John Prine wrote the song “Hello In There” while walking his mail route in Maywood, IL. He was not yet 22 years old but he had the compassion and kindness even then to understand that sometimes just a simple “Hello,” or a random act of kindness can make a difference.
John’s family created the Hello In There Foundation to honor his legacy, generosity of spirit, and commitment to community.
Since 2021, the foundation has given away $1.4 million to 100+ organizations, continuing his lifelong commitment to supporting marginalized communities through grants addressing food security, housing, mental health, addiction recovery, and the arts.
This Giving Tuesday, join us in carrying forward John’s spirit of compassion. Link in bio, or visit HITF.org, to learn more and get involved.
With gratitude,
The Prine Family
We wanted to take a moment to re-introduce ourselves for all of our new followers!
The empathy John showed for those around him, and those forgotten by society, is what we hope to embody through our work.
You can learn more or contribute to our cause at the link in our bio.
Photo Credit: Jim McGuire
The 5th anniversary of John’s passing is today.
Five years is a long time by some measure, but when you miss a loved one the way I miss John, time becomes kind of meaningless. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him AND the families of more than a million Americans who died, like John, in that first brutal wave of Covid.
While I have so very much to be grateful for, I can say that these last five years have been difficult, but my lovely family is a constant source of comfort and joy. Since 2020, we have celebrated one wedding (Tommy and Savannah), and are looking forward to another (Jack and Hannah), AND the arrival of a new grandchild later this year.
Jody still oversees our growing roster at Oh Boy Records. I am currently working on an exciting project that I know you will LOVE. More on that soon…
In addition to the privilege of working to preserve and expand John’s legacy, there is one abiding passion that has propelled me to put one foot in front of the other, even on the hard days. I am so proud of the work we have done - with your incredible support - at the Hello in There Foundation. As we begin our fourth year, it feels like we have planted strong roots and are growing steadily every season. At the end of 2024, we reached a milestone of one million dollars in grantmaking to 71 community-based groups all over the United States.
Which brings me to a special announcement! You Got Gold 2025 will happen October 9 - 12, once again in Nashville. If you haven’t already signed up for the foundation’s mailing list, please do so at the link in bio, and be on the lookout for a special email with all the details you need!
Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, kindness, messages and especially for supporting the work of Hello In There. Getting the opportunity to spread love, kindness and generosity truly does keep John’s memory and spirit alive.
🎟️‼️ Tickets for Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine at the @chicagotheatre go on sale this morning at 10 AM Central. Due to overwhelming demand in our pre-sale, there are a limited number of tickets remaining. If you’re hoping to grab a seat at the show, get your clicking finger ready! Link in bio.
All proceeds from this concert benefit grantmaking in honor of our beloved @john_prine 💛💛
This October, we come together to celebrate 80 years of John Prine. 🎂
John built community everywhere he went, whether it was onstage, backstage, on street corners or in living rooms. On October 8th at The Chicago Theatre, Souvenirs: 80 Years of John Prine honors that legacy with an extraordinary lineup of artists performing their favorite Prine songs, backed by his band.
In addition to The Chicago Theatre, we’ll have a host of other events to celebrate John that weekend as we mark 80 years of his ever present spirit and influence. So, mark your calendars for October 8th - 11th!
Proceeds support the Hello in There Foundation’s (@sayhellointhere ) grantmaking in John’s memory, which has given nearly $1.4 million to more than 100 organizations and counting.
Concert tickets go on sale this Friday! Click the link in bio for more information.
Be sure you’re on our mailing list to receive the most up-to-date info.
#johnprine #chicago #liveshow
DC friends — this one’s for you. 🎶
“How Lucky Can One Man Get,” a 2010 concert documentary starring our beloved @john_prine screens at AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD on Sunday, June 7. It’s one of only a handful of screenings happening across the country.
If you’re heading to the @wolf_trap tribute on June 9, come gather with fellow Prine fans two nights before and witness this film together.
@fprine hosts a VIP reception and meet-and-greet at 4:30 PM, with the screening at 6 PM. Tickets start at $25, with all proceeds benefiting the Hello in There Foundation and grantmaking in John’s memory.
Link in bio!
Win a trip to “Songwriters Celebrate John Prine” with @emmylouharrisofficial , @missmargoprice , @pattygmusic and more + a signed and show-played @martinguitar !
Donate to support @sayhellointhere and help honor John Prine’s memory through giving back for your chance to win.
The prize includes flights and a 3-night hotel stay, plus two tickets to the June 9 “Songwriters Celebrate John Prine” show at Wolf Trap with pre-show rehearsal access, and a show-played commemorative Martin guitar for America’s 250 signed by the performing artists.
You’ll also attend the June 7 screening of “How Lucky Can One Man Get,” with access to a pre-film VIP reception hosted by @fprine , rounding out a trip celebrating John Prine’s music and legacy.
Donate now for your chance to win at: fandiem.com/johnprine
Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, and Safety Harbor, we had a wonderful time with you last weekend!
From two afternoons of neighbors gathering around John’s songs at @thenorthendtaphouse and @crookedthumbbrew , to the sold out weekend of film screenings at @thebeachtheatre and Fiona’s interview on Words & Music with @wmnf885 (our wonderful media sponsor), this visit gave us much joy!
We had the chance to meet and talk with so many of you who are keeping John’s legacy alive in ways that are tender and real, and it moved us deeply.
Thanks to the efforts of community volunteers and our wonderful audiences, we’re happy to announce that we raised nearly $25,000! It takes a crew of dedicated folks to help make this happen. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts 💛
Funds will stay local, with grants going to area nonprofits, and we’ll announce grantees in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 🌻🎶
We are thrilled and grateful to announce that Ayappa Biddanda has joined the Hello in There Foundation’s Board of Directors!
Ayappa Biddanda was at Concord for 22 years working with world class Artists across Street Teams, Tour Marketing, Promotion, and Brand Partnerships. Ayappa is now the award-winning Founder/C.E.O. of Shiva Sounds, providing Marketing & Artist Development services for musicians, management teams, record labels, cultural organizations, festivals, and creatives. He graduated from The University of Tennessee with degrees in American Studies and in Political Science and earned his Master’s of Public Policy from UCLA with a concentration in Art & Social Action. In addition to his service as board member for the Hello in There Foundation, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for Folk Alliance International, on the Advocacy Committee for The Recording Academy Nashville chapter, and on the President’s Leadership Council for the Salt Lick Incubator. He is an active member of the National Museum of African American Music, Americana Music Association, and Country Music Association. He adores his wife, daughter, and son (in chronological order). His favorite band is Counting Crows.
On joining the board, Ayappa writes, “I have been a fan of John Prine’s songwriting since I heard ‘Angel From Montgomery’ in college. I’ve been a fan of Fiona & The Hello In There Foundation since they launched. Witnessing the ways they’ve supported more than 100 organizations spanning rural healthcare to disaster relief to stable housing and much more in memory of one of our greatest Artists has continually inspired me. The work of this Foundation mirrors the purpose of Art at its core: to build Community. I am honored to be invited to be part of this Team alongside souls I respect immensely in service of the mission to support those who are marginalized, discriminated against, or, for any reason, are otherwise forgotten.”
Welcome, Ayappa!
We’re excited to be in Gulfport and St. Pete, Florida, this weekend for the community’s annual tributes to John Prine. Come by and see us, chat about the foundation, buy your new favorite “Hello in There” hat, and hear some wonderful tunes! We’re also excited for the Beach Theatre’s screenings of HOW LUCKY CAN ONE MAN GET (which are all currently sold out - but you can email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist for tickets). Proceeds from these events will benefit grantmaking in John’s memory.
Here’s the schedule:
4/10 - Beach Theatre’s screening of HOW LUCKY CAN ONE MAN GET, with Fiona Prine, St. Pete (sold out)
4/11 - North End Tap House, Gulfport (12 - 4 PM; free)
4/12 - Crooked Thumb Brewery, Safety Harbor (2 - 5 PM; tickets at crookedthumbbrew.com)
So much gratitude to the folks who dedicate lots of time, effort, and love to making these events happen!
See you soon, Florida! ☀️
Today marks six years since we lost John, who would have turned 80 this year. We no doubt would have gathered as a family (including five grandchildren!) to celebrate with his favorite cake.
John spent his life writing about mail carriers and veterans, lonely elders and small towns, about the quiet beauty of people showing up for each other with humor and grace. In a time when so much feels uncertain, the empathy and steadiness in his music remains a familiar comfort and a reminder that the things that matter most are close to home.
That belief is at the heart of the Hello in There Foundation, and thanks to this remarkable community, we’ve granted nearly $1.4 million to more than 100 organizations doing the kind of work John believed in deeply: feeding people, building stable housing, supporting recovery, and showing up after disasters with real, immediate help.
John once said that he tried to look at the world through someone else’s eyes. His gentle curiosity about others, and his commitment to telling their stories with compassion, humor, and care, is something we carry with us in our work every day. We’re proud to do this in his name and grateful for the people who love John, and his music, helping us keep this work going.
We have a beautiful year of celebrations planned to honor his life, his music, and what would have been his 80th birthday, and we look forward to sharing more with you very soon.
With lots of love,
Fiona and Family
