VIA PRESS RELEASE | Recorded during the 2017 Newport Folk Festival®, John Prine and Friends is the first-ever release of this celebrated and unique performance. Joining John on stage during this once-in-a-lifetime set were some of our very dear friends including (in order of appearance) Justin Vernon, Jim James, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, and Roger Waters.
Offered exclusively through Newport Folk and produced with the support of The Prine Family and Oh Boy Records, John Prine and Friends has been mixed from the original multi-tracks and mastered specifically for this vinyl release. This limited edition 2-record set will be pressed on premium 180-gram vinyl and housed in a deluxe Stoughton old-style tip-on gatefold jacket. Each pre-order includes an instant digital download of the entire recording. Proceeds from the sale support the Newport Festivals Foundation’s ongoing initiatives to aid musicians in need and music programs across the country. Pre-order now and receive your digital download immediately. Vinyl is expected to ship in October.
The impact of last year’s festival cancellations has been felt deeply throughout the community as Newport Festivals Foundation relies on the revenue it makes each year at the festivals in order to carry out its work. Thanks to the support of the Newport Folk and Jazz fans and donors, NFF has been able to continue to support music programs in our own backyard of Newport, Rhode Island and all across America. Since 2018, the Artist Gives initiative has provided over 100 grants to music education programs in over 30 states, including instruments for public schools, funding for music instruction workshops for Veterans, Girls Rock Summer camps, after school music lessons for children with learning disabilities, and more.
In addition to its year round work and in response to the pandemic, the foundation established the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund (MRF) to provide financial relief to musicians in our Folk & Jazz communities experiencing a loss of income as a result of COVID-19. Resources from NFF and donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations have allowed the MRF to help over 400 musicians since April 1. To learn more about NFF’s programs and work, visit newportfestivals.org.
About Newport Festivals Foundation | Newport Festivals Foundation is a 501(c)(3) profit organization and its mission is to foster the legacy and expand the impact of its Folk and Jazz Festivals through educational initiatives that celebrate innovation while preserving the deep traditions inherent in Jazz and Folk music. The Foundation’s goal is to offer opportunity, inspire through exposure and facilitate the collection of resources needed for musicians to celebrate and innovate.
The focus on creating unique experiences to spark engagement is accomplished through a variety of initiatives taking place all over America, including instrument donations, performances at schools and support for music education programs with partnering organizations. For more information on the education initiatives of Newport Festivals Foundation, please visit www.newportfestivals.org.
About Oh Boy Records | Oh Boy Records is an independent record label located in Nashville, Tennessee. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the company was founded in 1981 by multiple Grammy Award winner, singer-songwriter, John Prine, and his manager and business partner, Al Bunetta. The label is run by the Prine family, and is the second oldest artist-run independent label in the U.S. The label continues to expand its catalog with a dedication to authentic voices, giving songwriters a platform to create art while speaking their truth.
The history of Oh Boy Records began in 1980 when Prine finished his recording contract with Asylum and moved to Nashville. Rather than sign with another label, he decided to start one of his own, and was joined by Bunetta. The new Oh Boy label’s first release was a red vinyl Christmas single with Prine singing “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” on the A-side and “Silver Bells” on the B-side. The first full-length release was Prine’s Aimless Love in 1984, which was completely fan-funded and helped launch the label. Over the years, Prine received offers to purchase the label, but has always decided to remain independent.
The label has now released more than 50 audio and video recordings by singer-songwriters John Prine, Dan Reeder, Todd Snider, Kris Kristofferson, Kelsey Waldon, Tré Burt, and Arlo McKinley, along with a dozen reissues of classic country music artists.
