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Sturgill Simpson & John Prine’s Friendship Began Over Meatloaf: “Anytime I’d Come To Town We’d Go Grab Lunch”
More friendships need to be forged this way.
I wish we had more of John Prine and Sturgill Simpson's friendship before Prine passed. Like many other musicians, Sturgill Simpson had always admired the legendary singer and songwriter. But while many artists never meet their heroes, Sturgill Simpson was lucky enough to become very good friends with his.
In 2016, Sturgill was recording A Sailor's Guide to Earth at the Butcher Shoppe recording studio. At the time, the studio was co-owned by David Ferguson and John Prine. One day, while Simpson was mixing the record, Prine walked in to observe.
"I was in there mixing it (the record) one day, and I was in there head down at the board. I guess I took a break and hit the space bar, and when I turned around, John was sitting in a chair in these plaid pants, just kind of looking. I had no idea how long he'd been sitting there.
I hit vapor lock. I kind of freaked out — you're face-to-face with your hero."
Sturgill told Steven Colbert in a 2020 interview.
Prine promptly asked Sturgill to join him for meatloaf. Prine was a big fan of meatloaf, especially from Nashville's Arnold's Kitchen. The meat and three-style restaurant was always in rotation for Prine, and his longtime writing collaborator Pat McLaughlin and Prine would usually plan their writing days around when the restaurant did their meatloaf.
During Prine's Tiny Desk Concert, Prine detailed their routine.
"We usually write on Tuesdays in Nashville, because that’s the day they make meatloaf. And I love meatloaf. So it’s kind of our carrot on the end of the stick. We get together early in the morning, try to write a song before they start serving the meatloaf. Then, after lunch, we come back and record the song."
Prine often took his friends and folks he wanted to get to know out for meatloaf, and while this might not have been a "special" treat for Prine, the meal he shared with Stu led to an amazing friendship. In the years to come, Prine became a mentor to Simpson, and the two even performed at the Grammy Museum together later in 2016.
"He was a mentor and very giving with his time and wisdom. We're all grateful to get to know him."
Prine and Sturgill's friendship was very special. When Prine passed in 2020, his estate left something very special to Stu. His Porsche 911 Turbo. During the 2020 interview with Colbert, the late-night host was shocked to learn that Prine owned such a car. Simpson responded that Prine had a deep love for cars.
“Oh, he’s a total car guy. He had a bunch of old Cadillacs. The 911 was his bucket list dream car. It’s only got about 20,000 miles on it. It’s showroom.
I like music and cars that go real fast. But I have three children, and I feel like I just had a fourth with the responsibility that comes with this thing. It’s bittersweet, but it will be something I treasure the rest of my life.”
While Prine's 911 Turbo might not be getting much use these days as it's not the most practical "dad car," the fact that Prine left such a treasure to Stu shows their mutual respect for each other.
This has to be one of the most wholesome starts to a friendship. God bless John Prine and his legacy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjiRNe27OKc&pp=ygUYc3R1cmdpbGwgc2ltcHNvbiBjb2xiZXJ0
While you're here, check out some footage of Prine and Simpson warming up to perform “The Speed of The Sound of Loneliness” at the Grammy Museum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYgLHc-WgYI&t=25s
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