In Spite Of Ourselves – Mike Schaffner Photography

This photo always brings fond memories back for me. They are not for the Chicago theater even though it’s a Chicago cultural icon. They aren’t for what it took to get the shot. Rather, it is about the fond memories for Chicago and John Prine.

Back in November, 2016 my wife and I were in Chicago visiting family. We got together downtown for dinner and then went to see a play. Leaving the theater, I looked up to see the marquee of the iconic Chicago Theater across the street. That’s when I saw on the marquee that John Prine was playing that night. Oh man, I could have gone to see John Prine perform instead of a play I no longer remember.

The Chicago area was my home for 10 years (1972 – 1982) before moving to Texas. I lived in Evanston, a small town bordering the northern edge of Chicago first to attend Northwestern University (Go Cats!) and while I was working (first in Wilmette and then downtown Chicago). I love Chicago! It’s the neighborhoods, it’s the architecture, it’s the food, it’s the “L”, it’s the lakefront, it’s the Cubbies, it’s the the City of Big Shoulders. It’s also John Prine.

I was young and I was in Chicago! It was one of the best periods of my life. During that time there were a lot of young performers working to make a name for themselves. On the folk music scene it included Steve Goodman, Kris Kristofferson (who is from Texas another of my favorite places) and of course John Prine. John started out working as a mailman and writing songs in his head while delivering mail. You can’t get more Chicago than that.

So I didn’t get to see John Prine that night. Now he’s gone; yet another victim of Covid. But I was able to get this photo to remember John and to remember Chicago. It was shot using a Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens at 40mm, 1/50 sec, f/13, ISO 4000. I do remember use a lamp post as a stabilizing aid. If I had planned this shot I would have had my tripod and all my other gear, but you use what you’ve got and I’m glad I got the shot.

I love Texas but at the same time I miss Chicago and I miss John Prine. I miss the vibrancy of Chicago and I miss the sanity John’s songs bring. They can make you laugh and they can make your cry; sometimes both in the same song.

Here are a few of his songs that I especially like. If you’d like, sit back and take a listen.