John Prine’s Son Tommy Prine Releases Debut Single
Anyone who’s studied country and roots music over the years knows how important pedigree can be, and doesn’t need to be sold on the importance of the songwriting legacy of John Prine. The music legend died in 2020 at the age of 73, but his memory lives on through his music and his label Oh Boy Records. It will also live on through his son, who has just released his debut single in what he hopes will be the start of a promising songwriting career charting a legacy all his own.
At 26 years old, Tommy Prine is the youngest son of John Prine. He learned how to fingerpick from his father, first picking up a guitar at the age of 10. But interestingly, it wasn’t his father’s music that first inspired Tommy to get into singer/songwriter material at the age of 17. It was Jason Isbell’s opus Southeastern.
Tommy would go out on the road with his dad when he was younger, helping to sell merch, and upon occasion, taking the stage to sing a song. The first song Tommy wrote was called “Something Like An Angel,” and after hearing it, John encouraged him to write more. It was performing with his father at the 30A Songwriters Fest a few years ago where Tommy really caught the bug, and wanted to become a performer. The death of his father and finding songwriting as a way to process the grief compelled him even more.
You hear that processing of grief in Tommy Prine’s debut, “Ships in the Harbor.” With a poetic grace that doesn’t need a famous name to be compelling, Tommy exquisitely encapsulates how all the happiness and grace in life—however enjoyable—is invariably fleeting. From the warmth of seeing a bluebird perched on a fence, to the unconditional love of a father, eventually, it will go away due to the rhythms of life. As much as “Ships in the Harbor” is a lament on inevitability, it’s also a lesson to enjoy the sweet moments of life while we’re in the midst of them.
“I wrote this song around my birthday last year,” Tommy explains, “and I always get super existential around my birthday and I had a thought that we as humans can only feel as deeply as we do and love people and fear things and all the other intense emotions is because everything we experience is finite, including our own lives. So I wrote a song about these little powerful moments and reflections in the human experience to try and capture the beauty in mortality.”
Tommy has another song he’s planning to release October 14th called “Turning Stones” ahead of a debut album expected in early 2023. He’s been touring on and off throughout 2022, and will be performing at AmericanaFest in Nashville on September 15th at 8:00 p.m. at The 5 Spot. He’ll also be on tour with Todd Snider in November.
All we have is one song from Tommy Prine so far, but it reveals him as one of the more promising young voices in the singer/songwriter space.
Conrad Fisher
September 10, 2022 @ 8:20 am
I dig his voice. Good song, too. This would work with just him and a guitar, which is the test of a good song to me.
The melody is great.
Chucky Waggs
September 10, 2022 @ 8:25 am
Man, this is good
JD Graham
September 10, 2022 @ 8:42 am
Fantastic!!
Wonkabar23
September 10, 2022 @ 9:06 am
Great song. Hope he has a great future. This one was produced by Ruston Kelly and you can totally see the similar vibes to him in it
Crystal Wagner
September 10, 2022 @ 9:46 am
What a beautiful song !
Gerry Martin
September 10, 2022 @ 9:23 am
Congrats !! Very good song Tom. Miss you John Prine.
Banjo
September 10, 2022 @ 10:23 am
Wow! This is excellent. The last verse killed me. John Prine was my favorite of all time.
C
September 10, 2022 @ 11:10 am
Beautiful song! Wondering if “when I’m by peaceful waters” in the last verse, is that a reference to “Lake Marie”?
JB-Chicago
September 10, 2022 @ 11:23 am
I just caught that I made a mistake in the new release thread about Tommy and this song that was produced by Ruston Kelly (not Jay Ruston)….sometimes when you’re watching someone live and they mention a name you’re not familiar with etc….. it can be confusing. My apologies to Ruston…….never the less the local crowd was happy to have Tommy here for a sold out show Tuesday night and he didn’t disappoint. This song sounded great as did his whole set. Looking forward to the album.
Andy
September 10, 2022 @ 11:24 am
He’s got a Justin Townes Earle vibe. 👍🏻
Di Harris
September 10, 2022 @ 1:08 pm
Tommy,
What a gorgeous song.
We feel your pain.
Praying for the day when you stand by the water & everything gets easier and easier.
As it should.
Oct ’19. Standing at the ocean at Anna Maria Island. Huge storm whipped up. The surf was violent, the roar sounded like a 100 jet engines.
Thought, all i have to do, is walk into the water, let it take me. Then i can be with my husband.
31 Aug., a week and a half ago.
On a schooner, out of Annapolis. Lay back, and closed my eyes. Let the motion of the sailboat take me. Thought about my husband, & smiled.
He would have loved that trip.
You will not ever forget.
But, it does get a little easier.
Sending you love
Ronnie
September 10, 2022 @ 3:18 pm
That song was beautiful. Can’t wait to hear more.
Daniele
September 10, 2022 @ 3:20 pm
Wow, powerful.
can definitely spot the Ruston Kelly influence minus the cheesy emo factor.
bright future ahead.
Dont Rap the Jukebox
September 10, 2022 @ 3:37 pm
Ohhh, I can’t wait till my break at work so I can check this out. The write up was really well done, Trigger!
RJay
September 10, 2022 @ 5:33 pm
Enjoying very much.
Marilyn
September 10, 2022 @ 6:33 pm
Love this song
Tap
September 10, 2022 @ 7:11 pm
I guess it’s OK, but there wasn’t a single mention of a truck. I’d suggest he take another crack at this, but with a truck as both the metaphor and conveyance for leaving… soon…. as he should.
Luckyoldsun
September 10, 2022 @ 9:38 pm
Over the years, I’ve gotten LP’s and CDs by Hank Jr., Rosanne Cash, Carlene Carter and Pam Tillis, but also by Marty Haggard, Tony Stampley, Dean Miller, The Lynns. We’ll see where Tommy Prine comes down relative to a crowded field.
Kent
September 11, 2022 @ 6:16 am
Wonderful song. But it feels more folk than country.
As many of his father’s songs.
David: The Duke of Everything
September 11, 2022 @ 7:40 am
A great song and yes it’s more like his father’s music which is fine. Country originated from that type music. Nice to see music go back to it’s roots.
byron weitzel
September 11, 2022 @ 2:43 pm
has talent but can he expand.?lotta room to move
pappy lee
September 11, 2022 @ 5:10 pm
I was really pleasantly surprised, Tommy. You are very talented. I teared up with the last verse. Keep going.
Janis
September 16, 2022 @ 6:16 am
Lov it … lovi it !! More more
Andrew
September 12, 2022 @ 8:05 am
Damn, that last verse man.
Kelly Rolfe
September 12, 2022 @ 3:13 pm
WOW… One of the MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS EVER! STUNNING in its simplicity and depth. My Mom died a month ago…I Cried fom the first line…
Jake
September 12, 2022 @ 6:02 pm
Man, this song is great. Makes me think of Red River by Ryan Culwell in the best way. Can’t wait to hear more from this kid.
Ray Flaherty
September 15, 2022 @ 8:10 am
A chip off the old block. Huge fan of his Dad, John, so I listened with very mixed emotions but can’t wait to hear more of Tommy.
Mike Thomas
January 22, 2023 @ 8:08 pm
Tommy, loved your song and you have a great voice. I never knew your father, though I saw him play a number of times. I also sang and played his music from 1974 till now. I knew him through his music, like so many others. I’ll be watching to see what you put out and if this first offering sets the tone I am very excited!! Thank you for carrying on!!