Those who have read the Diary in its daily format at the start of the initial Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, 2020, or when it became a weekly affair on June 13, 2020, would know how much I love John Prine.
Unlike many of my other favourite singers like Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and Cliff Richard, whom I listened to growing up, I only discovered Prine in the early 2000s.
I played his songs to keep me company while editing copies during the graveyard shift when I was attached to an English daily. At times, his lyrics would inspire some funky sports headlines!
His songs cheered me up during the initial MCO when we had to work from home.
When the Diary transitioned to a weekly column, I featured Prine’s songs once a month. There would always be a tune that matched the theme of the main article.
The American singer-songwriter died from complications related to Covid-19 on April 7, 2020. Although we will not get anymore new songs, he left many beautiful songs that speak to people from all backgrounds.
Since his death, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner has received numerous accolades and tributes. They continue this month.
On Monday, on what would have been his 76th birthday, is his induction into the Music City Walk of Fame. Other inductees include Patsy Cline, Ed Hardy, and Dr Paul Kwami. The new additions will bring Nashville’s walk of fame to 97 sidewalk stars.
Last Saturday, many of his fans travelled to Muhlenberg County for the dedication of the John Prine Memorial Park at Rochester Dam.
County Judge-Executive Curtis McGehee also announced that every October would be John Prine Month in Muhlenberg County.
The county became famous after Prine mentioned it in his song Paradise, which described how strip mining destroyed the tiny coal town on the Green River.
Strip, or opencast mining, is a method to extract ore or coal. It drastically degrades soil fertility, pollutes rivers, and depletes subsurface water supplies.
Landscapes are changed, and roads, houses, and other structures are damaged. Worst of all, wildlife is wiped out.
At most of Prine’s concerts, Paradise was the last song he performed.
Ongoing until Wednesday is an online series of concerts called You Got Gold: Celebrating the life and songs of John Prine.
Tickets for each concert are available via mandolin.com. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Hello in There Foundation that the Prine family established after his death.
Prine’s family has also signed a partnership deal with RadicalMedia to develop two documentaries about the late singer-songwriter.
RadicalMedia said it will include footage from the You Got Gold concerts.
My biggest regret is never seeing him at a concert. I look forward to the documentaries and the tribute show on his birthday.
GOODBYE COVIDNOW, HELLO KKMNOW
The Health Ministry has ‘retired’ its Covidnow website after “100 million views and 0 downtime”.
It has a new website called KKMnow that promises to include data on the “Malaysian healthcare system in general”.
As for the weekly Covid numbers, there were 11,017 new cases, which brought the total to 4,851,896.
The good news is that 12,889 patients beat the coronavirus this week.
Unfortunately, there were 20 fatalities, meaning 36,394 people have died from Covid-19.
Worldwide, there are 626,084,363 cases, and 6,559,360 fatalities.
REGAINING YOUR SENSES AFTER COVID-19
Have you lost your sense of smell after getting Covid-19? Try reading this article to find out how this supertaster regained his.
PICKLEBALL
I came across this video on Twitter on Friday morning. Imagine my surprise to find that there are Malaysians who play this sport.
I hope to document their origin and journey in Malaysia in the coming week.
VIDEO: A stress-relieving sport that's more affordable than tennis and a way to socialize in the pandemic era, pickleball is all the rage in New York, as the sport grows increasingly professionalized nationwide. pic.twitter.com/o2duVsCo25
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 3, 2022
CHOCOLATE PEAR PUDDING
Here is an easy, quick, and comforting recipe from Nigella Lawson. A scoop of ice cream will elevate the dish further.
PARADISE
We end this week’s Diary with Prine’s Paradise.
Until next week, stay safe.
