GRAMMYS: John Prine & Why He Wants To Benefit Coal Miners

In an article posted to the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammy Awards, John Prine talked at length about his respect for miners and the importance of supporting miners and their communities. We are very honored and grateful to Mr. John Prine, as he is directing the proceeds from his recent “My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night” vinyl release to ACLC in order to benefit our work related to improving the lives of miners, their families, and their communities.
“This version of ‘Paradise’ rounds out Prine’s new 7” single My Kentucky Home, Goodnight, which arrived on May 11. The A-side is a cover of Stephen Foster’s Civil War-era classic, on the reverse, a new version of ‘Paradise’ with folk/bluegrass artist Tyler Childers. Sales will benefit the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, which provides legal representation to miners and their families.
While ‘Paradise’ is full of warnings about the ruinous effects of mining on small-town America, Prine remains sympathetic to the miners themselves. Not only did they put their bodies on the line, but many have fallen into financial hardship as the coal industry increasingly turns to dust.
‘Those miners were the hardest-working people,’ he tells The Recording Academy. ‘I’ll always respect what they did to provide for their families.’ These two modest recordings connect Prine meaningfully with his past — and help extend a hand to a struggling American region.”
Read the full article here.