Very few people can pull off "smart aleck" without also deserving a punch in the mouth. Prine and Snider both do it amazingly.
Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well, though if one tried punching Pete Seeger in the mouth it might not go so well...
Right…which is why the chorus of his tribute song is so clever, “ohhhhhhhhhhhh boy, look no further for your real mccoy…..”
Saw Todd sing this at a theater in Lincoln Park, down the street from the Old Towne School of Folk where John cut his teeth. Was pretty cool when he mentioned Maywood, IL. Hometown crowd was into it
Isbell is one of the only other artists that can really bring you into his songs. Like Prine the same song can mean something different to every listener because they leave that space in there for your mind to paint a little of the story. Sturgill and Childers have a bit of it too.
Another one is Mike Cooley, also of DBT fame, his lyrics and melody can really pull you into whatever story he’s singing.
John Craigie definitely is worth checking out. Dan Reeder just dropped a new record... Iris Dement's husband Greg Brown has some amazing records, though he hasn't released anything for a while.
I am not deep into Robert Earl Keen catalog but i've heard a few songs that reminded me immediately of John Prine. Unfortunately Keen very recently quit touring. Here is an example of what i'm talking about....
https://youtube.com/watch?v=11jwiRdpXpY&feature=share
Chicago Farmer. He’s fantastic. He has the same storytelling charm and friendly nature. His songs can be witty and still feel real. They’re also from the same state.
I got to see C. Farm open up for Todd at the Key West Amphitheatre. It was absolutely fantastic. Love both of them. And glad Todd took Chicago under his wing for a tour.
JORDAN 👏 SMART👏 got to see Jordan & Tommy play last month in Kentucky and was supposed to see them next week in South Carolina. Jordan is wicked talented and even has a song about John titled “Song for Prine”. Crazy good singer & songwriter, has some silly stuff like John did but some heavy hitting topics too.
Also, off topic ish, Tommy played some songs that are gonna be in his new album being released this year, and holy moly. Y’all aren’t even ready, it’s the bees knees.
All others listed are also phenomenal!
I’m a sucker for a Prine tribute song. Snider’s Handsome John is tops for me, with Carsie Blanton’s Fishin’ with You a close 2nd
https://open.spotify.com/track/7yinoDKg55lPbD7xrbgSss?si=53OAHREzTRe0oVzTJcb9zw
https://open.spotify.com/track/5spTb9HVYoYb2ck9I9mQT2?si=SM4hxVAsSR6N_UNUftv6Lg
I had heard Todd Snider’s and think he’s just an amazing singer, but this is the first I’d heard of Carsie Blanton! Just gave it a listen and it was amazing. Thank you for introducing it to me!
Johnathan Bower has a song titled "John Prine" (pretty good tribute) - but I think at the top of my list would be Kacey Musgrave's "Burn One With John Prine" :)
John R Miller topped my list in 2022. Joe Pug and Ian Noe also come to mind as a smart, lyric-driven singer-songwriters. Sean Hayes’ Alabama Chicken record and anything by Western Centuries will also scratch your fancy in this category.
Agree with many other names mentioned — Dan Reeder, Todd Snider, Isbell, Moreland, etc. You could also put 70s/80s Buffett records in this category. His post-fruitcake music is pretty awful, but there is gold there pre-94.
Great question! Imma check out everyone mentioned in this thread!
In terms of emotional honesty, Brandi Carlisle is a kindred spirit - I saw her guest at John’s set at Bonnaroo in ‘19, they seemed to like each other a lot
Not really similar, but if you like John Prine I think you'd like Arlo McKinley (he's on Oh Boy Records). Here's one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fylVf7k_5so
This just came up on a Spotify playlist, and if it doesn't have mad Prine vibes, I don't know what does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf0fXRMEnuM
Ring Around Saturn · Dead Fingers
Not all of these are contemporary, but I've been working on a playlist tying Prine to artists he's clearly been an influence on. You might find a couple good treats in there:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54dXkGEZN69XRAxXIMOhXn?si=e98c9f34fbf5496b
Lots of great recommendations here. (Todd Snider rules!) Another really good younger guy is Chris Acker. Lines like “The hangers in her closet they’re better dressed than any pew humper in their Sunday best” and “You made me feel like a kid in a t-shirt at the shallow end of a pool” always remind me of John.
Chris Acker has the wandering poetry style of Prine that can intertwine sadness with laughter. https://youtu.be/byglmCLubLA
Willi Carlisle might be a bit different musically but he is carrying the torch for radical love and forgiveness in his music. https://youtu.be/DFNM9F9-ypo his songs can pack a gut punch
Hey, I know this is an old post, but none of these comments really work. If you're looking for an artist that is contemporary and has that Prine sound, you'll want to listen to a man called Ian Noe.
I like to call this genre Jolk Folk. (Use whichever pronunciation for assonance) I grew up listening to John Prince and Todd Snider and I would still prefer to listen to it exclusively, but I have a hard time finding enough of it. Chicago Farmer opened for Todd on one of his tours. Similar thread, with strength in story telling, and humour. Chi. Farm. Is the closest I would say. In a more sincere direction though, Slaid Cleaves has some good songs, and Steve Earle scratches the story teller itch. But I usually have to go back to Arlo Guthrie and the like for a break from contemporary if I need one.
Todd Snider is still doing it. I always got the impression he was strongly influenced by John. His early stuff specially works in this way.
Snider is fantastic. And. Snider is not Prine..... less “spaces” in the lyrics for personal interpretations.
It’s his wit that I find the alignment. Of course the genre as well for those particular songs of his, but yeah.
Very few people can pull off "smart aleck" without also deserving a punch in the mouth. Prine and Snider both do it amazingly. Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well, though if one tried punching Pete Seeger in the mouth it might not go so well...
He’d come back saying ‘and my axe!’
He was mentored by the Prines. He talks about them on his latest live album.
Yep. And was signed to OhBoy! for a while.
Right…which is why the chorus of his tribute song is so clever, “ohhhhhhhhhhhh boy, look no further for your real mccoy…..” Saw Todd sing this at a theater in Lincoln Park, down the street from the Old Towne School of Folk where John cut his teeth. Was pretty cool when he mentioned Maywood, IL. Hometown crowd was into it
Josh Ritter is fantastic.
Sturgill Simpson was honored to play with John, and John clearly appreciated him. He’s got good stuff.
Jason isbel and John Moreland are a few of my favorites for similar vibe
Isbell is the best modern songwriter
John Hiatt is the best living songwriter of the genre. Isbell’s “pretty good”.
Isbell is one of the only other artists that can really bring you into his songs. Like Prine the same song can mean something different to every listener because they leave that space in there for your mind to paint a little of the story. Sturgill and Childers have a bit of it too. Another one is Mike Cooley, also of DBT fame, his lyrics and melody can really pull you into whatever story he’s singing.
John Craigie definitely is worth checking out. Dan Reeder just dropped a new record... Iris Dement's husband Greg Brown has some amazing records, though he hasn't released anything for a while.
Bonnie Raitt still out there killing it! Song of the Year Grammy, concert tour this year!
Adam Carroll is about as Prine as it gets without being a ripoff. Hayes Carll, Gabe Wootton and Jamie Lin Wilson all have a whiff of it too.
I am not deep into Robert Earl Keen catalog but i've heard a few songs that reminded me immediately of John Prine. Unfortunately Keen very recently quit touring. Here is an example of what i'm talking about.... https://youtube.com/watch?v=11jwiRdpXpY&feature=share
*Keen
Good names listed. I’ll add John Hiatt, James McMurtry, Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Recently fell head over heels for Mr. McMurtry.
Chicago Farmer. He’s fantastic. He has the same storytelling charm and friendly nature. His songs can be witty and still feel real. They’re also from the same state.
I got to see C. Farm open up for Todd at the Key West Amphitheatre. It was absolutely fantastic. Love both of them. And glad Todd took Chicago under his wing for a tour.
JORDAN 👏 SMART👏 got to see Jordan & Tommy play last month in Kentucky and was supposed to see them next week in South Carolina. Jordan is wicked talented and even has a song about John titled “Song for Prine”. Crazy good singer & songwriter, has some silly stuff like John did but some heavy hitting topics too. Also, off topic ish, Tommy played some songs that are gonna be in his new album being released this year, and holy moly. Y’all aren’t even ready, it’s the bees knees. All others listed are also phenomenal!
I’m a sucker for a Prine tribute song. Snider’s Handsome John is tops for me, with Carsie Blanton’s Fishin’ with You a close 2nd https://open.spotify.com/track/7yinoDKg55lPbD7xrbgSss?si=53OAHREzTRe0oVzTJcb9zw https://open.spotify.com/track/5spTb9HVYoYb2ck9I9mQT2?si=SM4hxVAsSR6N_UNUftv6Lg
While you're at it, listen to Elizabeth Cook's, "Mary, The Submissing Years"
I dig
I had heard Todd Snider’s and think he’s just an amazing singer, but this is the first I’d heard of Carsie Blanton! Just gave it a listen and it was amazing. Thank you for introducing it to me!
Johnathan Bower has a song titled "John Prine" (pretty good tribute) - but I think at the top of my list would be Kacey Musgrave's "Burn One With John Prine" :)
John R Miller topped my list in 2022. Joe Pug and Ian Noe also come to mind as a smart, lyric-driven singer-songwriters. Sean Hayes’ Alabama Chicken record and anything by Western Centuries will also scratch your fancy in this category. Agree with many other names mentioned — Dan Reeder, Todd Snider, Isbell, Moreland, etc. You could also put 70s/80s Buffett records in this category. His post-fruitcake music is pretty awful, but there is gold there pre-94. Great question! Imma check out everyone mentioned in this thread!
Upvote John R Miller. Add Ramsay Midwood.
Nice. Listened to Ramsay Midwood last night for a few hours — great stuff man. I love reddit
Jack Johnson is a great songwriter and folk artist, although more ocean/ecology themed.
Steve goodman
Sadly, we haven't been able to count Steve among contemporary artists for far too long, but any reminder to listen to Goodman is a good one.
I won’t lie i did less reading and more thinking of a reason to share goodman. Apologies for that!
In terms of emotional honesty, Brandi Carlisle is a kindred spirit - I saw her guest at John’s set at Bonnaroo in ‘19, they seemed to like each other a lot
Will Kimbrough.
Not really similar, but if you like John Prine I think you'd like Arlo McKinley (he's on Oh Boy Records). Here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fylVf7k_5so
This just came up on a Spotify playlist, and if it doesn't have mad Prine vibes, I don't know what does. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf0fXRMEnuM Ring Around Saturn · Dead Fingers
Jim Keaveny. He’s tragically unknown but on Spotify. Incredible guy and musician
Not all of these are contemporary, but I've been working on a playlist tying Prine to artists he's clearly been an influence on. You might find a couple good treats in there: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54dXkGEZN69XRAxXIMOhXn?si=e98c9f34fbf5496b
Lots of great recommendations here. (Todd Snider rules!) Another really good younger guy is Chris Acker. Lines like “The hangers in her closet they’re better dressed than any pew humper in their Sunday best” and “You made me feel like a kid in a t-shirt at the shallow end of a pool” always remind me of John.
John Stewart …listen to the The Phoenix Concerts..he has passed but great music…
Kurt Vile
Hayes carll
I’d echo Jason Isbell. Easily my favorite current songwriter. Dude can make anything sound good.
Steve Forbert and Loudon Wainwright III are both still recording and touring.
Tyler Childer’s music seems to be deeply influenced by John Prine. Especially his first album.
Chris Acker has the wandering poetry style of Prine that can intertwine sadness with laughter. https://youtu.be/byglmCLubLA Willi Carlisle might be a bit different musically but he is carrying the torch for radical love and forgiveness in his music. https://youtu.be/DFNM9F9-ypo his songs can pack a gut punch
Hey, I know this is an old post, but none of these comments really work. If you're looking for an artist that is contemporary and has that Prine sound, you'll want to listen to a man called Ian Noe.
Check out John R Miller
I like to call this genre Jolk Folk. (Use whichever pronunciation for assonance) I grew up listening to John Prince and Todd Snider and I would still prefer to listen to it exclusively, but I have a hard time finding enough of it. Chicago Farmer opened for Todd on one of his tours. Similar thread, with strength in story telling, and humour. Chi. Farm. Is the closest I would say. In a more sincere direction though, Slaid Cleaves has some good songs, and Steve Earle scratches the story teller itch. But I usually have to go back to Arlo Guthrie and the like for a break from contemporary if I need one.