Mountain State Park (best weed in North Carolina I’ve been told by Marijuana smokers) and driving it to Colorado where it’s legal.
Allen Burnett
November 16, 2020 @ 2:11 am
Berry me in Cadillac, Michigan. Maybe in the spring, when we git some cherry blossoms, I’ll roll up heaven, see, an angel on Wells Street.
Bobby
November 16, 2020 @ 6:37 am
I’d put J PRINE 1 on the tag
James Bradley
November 16, 2020 @ 7:47 am
JP was a class act. This just proves it. The soundtract of my life is a whole lot of JP.
Dawg Fan
November 16, 2020 @ 8:08 am
Good for John and good for Sturgill.
Big Cat
November 16, 2020 @ 8:19 am
That’s a really cool story. Thanks for sharing
charles a ross
November 16, 2020 @ 8:22 am
OK, I’m a Prine fan, not a C&W fan, other than the alt-ctry murricana austin side (mind you I have played with a few country and twangy rock bands), but now I’ll be checking out Sturgill. Also it’s funny that getting in and out of 911 was a problem because I have the same gripe with my ferdinand kraut Audi A3 (2008) which I love every other way. Makes me feel more of a bond with prince John.
“let’s take of the air filter and see what she’ll really do”
Hunter
November 16, 2020 @ 9:24 am
Sturgill wants the CMA money but he was canceled
Doug
November 18, 2020 @ 8:10 am
I heard that interview with Steve Colbert, and enjoyed it, but cringed when he introduced Sturgill as a “country singer,” and I’ll bet Sturgill did too.
Mary
November 18, 2020 @ 11:00 am
Just goes to show….always buy your bucket list car early in life so you have lots of time to enjoy it.
Mike Honcho
November 21, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
Neither of these guys could handle a 930 with their limp wrists. Called The Widowmaker. Sell the car to a man with less estrogen.
Gina
November 25, 2020 @ 9:06 pm
That’s nice. They were good friends and it’s sweet the John did this.