Livestream passes available via the ticket button above through Sunday, February 7 at noon eastern. Stream on-demand as many times as you like until 11:59pm ET on 2/7/21
On Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 7pm many beloved musicians with Michigan roots will pay tribute to John Prine by offering covers of his classic songs. Tickets to this livestreamed performance are on sale Monday, January 25 at 10am and available via the Ark’s website at theark.org/folk-festival. The event will be available for rebroadcast through February 7.
When we say The Ark wouldn’t be what it is today without John Prine, that’s not just a figure of speech. John Prine was the headliner for the very first Ann Arbor Folk Festival in 1976, at a time when the club was deep in debt, and closing the doors was a distinct possibility. And he played for free, asking only that his transportation be covered. People sometimes ask us for inside information on what Ark performers are like, but the onstage John Prine, bemused yet warm, was the real John Prine. “John was just one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet,” then program director Dave Siglin told the Ann Arbor News. “He was wide open—you could just walk up to him and talk to him. Total strangers could talk to him, and he was kind of shy, but he liked people and he always gave 100% in every performance.”
Featured performers for the Sunday night tribute include The Accidentals, Al Bettis, Annie & Rod Capps, Chris Buhalis, Dave Boutette & Kristi Lynn Davis, Dick Siegel, Erin Zindle, Jill Jack, Joshua Davis, Matt Watroba & Robert Jones, May Erlewine, Michigan Rattlers, The RFD Boys, Seth Bernard, and The War & Treaty.
Streaming passes for the Sunday, January 31 tribute show are $10. The show will be archived for unlimited viewing with your streaming pass through Sunday, February 7. All funds raised through this event and the Ann Arbor Folk Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.
Running Order:
The War & Treaty - Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
Matt Watroba and Robert Jones - Fish & Whistle
Erin Zindle and Alex Holycross - Long Monday
Joshua Davis with May Erlewine – In Spite of Ourselves
Jill Jack - I Remember Everything
The Accidentals – Angel From Montgomery
The RFD Boys - The Frying Pan
Dick Siegel - Illegal Smile
Chris Buhalis - Far From Me
Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis - Boundless Love
May Erlewine - Hello In There
Annie and Rod Capps - The Glory of True Love
Al Bettis - Summers End
Seth Bernard - Spanish Pipedream
Michigan Rattlers – All The Best
