(AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents A Tribute to John Prine with Joe D’Urso & Friends on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:30pm. Artists scheduled to perform include The Ready For Prine Time Players: Gary Solomon, Loren Korevec, Chris Brown, Jake Thistle, Michelle Solomon, David Frye, Tim O'Donohue, and Joe D'Urso.
Joe D'Urso has released 17 records since 1991, the most recent being 2023's Thurman. The latest release features nine original JD songs along with odes by Bob Seger and Trond Svendson. Joe has performed in 30 countries over the years and along with his band Stone Caravan - an Americana, Jersey Shore, Rock & Roll band - they have created a worldwide grassroots network of fans. Joe's catalog of music is released on his own label, SCR/Schoolhouse Records.
“Through the pandemic, I listened to John Prine more than any other songwriter, by far,” says Joe D’Urso. “It was just a kind of optimism and a bright light in a dark time. Even when he’s talking about a horrible situation, there’s still the humor.”
A group billed as Joe D’Urso & Friends — also featuring Loren Korevec, David Frye, Tim O’Donohue, Gary Solomon, Michelle Solomon, Christopher Brown and Jake Thistle, present two show’s a year: one that marks John’s birthday each October and one that marks his passing each April.
Tickets are $32.50 (plus fees) and available for purchase online.
D'Urso remains true to an ideal inspired by the late Harry Chapin: that it is essential to help the less fortunate. He currently sits on the board of directors for The Light of Day Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for Parkinson's disease research. Joe sits on the board of WhyHunger and is a founding member of Artists Against Hunger and Poverty. In his home area of Rockland and Bergen counties (NY/NJ), Joe is a member of the Dan Sullivan Foundation, which raises money for college scholarships and folks who have experienced medical hardships.
Joe is also the founder/owner of the Rockland-Bergen Music Festival (RBMFestival.com) which takes place every June on the borders of New York and New Jersey and is a minority owner of the legendary C.B.G.B.
Prine, whose best known songs include “Angel From Montgomery,” “Hello in There,” “Sam Stone,” “Please Don’t Bury Me,” “Paradise” and “All the Best”, died in 2020, of COVID, would have turned turned 78 on October 10th.
Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel, New Jersey. It is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center located in Avenel, New Jersey. Funded by the Woodbridge Arts Alliance, The APAC promises to energize Avenel and surrounding communities by programming exceptional, professional theatre, music, comedy, dance and more.
