John Prine

The legacies of global music icons The Everly Brothers and John Prine are well-known worldwide. They have deep roots in Muhlenberg County and helped create hope, opportunity, and positive economic impact for a struggling coal county by helping to establish and headline the Everly Brothers Homecoming/Central City Music Festival during its magical run from 1988 to 2002. That event drew tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world to Muhlenberg County and continues to impact the community today positively. Later that evening, a special benefit concert will be held at Lu-Ray Park Amphitheater. The concert will honor The Everly Brothers, John Prine, and all the stars and volunteers who participated in the Central City Music Festival/Everly Brothers Homecoming. The Festival Square Benefit Concert will feature THE JOHN PRINE BAND, with JASON WILBER & DAVE JACQUES, and performances by BILLY PRINE and KELSEY WALDON. Special guests Brian Wiggins & Joe Hudson will open the show. Plus, there may be some surprise guests. Fiona Whelan Prine, John’s wife, said, “John was very proud of his Kentucky roots. He had great admiration for his friends Phil and Don Everly, who are memorialized alongside him in Central City.” Dr. Freddie Mayes, Director of Tourism for Central City, added, “What an amazing way to open Festival Square and celebrate Don, Phil, and John! This will be an extraordinary night. To have The John Prine Band with Jason & Dave as the house band – performing many of John’s most well-known songs and some Everly Bothers tunes. On top of that, to have performances by Billy Prine and Kelsey Waldon in the intimate setting of Lu-Ray Park, where John brought the house down back in 2019 for ‘A Night in Paradise.’ I can’t wait. Tickets start at just $19.50 and go on sale Friday, May 17, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. They can be purchased at LuRayAmp.com or by calling 1 (800) 514-3849. Tickets are available in Reserved Tables of 4 seats, GA1 with seats provided, and GA2 without seats. Guests in GA2 may bring a small folding chair and/or blanket. Gates open at 5:30 pm, and the show will start at 7:00 pm. Mayes continued, “This will be a day and night to remember. If you’re a fan, you’ll want to be in Central City on June 14th to see Festival Square, the statues, and enjoy this fabulous concert.”