In this wide-ranging conversation, master songwriter John Prine offers unique windows into his classic creations, speaking with journalist Peter Cooper about his rise from Maywood, Illinois, mailman to beloved icon of American music.

During the 2014 interview—the first held at the Museum’s CMA Theater—a nattily attired, 67-year-old Prine talks about how Steve Goodman and Kris Kristofferson changed his life: Goodman by dragging Kristofferson to a closed club where they took chairs from the tables to sit and hear Prine sing, and Kristofferson by insisting those songs deserved a national audience.

John Prine also talks about influences, from Hank Williams to Chuck Berry, and about writing songs (including his classic “Angel From Montgomery”) and quitting his mail route in favor of singing those songs. (“The postmaster told me, ‘Don’t take your retirement money,’ and I said, ‘Why?’” Prine recalls. “He said, ‘’Cause you’ll be back.’”).

Presented in celebration of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibition about John Prine, “It Took Me Years to Get Those Souvenirs” (November 15, 2013, through May 1, 2014).

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