Beech Tree News Network

Join us as we celebrate the birthday of the award-winning musician who penned “Paradise”

Muhlenberg County, Ky. – Make plans to “travel down to Western Kentucky” as a “Prine Park Birthday Bash” is held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., at John Prine Memorial Park at Rochester Dam in celebration of the songwriter’s birthday and John Prine Month in Muhlenberg County.

The event will feature an open mic song session, birthday goodies, giveaways, food trucks, and general fellowship in the memory of the life and music of Prine. The event will have an informal appeal, just as John would have appreciated.

Prine was born Oct. 10, 1946, in Maywood, Ill., to William and Verna Prine, his parents native to Muhlenberg County. His internationally-known 1970 song “Paradise” was written for his father about the small town on the banks of the Green River. It is not only a love letter to the people of Western Kentucky, but also speaks of Prine’s perceived ills of the effects of surface coal mining on people and landscapes.

Prine was a frequent visitor to the village until its demise to “the progress of man,” and continued to visit Muhlenberg County until shortly before his death.

Following Prine’s death on April 7, 2020, fans began to make the pilgrimage to Rochester Dam to leave memorials to the singer, hearkening to his lyrics, “When I die let my ashes float down the Green River/Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester Dam.” Prine’s ashes were later spread into the river by his family from below the Rochester Dam.

John Prine Memorial Park at Rochester Dam was dedicated on Oct. 1, 2022.

On the day of the event, there will be limited parking on-site, though parking and shuttle services will be provided from the Rochester Ballpark in Butler County, located at 636 Russellville Street, Rochester, Ky., 42273. While seating will be provided, visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs in the event of overflow. Parking will be available at the park for those who are disabled.

For additional information, contact Karen Harper Lain 270.993.8542 or C. Josh Givens at 270.543.2405.