This is a John Prine song that a friend asked me to cover in April of 2020 during the great lockdown and following Prine's passing on April 7th. I'd never heard it before but it resonates really hard with the number of friends I've lost in the past few years to addiction.

It came from his last album, The Tree of Forgiveness which was the eighteenth and final studio album released on April 13, 2018. He co-wrote it with Pat McLaughlin and released a video which you can watch here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0

He dedicated it to Max Berry, the son of former Nashville Mayor Megan Berry, who died of an overdose.

I never knew what depression felt like, until I couldn't get out and be amongst my friends and family. I've seen friends and family battle it, and with that can come a cycle of addiction. Round and round it goes, until something gives. I'm thankful I've never had to battle that kind of addiction, but I've lost some very influential and beloved friends in the last few years and I wish I could have done more for them.

This is the first time I've listened to it since I recorded it. Not sure why I never released it and kept it buried in the archives, but similar to depression and addiction, it's easy to keep things buried, when what they really need is the light of day to be brought ought and dealt with. I've always loved John Prine, and this song has more relevance now than I ever thought it would.

So, if you happen to come across this song, please know there is help and you don't have to suffer alone, whether its depression or addiction or both. There's light at the end of the tunnel.

For Help Call: SAMHSA (Addiction Hotline) - 800-662-4357
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
findtreatment.gov
www.MusiCares.org - Helps those in the music community

#JohnPrine #TreeofForgiveness #SummersEnd