Rolling Stone Music Now NN BONUS EPISODE: John Prine's 'Lost Dogs' and Legacy
Oct 10, 2025
Fiona Whelan Prine, John Prine's widow and estate manager, shares heartfelt insights about his life and songwriting. Carlene Carter, a country music icon and Prine's close collaborator, adds personal anecdotes from their time in the studio. They discuss the reissue of Prine's landmark album, *Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings*, highlighting its unique sound and production quirks. The conversation is filled with humor and touching reflections on John’s legacy, his songwriting process, and the ongoing influence he has on the music world.
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Brown's Diner As Prine's Anchor
- Fiona Prine remembers John bringing her to Brown's Diner early in their relationship and bonding over simple meals and jukeboxes.
- The diner stayed a lifelong favorite spot where John often met friends for cheeseburgers and beers.
Experimentation Around The Song
- Lost Dogs leaned into studio experimentation under producer Howie Epstein while still centering Prine's songs.
- The record used new sounds and technology to accentuate lyrics rather than overwhelm them.
Unusual Studio Tricks
- Carlene Carter describes sessions starting with John and his guitar, then layering odd sounds like near-empty dishwashing bottles.
- The team built arrangements around the song's visuals to find unexpected textures that fit the lyrics.