John Prine wrote the song, Hello In There, while walking his mail route in Maywood, IL. He was not yet 22 years old but he had the compassion and kindness even then to understand that sometimes just a simple “Hello,” or a random act of kindness can make a difference. 

John’s family created the Hello In There Foundation to honor his legacy, generosity of spirit, and commitment to community. 

John would have celebrated his 50th Anniversary as a Recording Artist in Fall of 2021. His debut album was released in September 1971 with - the now classics - Hello In There, addressing the issue of elder isolation; Sam Stone, the story of a returned Vietnam veteran, a husband and father who isolated and drug addicted; Paradise, a bluegrass lament about the loss of community and the environmental impact of strip mining; and Donald and Lydia, who are two lonely and emotionally sensitive people who despair at ever finding love and community. 

John went on to write hundreds of songs, many of which spoke about those who are marginalized and often forgotten, like the lonely prisoner in Christmas In Prison (1973 ), the struggle of a young pregnant girl who leaves home alone in Unwed Fathers (1984), or Summer’s End (2018), with a plea to a loved one struggling with addiction to ‘Come on Home.’

These songs show the empathy John felt for people and causes where he saw the greatest and often critical need - unhoused veterans, elders in isolation, those struggling with addiction, the incarcerated, teenage pregnancy, and the shining need for early childhood education. We are committed to following his example by offering compassion and meaningful support to communities and organizations working to make a difference to those in need.