Fans, friends and family gathered at Rochester Dam for the dedication of John Prine Memorial Park on Oct. 1. The beautiful fall day was marked by memories of the musician, celebration of his life and legacy, and his impact on the region.
From Chicago, Illinois, Prine would spend time in Muhlenberg County, where his extended family lived. His song “Paradise” from his 1971 debut album was written for his father. It tells the tale of the impact of strip mining for coal and the devastation of the town of Paradise. It would go on to become one of his best-known songs. Prine died at the age of 73, on April 7, 2020 from complications caused by covid-19.
On Saturday, a few hundred fans were at the small park, along the Green River, to commemorate the day. People traveled from as far as San Francisco and Seattle to be there.
Some of Prine’s family members were there as well. His widow, Fiona Prine, spoke during the ceremony. Prine’s son, Jody Whelan, was also there.
“John would be so pleased about this,” Prine said. “I met John 30 years ago, and within the first 12 hours of knowing him, I knew all about this place. Muhlenberg County, Paradise, Rochester Dam, cousins and his relatives in Kentucky,” she reminisced.
Prine went on to say she struggles to speak of John Prine in the past tense. “But now I can say there is a park here at the Rochester Dam, today, in his name, and we can come and remember him and be with him and remember all the good that he left all of us.”
In a declaration read by Muhlenberg County Judge/Executive Curtis McGehee, the month of October will be celebrated as John Prine Month, “from the year 2022 and every year forward.”
Oct. 7-12 there will be a weeklong festival in Nashville honoring Prine. The “You Got Gold” festival will feature a series of sold-out concerts around the city, including two nights at the Ryman Auditorium and a night at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Events throughout the week include pop-up shops, bowling, record store stops, panel discussions and bourbon tastings.
Muhlenberg County’s Bard Distillery will be presenting special tastings in Nashville as part of the festival. Their special “You Got Gold” release features label artwork dedicated to the event and John Prine.
