Cabaret night in Omagh will pay homage to music legend John Prine

The great John Prine passed away as a result of Covid-19 in April of last year, but his contribution to our understanding of the human condition will live on forever in the songs that he left behind.

The grief felt by fans across the world after the pudgy-faced poet from Illinois passed was testament to the deep connection Mr Prine forged with his audience. He was a poet without pretension – John spoke to, and for, ordinary people.

Five of these ordinary people who felt the weight of the words and music of John are playing in the Strule Arts Centre next week in a cabaret night that will pay homage to the blue-collared bard – any Tyrone fan would be a fool to miss this one.

We Are Tyrone spoke with lead vocalist and guitar player from Ireland’s number one exponents of John’s word, ‘Illegal Smile’. This is what Barry Johnston had to say.

“John played this very venue only a few years ago, so the band, as well as Ralph McLean – BBC Radio Ulster presenter and John Prine aficionado – thought the Strule Arts Centre was an indispensable part of any tour schedule,” he said.

“John was widely regarded as one of the most iconic singer songwriters of our time and the winner of four Grammy awards.

“He was not a commercial artist, in the sense of Garth Brooks or Dolly Parton, but he gathered a global following of people who love and appreciate superb lyrics which observe the human condition inall its stages, from the cradle to the grave.

“At the age of 23, he was discovered by Kris Kristofferson and made such an impression that Kris sardonically suggested ‘breaking John’s thumbs!’,” laughed Barry.

“John explored how people responded to the sometimes cruel, sometimes comedic, cards that life deals them.

“Early songs included ‘Sam Stone’, which examines the dilemma of a Vietnam war veteran suffering from PTSD who succumbs to aheroin overdose because he can’t cope.”

Barry recited a few lyrics, “ ‘There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes’… It’s as relevant today as it was then.”

He continued, “ ‘Hello in There’ deals with how people become invisible as they age, and reminds us that they need to be valued.

“And ‘In Spite of Ourselves’ casts a humorous eye on the magic and mundane aspects of a slightly dysfunctional couple’s love for each other.”

This is music at it’s very best and Illegal Smile Ireland are the premier exponents of Prine’s work in Ireland if not Europe.

The show is hosted by Ralph McLean – a man of bottomless knowledge of American folk and country music. The fact he has endorsed them speaks volumes of the band’s credibility.

l The show takes place on Saturday, November 27 and the doors open at 8pm. Go andsit back, have a few drinks,and let the sounds of the speedof loneliness move yourmusical soul!