The beloved singer-songwriter John Prine died on April 7th from complications related to COVID-19. I knew and admired his music since I can remember. My folks played his records when I was a kid and I went to see him whenever I could. The last time was in Salina, KS in 2017. He was great. Like many I suppose, his words echo through my life in good times and bad. I’ve been inspired to create posters based on his songs, and have fallen in love to his offbeat rhymes. This tribute is based on a 1970’s photo of John in front of a bunch of orphaned Bob’s Big Boy figurines. I adapted it to hint at Roger Ebert’s nickname for Prine, the “Singing Mailman,” and added an old bottle of Orange Crush to reference the line, “I’m sitting on the front steps drinking Orange Crush, wondering if it’s possible if I could still blush,” from his song, “The Sins of Memphisto.”
If you want to see it, come over to East Lawrence and find the Turnhalle. It’s on the alley-side facing east.
