Oh Boy Records To Celebrate John Prine With Vinyl Pressings, More

John Prine. Photo: Danny Clinch

Oh Boy Records is releasing new vinyl pressings of two of John Prine classics: Aimless Love (1984), set for release Aug. 26, and German Afternoons (1986), out Sept. 16 for its multi-faceted “The Summer of Oh Boy Records” celebration.

Aimless Love, Prine’s first full-length album via Oh Boy, was completely fan-funded and launched the label, which was founded in 1981 by Prine and his longtime manager Al Bunetta. In celebration of the German Afternoons release, Oh Boy is hosting an event at Nashville’s The Vinyl Lab on Sept. 16, including food, drinks, entertainment and a live pressing of German Afternoons while the party takes place.

Oh Boy Records has also teamed up with Vinyl Brew for a series of special events across the country this summer in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Lexington and more. At each event, a limited amount of vinyl pressings will be available, including German Afternoons on pink swirl vinyl, Aimless Love on yellow swirl and Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows Vol. 2: Songs of John Prine on blue and black swirl.

The indie label has also partnered with Newport Folk Festival in creating the new John Prine Songwriter Fellowship with this year’s inaugural recipient, Leith Ross.

“We created this fellowship in partnership with John’s family to celebrate John’s life and the impact he had on our festival community,” organizers of the Newport Folk Festival share. “Each year, we choose one young songwriter that we feel embodies John’s spirit and provide them with their first slot at the festival. Leith’s intimate, yet relatable songwriting style and clever lyrics remind us of John all while being completely unique.” They continue, “We have also partnered with Almanack Arts to provide Leith with a week-long songwriting retreat on Nantucket this summer. There, Leith will be given the time, resources, and space to hone their craft.”

“The Summer of Oh Boy Records” celebration will culminate with “You Got Gold: Celebrating the Life & Songs of John Prine,” a full week of concerts and events held at various venues in Nashville from Oct. 7-12.