Coronavirus Condition 'Critical' For Folk Singer John Prine

CHICAGO — The new coronavirus has beloved folk singer John Prine fighting for his life, again.

"This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you," the Prine family posted on Instagram.

Prine's wife and manager, Fiona Whelan Prine, was diagnosed with the new coronavirus on March 18. John Prine suffered a "sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms" and was hospitalized Thursday. He was placed on a ventilator Saturday night and "continues to receive care, bu this situation is critical," the family's Instagram post said.

On Monday, Fiona Whelan Prine, tweeted that she had recovered from coronavirus and that her husband was "stable."

"We are humbled by the outpouring of love for me and John and our precious family," she wrote. "He is [stable]. Please continue to send your amazing Love and prayers. Sing his songs. Stay home and wash hands. John loves you. I love you."

Prine, 73, is a two-time Grammy award winner and two-time cancer survivor, who got musical start in Chicago at 14 when he signed up for guitar lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music.

An Army veteran, Prine went to war, came home to carry a mail bag in suburban Westchester by day. He sang original songs alongside the late Steve Goodman, Fred and Eddie Holstein and Betsey Redhead on tiny stages that supported Chicago's vibrant folkie scene including Earl of Old Town and Fifth Peg, where the late film critic Roger Ebert first wrote about the prolific 23 year-old's profound lyrics.

"Country-folk singers aren't exactly putting rock out of business," Ebert wrote in the Sun-Times on Oct. 9, 1971. "But Prine is good. He appears on stage with such modesty he almost seems to be backing into the spotlight. He sings rather quietly, and his guitar work is good, but he doesn't show off. He starts slow. But after a song or two, even the drunks in the room begin to listen to his lyrics. And then he has you."

It was a turning point for the future Grammy hall of famer, who was awarded the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year.

“I was drawing maybe 14 people,” Prine told the Chicago Sun-Times in 2013. “After the article came out, they turned the house every time I did a show.”

After that, Kris Kristofferson set up Prine with a show in New York City that lead to his first self-titled album of iconic tunes — "Sam Stone," "Angel From Montgomery" and "Paradise," which were later covered by Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt and John Denver, respectfully.

Prine is considered one of America's most influential songwriters, an inspiration to Bob Dylan and Roger Waters of The Who. In his autobiography "Cash," the late Johnny Cash wrote "I don't listen to music much at the farm, unless I'm going into songwriting mode and looking for inspiration. Then I'll put on something by the writers I've admired and used for years--Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Guy Clark, and the late Steve Goodman are my Big Four."

Prine also is beloved by a new breed of musicians including Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Dan Auerbach and Brandi Carlile, who were guests artists on the 2018 Grammy Nominated album "Tree of Forgiveness," Prine's first record of original songs in 13 years.

Jim James of My Morning Jacket, who played on the 2010 tribute album, "Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows: The Songs of John Prine" wished the folk singer well on Instagram with a version of song's tune, "I Guess I Wish You All the Best."