There are many great admirers of John Prine and his work and any song that celebrates the legendary musician will capture our attention at AUK. Texan songwriter Keegan McInroe was moved to pen his own tribute to the great man when he heard about Prine’s passing. It was 7th April 2020 and McInroe was spending lockdown with family in Dublin, Texas. Hearing the news brought sadness but his niece offered some unexpected words of comfort that prompted this song, which celebrates the music of John Prine and imagines him, in death, living out the words of his song ‘When I Get to Heaven.’ It’s a touching narrative, reinforced by the homely video, filmed on the McInroe family property and starring that same niece, Roxie Zetzsche, who helped McInroe feel better.
In the song’s spoken introduction, McInroe’s voice has a lilting musicality, a smooth, engaging cadence that’s just right for telling stories. This continues throughout ‘John’s Song’s’, his talk-singing drawing us into his intimate narrative. Chris Watson’s tumbling piano notes, Jeff Dazey’s sax and Gary Grammer’s harmonica take turns to lead us through fluent, uplifting melodies.
The single is from McInroe’s forthcoming album ‘Dusty Passports & Empty Beds’, which is due out on 7th June 2024. McInroe’s seventh studio album is a product of the pandemic, created, like therapy, at that time when the world stopped and the artist was left with introspection and internal exploration. The resulting album is rooted in the uncertainty of that time but covers more universal themes of what it means to be human: loss, grief, trying to be better and learning to know yourself. McInroe is one of those rare people whose creativity is represented in multiple art forms; from poet to radio show host, pod-caster to travel writer and more, he has engaged with many audiences. As a musician, he has shared stages with the likes of Shovels & Rope and Charley Crockett and is known for his storytelling qualities. Enjoy this and, alongside Keegan McInroe, share in the healing power of John Prine’s songs.
