Living in the Present with John Prine

by Tom Piazza, Unknown Author

A joyful, moving, vivid window onto the life and heart of an American icon.


In the spring of 2018, Tom Piazza climbed into a 1977 Coupe DeVille with the great singer-songwriter John Prine, taking a Florida road trip that soon evolved into a deep friendship, full of jokes and tall tales over epic meals, afternoons digging around antique malls and record stores, and long nights playing guitar and trading songs. Eventually they decided to write Prine’s memoir together, and Prine shared intimate, often hilarious stories of his youth and family in Chicago and Kentucky, his breakthrough into the national spotlight, his riotous early years in the Nashville country scene, and much more. When Prine died suddenly of COVID in April 2020, that unfinished memoir evolved into an intimate narrative of the artist’s final years. Piazza offers fans an unforgettable portrait of the beloved musician in his late glory—as a boyish cut-up, an epic raconteur, a great American poet, and most importantly, the good friend his fans have always imagined.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

Hardcover

Reviews

[Michael Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appreciating John

Remember when Covid started its roar? Things started shutting down around mid-March 2020. I remember cancelling Saint Patrick’s Day with the kids, amidst alarming reports from across the globe. Then Covid was given a face when Tom Hanks caught it. Then, after a few days, we heard that John Prine was hospitalized.

Singer Josh Ritter once told of preparing to board a rickety old plane during an apocalyptic storm. He was only reassured when realizing that John Prine was also boarding, commenting something to the effect of, “Nothing can happen to John Prine!”

John died of Covid on April 7. Man, it struck hard. If it can happen to John…

“Living in the Present with John Prine” is not a memoir, although it was originally intended to be one. It started off as an agreement between John and author Tom Piazza to collaborate on Prine's autobiography. They shared a friendship for only two years before things ended abruptly with the shock of John’s unexpected death. Instead, what we get here is John’s humor, intelligence, and wit on full display. His remarkable personality shines through as he relays stories of his childhood, his time in the service, his poolhall-hustling days, and his musical journey.

This is a concise book, a brief glimpse into the essence of the artist behind some of America's most touching and lasting songs. Reading it is like rediscovering lost moments with a loved one you miss or finding film footage of precious times you had somehow forgotten.

Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company, NetGalley, and Edelweiss Plus for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date for this book is September 9, 2025.

---
I guess I just process death differently than some folks. Realizing you're not going to see that person again is always the most difficult part about it. But that feeling settles, and then you are glad you had that person in your life, and then the happiness and the sadness get all swirled up inside you. John Prine

---

"When I Get to Heaven"
And I always will remember these words my daddy said
He said, " Buddy, when you're dead, you're a dead pecker-head"
I hope to prove him wrong
That is, when I get to heaven
And then I'm gonna get a cocktail
Vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette that's nine miles long
I'm gonna kiss that pretty girl on the tilt-a-whirl
'Cause this old man is goin' to town… John Prine

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When John and I talked about his life, for the memoir or anything else, what he remembered came alive because of his words, his presence in language. Not talking about, not making a dead likeness, a recitation of something past and gone, but by being present in time and space. The point was always to be open to the moment.

In the wonderful way that reading one book leads to another and another, and sometimes a whole series of books, listening to albums by Better Midler and Bonnie Raitt led me to one of my favorite singer/songwriters. As a lonely teen playing records in my bedroom, I noticed that Midler's "Hello in There", and Raitt's "Angel from Montgomery" were written by the same person --- John Prine. I certainly needed to add one (or several) of his discs to my collection. That was many, many decades ago, and my enjoyment of the man's music has never waned. I was lucky enough to see him perform live in 1995, and it was an unforgettable evening.

I'm glad this book came along to help me get to know him even better.

Piazza had been tapped by Prine to write his memoir, but Prine died in early April 2020 from complications caused by COVID-19, and that project never got very far. The writer and songwriter met many times however. Finding that they had much in common, Prine and Piazza became friends - visiting favorite haunts, and listening to, and playing music together. Much of the book is about the times and laughs they shared.

There were some surprises to be found here. I did not know that in his youth, Prine was a master of the pommel horse. (I still have trouble picturing that . . . ) And, not really a surprise at all, he LOVED old diners and craved meatloaf.

Reading this is a bittersweet experience. I'm glad for what he left us, but wish he could have stuck around a lot longer.

John seemed happiest when he didn't know exactly what would happen--driving, walking around, browsing in a record store or antiques shop, especially playing music or sitting with friends or family over a meal--when he was being there, then. Tasting the food, hearing the joke, the music, seeing the sunset. Sharing the moment, seeing and hearing the same thing.


Many thanks to NetGalley and W.W. Norton for both an electronic and a physical ARC of this book.

[Steven]

The strength of Living in the Present with John Prine lies with its complete lack of detachment, its genuine intimacy. Piazza doesn’t distance himself from the subject, he doesn’t give a comprehensive biography of Prine, or a critical study of his musicianship, opting instead for a loving portrait of a person and a friend. As Prine’s longtime bandmate Jason Wilber told Piazza, Prine’s greatness as an artist doesn’t come from any easily quantifiable technical skill or inventiveness but with a humanity and emotional depth that’s hard to put into words (except for Prine’s own). With this as Prine’s strength, no overly technical, formulaic, and detached biography could truly capture Prine as a person and as an artist, but Piazza’s approach does just this. By relying heavily on Prine’s voice as well as occasional stories from those closest to him, and of course on Piazza’s own stories, the kindness, humor, and generosity of John Prine shine through.

[Mark Hartzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss John Prine. While I didn’t listen to his music every day, I would randomly look for one of his tunes on a regular basis. “It’s a Big, Old Goofy World”; “Sam Stone”; “Lake Marie”; “Mexican Home”; and on & on. Just one of the best songwriters who ever lived. But Covid-19 killed him, and that really makes me sad. I wasn’t ready for him to go.

Tom Piazza does a fantastic job of staying out of the way and letting Prine be Prine. The riffing and observations are so characteristic of Mr. Prine. Here he is talking about meeting with Bob Dylan and becoming friends:

“And then throughout the years, little by little, I ran into all of his relatives, totally by accident. I went to see Bob at a show in Chicago, and I ended up sitting next to his Mom. I got introduced to her and she said, ‘Oh, we’ve heard a lot about you, John Prine.’ I met his brother David-his brother ran the theater in Minneapolis. Bob’s wife Sara, before they got divorced, told me she used to play my records at home all the time. And I’m thinking, ‘That musta drove Bob nuts!’ His son Jakob said when they were kids they would sing ‘Fish and Whistle.’” p. 29

Piazza became friends with John and his wife Fiona the last 2 years of John’s life, and you can feel the love between the men and their families. I’m really happy that Mr. Piazza was able to share these stories (and a few photos). It felt like I got a chance to smile a little illegal smile to myself knowing John Prine’s music while I was turning the pages. A lovely man. He will be missed. 5 stars.

[Mike S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could have had hot dogs with John Prine. Maybe bought some new shoes with the guy. Tom Piazza makes it sound magical, and the writing is very good, and Prine was funny and so quick, and boy did we lose a great one in 2020. Though the comment within the book that most destroyed me was Piazza talking about himself as an only child, how he felt he was "subconsciously seeking out siblings his whole life" and I have spent a good amount of time the last few days rolling that over and over in my head and yeah. What a blessing for Tom that he met and worked with John for a couple years, got to share a really lovely friendship beyond just writing about him.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying listening to Tom Piazza speak about his times with John Prine. I originally found out about this talented Singer/Songwriter through my Brother, Kevin. I had heard his songs over the years, but just did not realize who sang them. John Prine lived an authentic and grounded life, one in the moment and that valued family. It was unusual for him to befriend someone new, so that he became friends with Tom Piazza was unexpected.

John and Tom became deep friends and that entailed Tom listening to many of John’s stories. He lived a fascinating, but simple life. He was an easy going guy. He just lived this way and liked the dynamics between these two. I wish some of John Prince’s music was included, but that probably wasn’t possible. John dealt with serious health issues such as cancer, yet seemed to just go on living. It was so sad when he got Covid, and all his invincibility finally came to an end. He left so much to listen to and learn about life.

Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for a copy of this. I always leave reviews of books I read.

[Forrest McCurren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankful to have this (small) peak into personal-side of an American Treasure. Cheers to Handsome Johnny who's in the Big Night Club in the Sky, smoking a nine-mile long cigarette, drinking a vodka ginger ale and kissing that pretty girl on the Tilt-a-Whirl.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional experience, lovely in the personal glimpses and bittersweet as the loss of John Prine all too soon prevented the author from writing a more expansive memoir.
The vivid recollections of Covid-19 were a visceral gut-punch and reminder of the deep losses and lasting impact of those days. The music, all the music is everything. The presentation here of a life well lived and much loved is an experience to savor.

[Stuart Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. John Prine is one of those artists who, when someone says his name, you find yourself smiling. I saw him in an airport about 10 years ago and that’s exactly what I did. I left him alone to his privacy, but now I regret that.

He was a unique talent who managed to say things in a way no one else did and did so with a grounded, down-to-earth voice.

This brief book covers, by and large, the last few years of Prine’s life, as presented by author Piazza, who started as a fan, met Prine for a profile gig, and ended up becoming a close friend. You will visit a shoe store, learn about the subject’s taste for hot dogs, bear witness to a jukebox fire, and simply get a sense of who Prine was as a man and why he connected with audiences.

What I love about the book is that Piazza figures out how to convey his affection for Prine without turning him into a saint, and without exaggerating the nature of his friendship.

If you have any affection at all for Prine, do yourself a favor and read this book. It’ll bring him back to life and remind you, if a record is not nearby, why you love him so much.

Many thanks to W.W. Norton and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jack Mcloone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful portrait of what seems to be a lovely man who has written just incredible music, and a book with such an unfortunately sad backstory that gets used to craft something special.

I unfortunately came to John Prine late, only really hearing about him after his death. I started listening to him a ton in 2025 and have slowly become more and more obsessed, most notably occasionally straight up crying if I listen to How Lucky or When I Get To Heaven too early in the morning. So the timing of this book couldn’t be better.

This was borne of two projects: a profile by the author, Tom Piazza, that quickly turned into a friendship with Prine and his wife Fiona, and a planned memoir that was only two interviews deep when COVID started in earnest, eventually taking Prine’s life.

The book is broken into three sections, the first being a conventional “here’s how we met and some stories” section. But wow are the stories good, full of tender moments, laugh out loud jokes and incidents (including a particularly flawed jukebox), and all the music stories you can handle.

But the second section is what’s gorgeous: Piazza transcribes large portions of the interviews they did complete for the planned memoir, letting Prine’s voice shine. It’s peppered with some narrative to keep things moving, but what a delight.

The third, sadly, encapsulates Prine’s death, but also then features interviews with his longtime touring guitarist and his older brother, with the latter being some of the best stuff in the book.

Piazza pays a terrific homage to his friend and a titan of folk music, a real “your favorite musician’s favorite musician” type. I honestly think I’ll come back to this again and again.

[Chuck Wiedrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a beautiful job of presenting John Prine the man. I loved the way he used short glimpses of the times he spent. They provided deep insights. References to well known stories were augmented nicely by either context and/or additional information. A quick read, an enjoyable read. A definite must read for the John Prine fan. I gave four out of five not because the author didn't deserve five, but because of John Prine's untimely passing....the author did his best given the limited material with which he had to work.

[J.T. Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was left, overall, with a sense of disappointment. The book is not meant to be a complete biography. John didn’t want that anyway. It is a snapshot into a period of time when John was developing a new friendship.

The thing the book needed was a deeper descriptiveness into those interactions—some additional insights. On the surface, it seems very descriptive. But at its core, it’s mostly “this happened, then this happened, then this.” It was more shallow than I expected.

[little_pangolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a really nice book ;_;

[Katie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice balance of insights into the man and his music. Unwraps the caring heart of John Prine. I leave this book thinking, “so that is why you are drawn to this man and his music.”

[Sam Olvey]

you just love him

[Markus Riemer]

The good stuff

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, brief glimpse into the heart, humanity, and wit of the beloved singer/songwriter, John Prine. What began as a memoir evolved into an intimate portrait of a friendship after Prine’s death from COVID-19 in 2020. It is lovingly written and warmly captures the essence of Prine as he relates his memories to a good friend in a relaxed setting. It’s conversational, but never feels like an interview.

So much of this is told in Prine’s own words, and in doing so, really puts you in the room with him. While bittersweet at times, you won’t be able to help smiling at his humble, unpretentious, and often hilarious stories. I would recommended this for all John Prine fans.

Also, the audiobook is excellent. The narration is natural and makes you feel like you’re listening in on their conversations. At only 4.5 hours, it’s a perfect companion for a long car ride or a quiet afternoon at home.

Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the ALC.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advance copy of this book about a growing friendship with a legendary singer songwriter, memories shared between the two of the past and of the future, and how it was all cut short.

John Prine was a man who preferred to let his songs to the talking, about life, about love, and about himself. Autobiographical biographical was how Prine described his songs, drawing on his on experiences, good and bad, and the lives of others that he saw or dealt with. A man comfortable with those he knew, and not much for new people in his life. Until Prine met Tom Piazza. These two bonded over music, art, lives lived and something more. They played music together, rode in cars, shared meals, and even more importantly Prine finally found someone who could help him bring his life to book form, something he had long avoided. Until the scourge of the 21st took Prine away. Living in the Present with John Prine by Tom Piazza is a bit of memoir, a travel book, a musical history and more importantly a book about friendship, cut off way to short.

Tom Piazza was at a concert when he decided to do another musical profile, after twenty years. Piazza was a biographer and a writer for magazines, television and fiction. The man he wished to profile was the singer/songwriter John Prine, a man loved by fans and respected by his musical peers, creator of songs like Angel of Montgomery and When I Get to Heaven. Prine was not much for the press, and not much for sharing about his art, Prine preferred to let the music do his talking. However a quick meeting turned into something more than a profile, but a friendship. Soon Piazza was riding with Prine in his recently acquired on Ebay '77 Coup DeViille, complete with a broken passenger seatbelt, and illegal license plates. Staying up late and playing guitar, singing songs and bonding over shared miseries and experiences. Sharing meals and talks about the future. There was even talk of a memoir, something Prine had been uninterested in, until he meet a collaborator he could trust. Through good times and health problems these two remained friends, until COVID in 2020 took Prine away.

A book about music, life, love, cars, hot dogs and friendship. While I liked the discussions on everything else, it was the friendship that spoke most to me. While music fans lost a musical legend, Piazza lost something more. Which comes quite clear in this book. Piazza is a beautiful writer, knowing just how to set a scene, be it buying shoes with a man he really just met, or playing music at 2 in the morning, swapping guitars and riffs. There is also parts of the memoir the two men were working on, which shows what a great work we have lost. Piazza really captures the man, not in a hagiographic sense, but as a human, with problems and issues, who lived a an interesting life.

The book is sad as one knows how it ends, and all the triumphs for Prine are clouded by the fact that we know the hour and the day that Prine will be leaving the World. However as a celebration of both friendship, life the power of music and just going on it is a real achievement. I did not expect to be so affected by a book like this. As slim as the book is it carries a punch far above its weight class, and has a great narrative. I wish we could have read the story about the Prine's life, the way he would want us to know it. However this glimpse is a gift, and we should all cherish it. I will have to seek out more by Tom Piazza.

[Kate1123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for the ARC of Living in the Present with John Prine by Tom Piazza.

The following synopsis has been taken and condensed directly from the Publisher’s description:
In the spring of 2018, Tom Piazza climbed into a 1977 Coupe de Ville with the great singer-songwriter John Prine to write an article for the Oxford American. Their Florida road trip ignited a deep friendship[.] Prine invited Piazza to work with him on a memoir. When Prine died suddenly of COVID in April 2020, that unfinished memoir evolved into an intimate and very personal narrative of the artist's final years.

First, the narrator, John Pruden, has a lovely voice and felt reminiscent of the narration done by Robert Redford in the film A River Runs Through It. While he doesn’t necessarily sound like Redford, I couldn’t help but feel constantly reminded of the film. I’m not educated enough on all things audio to speak to why that is (timbre, pitch, tone, etc.—I’m not to say), but nevertheless, this was a unique and delightful addition to an already enjoyable book. I think it would draw in any listener, even if they weren’t initially interested in the title, but especially music fans.

While I’m a fan of Prine, I knew little about him other than his manner of death, his body of work, and that my brother had contributed to the artwork on his 2007 album Standard Songs for Ordinary People (cool, I know). Prine’s lyricism certainly created an image or expectation of who he may have been and I was delighted to learn he was every bit as real, authentic, and genuine as I had hoped. Celebrity memoirs and celebrity encounters are a dime a dozen, but this goes beyond the normal tell-all and is clearly not an attempt by the author to cash in on his brief (but meaningful) friendship with Prine, nor is it an attempt to make good on the memoir he was set to pen with Prine. Instead, it takes on a new meaning—a man telling us about his friend, of times with his buddy, and all the incredibly cool things his friend had done in his life. It is earnest and you can quickly tell that the author found a true friend in Prine, while simultaneously conveying that any number of us, had we also been gifted with the opportunity to rub elbows with Prine, likely would have similarly found a friend as well. A kind man, prone to reflection on his own behaviors and experiences, generous in his assumptions of his fellow man, sentimental, and poetic - this read like a love letter to a friendship and an honorific rehashing of the stories Prine shared.

I really loved this book. I would encourage anyone to pause when reading and listen to the songs referenced (even at times listening to the same song/different versions). It was a delight to discover cover works I was unfamiliar with and new artists that John loved and championed through the years. Highly recommend.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Living in the Present with John Prine is a beautifully written, moving, and worthwhile memoir by Tom Piazza recounting some of his friendship with the artist/icon. Released 9th Sept 2025 by W.W. Norton, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

John Prine was never a rock star. He was solid, present, honest, unvarnished, with a middle class blue-collar appeal that was never fake or superficial. He did what he did and did it so well for so many years. His music was (is) universal, funny sometimes, ironic, solid. Music people could fix their cars to, or perform brain surgery (a colleague has it on his surgical theater playlist along with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chopin, and a few others). We all thought he'd be there forever, until he just wasn't.

Author Tom Piazza is a writer/journalist who encountered Prine as the subject of an article, and who became a friend in the last years of his life. This book is much less about Prine's early life and the minutiae of his biography, and includes much more life philosophy, day to day humor and some frustration, challenges, and so so many vignettes from his vast lived experience in the music industry for more than 5 decades. The stories are the meat and bread of this moving work.

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 4 hours 44 minutes and is superbly read by John Pruden. He has a gravelly natural baritone, Midwest American accent, and is so perfectly suited to the subject that it's often sublime; unvarnished and honest, and quite moving. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Prine's surviving family were involved with the writing and interview processes, and his widow wrote the foreword.

Five stars. Well written and engaging. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, and gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Ross Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But somewhere in there while I wasn’t looking I had crossed a line. People only a few years older than myself had started disappearing with unsettling frequency. Mortality was suddenly the wallpaper in the room.” - Page 14

“There’s life, and there’s death; there’s not mi h in between. You fall in love, you’re trapped inside these bodies, the clock goes around, and before you know it - it’s time to go.” - Page 34

“Performers who had helped to shape contemporary music culture were sliding into the frailties beyond middle age. Mortality might have been the wallpaper in the room, but aging was the furniture you had to maneuver around.” - Page 53

“When I think back, it’s no wonder I’d become a songwriter. I saw everything as being connected. Movies, dreams, imagination… It was all one thing. It was one circus tent it took me a long time to find out it wasn’t that way with other people. They went to the circus - once.” - Page 104

“But deep friendship and love aren’t measured in linear time. If you are lucky enough to have had it, then you know. People can spend their entire lives together and never experience it. It’s sad but true.” - Page 146

“Sooner or later you are left with the question of where to put the ashes, what to write on the headstone, literal or figurative, how to properly memorialize a life. And how to walk away without turning your back.” - Page 147

“Time goes by. Time passes slowly, time passes quickly. Maybe time stands still and we are what passes.” - Page 149

“He was unflappable; he didn’t get ruffled for no reason. I feel like one of the things I learned from him is you have all these opportunities to just be nice. He was so easygoing, and I felt like he almost always gave people the benefit of the doubt.” - Page 153

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Prine was an American country/folk singer-songwriter who has been around since the early 1970s. I've been a fan of John Prine for over 40 years. I've seen him many times in concert and was happy I attended his last concert here in Toronto (The Tree of Forgiveness tour). I think his death during COVID probably hit me the hardest of all the celebs who had passed away during that time.

Tom Piazza spent time with Prine at home and on the road with the intent of writing an article about him before Prine asked him to work on a memoir about him. They ended up enjoying a two year friendship before he passed away. Piazza shared moments that showed Prine's sense of humor, his love for the simple things and the way he saw the world a little differently than most. Even after surviving cancer, Prine didn’t dwell on the past or future ... he was all about appreciating what was right in front of him (especially food and dessert!). Prine's songs were simple but packed with emotion, real life, heart and a touch of wry humor.

I enjoyed this book. Prine sounds like a fun guy to hang out with. I like that there were actual interviews with Prine transcribed so we got to know Prine in his own words and his sense of humour. In addition to spending time with Prine, Piazza also spent time with his family including Prine's wife, Fiona, his sons and his late older brother, Dave. It was nice to see the intimate pictures of Prine as a regular guy. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2025/07...

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

We lost a number of great recording artists to Covid—Charley Pride, Joe Diffie, K.T. Oslin, among too many—but the loss of John Prine at age 73 in 2020 particularly stung. He had, amazingly, survived surgeries for cancer in his neck and lungs. But he had continued to perform and record, so the sudden death came as a shock. Writer Tom Piazza wears many hats—screenwriter, novelist (the excellent The Auburn Conference), and music journalist. In that last role Piazza had made a good impression for an article on Prine for the magazine Oxford American. Prine and his wife then approached Piazza about working on a biography with Prine. “Living in the Present with John Prine” covers those two years of initial interviews cut short by Prine’s passing. The saying is “never meet your heroes” since their true selves are likely to never live up to your image of them, but Prine comes off as an exception. Piazza describes Prine as warm, funny, smart—a great companion for travelling and hanging out. It helps that Piazza is an amateur guitarist with an encyclopedic knowledge of songs and recording artists that Prine shared. The few recorded sessions for the proposed book are provided verbatim, and they provide a wealth of information about Prine’s family upbringing and the breaks that led to his recording his now legendary first album. Readers will leave wanting more, of course, but what remains of those last two years with John Prine will satisfy and reaffirm the loyalty of his long-term fans. Recommended.

[Jayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Memories, they can’t be boughten. They can’t be won at carnivals for free. Well, it took me years to get those souvenirs, and I don’t know how they slipped away from me.” - John Prine, Souvenirs.

“You ever heard of this guy, John Prine?” my dad asked me one day. I had not until my dad hit play on a track titled “Souvenirs.” The haunting lyrics immediately grabbed me. I instantly became a fan.

All these years later, as a fellow musician, I never miss a chance to sing “Angel from Montgomery” to anyone who will listen.

I believe John Prine was one of the most gifted writers of our time. If you’ve never listened to him, I encourage you to do so. (My personal favorite is “Souvenirs”.) His style appears simple on the surface, but pack a heavy punch. His lyrics are filled with such emotional depth and resonance. His songs make you reflect, smile, laugh, and cry (sometimes all of these in the same song).

Living in the Present with John Prine is a must-read for any Prine fan. I feel that Piazza’s writing style truly captures Prine’s essence. Living in the Present isn’t a detached celebrity biography, it is a conversation between friends. Reading along, I felt as though I were in the same room, listening to an old friend share stories. I’m thankful to John Prine for a lifetime of music and to Tom Piazza for providing readers a glimpse into Prine’s life.

Thank you High Bridge Audio and Net Galley for an advanced copy.

[Gabrielle C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book; in fact, it’s one of the best little books I’ve ever read. Nearly every page evoked an emotional response that has left me thoughtfully pondering what, exactly, drove this deeply pleasurable rollercoaster ride.

I’ve been exposed to John Prine’s music my whole life, but mostly in a detached way where songs drifted in like a cloud passing by. It wasn’t until a friend suggested I learn to play and sing “Angel from Montgomery” that I reluctantly dipped my toes into John’s stream of consciousness. That’s when I realized there was something much bigger going on beneath the plainspoken lyrics and easy melodies…I felt it when I sang it.

Tom Piazza has a way of connecting the reader so that you don’t just learn about John Prine, you feel like you’re right alongside him. Piazza captures John’s humor and humility without sanctimonious piety. The result is a portrait that feels honest, intimate, and strangely familiar, as if you’re remembering someone you knew rather than reading about a “famous person.”

This is a short book, but it lingers. It made me hear the songs differently; it made me want to pick up my guitar, to pay closer attention to the everyday moments that might be trying to turn themselves into songs- Lord knows there’s plenty to draw from!

Whether you’ve always loved John Prine and think you know it all, or whether you’re new to his work, this book is for everyone.

[NY Sled · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the start of the memoir of John Prine's life that will never be finished. Prine met the author Tom Piazza (creator and writer of the HBO series Treme) late in John's life and Prine asked Tom to help Prine write his memoir, but COVID intervened.

The book has about fifty pages of John talking about his youth and the start of his career. There are two longer interviews with one of the first members of John's band (guitarist Jason Wilbur) and John's older brother, Dave Prine, who taught John to love and play music and with whom he shared a broad love of music. The wit and wisdom and empathy of John Prine shines throughout all of this. Me, I think John Prine is a true American treasure, and it comes through here. Wilbur talks at length about Prine's emotional intelligence. There are lot's of humorous tales of Bob Dylan (the first time they met), road life and songwriting (with, among others, Phil Spector).

Piazza is the perfect foil and conduit for Prine. Piazza plays guitar (great stories about a few jam sessions between them) and writes about music. He's a thoughtful guy and detailed observer.

The only minus is the book is about 1,000 pages too short. We needed more.

[Dan Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1974, one of my music guides, John Donovan, came to visit. He brought his wife, Mary. We went to the Philadelphia Folk Festival. There were several people he especially wanted to see, three of whom were unknown to me.
That was when John Prime entered my life. And later, The Skoolkil Express started playing down the street at The Wheel Pump. The best local group ever to cross my path, partly because, in addition to hard Bluegrass, they played John Prine songs.
The thing here is, Mr. Piazza tossed lines from Prine songs into his text, and right away the music started to play in my head. John Prine songs are special, even after 50 years.

Tin Pan Alley and Broadway gave us many eminent songwriters. We have had Tom T. Hall, and Willie Nelson, Lennon & McCarty, others. For a career worth of emotionally trenchant songs, it is Prine. He is the one I want my grandchildren to know. Indeed, everyone should know Donald and Lydia, Sam Stone, the Angel From Montgomery, The Tree of Forgiveness. We would be generally better off if we all listened.

Thank you, Mr. Piazza, for giving us these few moments with the top dog.

Highly Recommended

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a hard cover edition of Living in the present with John Prine from a goodreads giveaway. The only thing I knew about John Prine before reading the book is that he was a musician. I had no idea of any of the songs her wrote or anything else about him.

This is not a traditional biography or is it any autobiography anyway it does not start out at John Prine's birth and proceed Linearly to his death. Its more like some details from different periods of John Prine's life.

One of my favorite parts of the book was when the author talks with John Prine's guitarist. I don't remember what the guitarists name is. And the author also talks with John's brother Dave who tought John how to play music. I also like that. And there is also a story in the book about how John met Bob Dillon at a party.

So even though its not an exhaustive biography I still did learn some interesting things about John Prine. So I thought the book was Ok.

[Bob Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Prine: A Regular, Everyday, Blue Collar, Word-smithing Gift From The Mystic

As songwriters go, John Prine was on his own higher plain. A former mailman with a gravel voice and three chord guitar style, he wrote hundreds of songs that made listeners laugh, think, ponder and cry - sometime all in the same verse.
And by all accounts he was the anti-star - preferring hot dogs and Dairy Queen to pretentious places, though he appreciated a great meal, just not a snooty one. And apparently he also treated stars of the music business and people at a bus stop exactly the same way.
This short, interesting book gives readers a taste of Prine’s magic but he died of Covid before his story could be fully completed. But this does capture the essential Prine. If you want more, what you’re looking for can probably be found in his songs. This book and those songs make me wish I could spent one beer with the man. If you read this book, you may find yourself feeling that way too.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Prine fans need to drop everything and pick up this book! I grew up listening to Prine’s music on late summer evenings while my dad grilled in the backyard. For decades his songs have felt like coming home and this book fits right in with the nostalgia of this incomparable singer/songwriter. Prine is known for his storytelling and this short memoir/biography showcases that. Infused with the grounded feel of unembellished middle America, this book is a treasured drive with a good friend. Author Tom Piazza befriends Prine in the final years of the artist’s life and recounts their time together. The book is honest, authentic and good for the soul. This book appropriately honors Prine and his work, and it will make you want to put on his albums, close your eyes and get lost in listening. I was lucky to get a copy of the audiobook from NetGalley.