A night of music, memory and community spirit is set to fill Millwald Theatre on Saturday, April 4, as local musicians and fans gather to celebrate the enduring legacy of John Prine.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the evening will feature a special screening of “You Got Gold,” a documentary concert film honoring Prine, followed by a live tribute performance—and a heartfelt remembrance of beloved local musicians who have passed on.
For emcee and event coordinator Rusty Jones, the event is more than just a concert. It is a deeply personal tribute to a songwriter whose influence spans decades and genres.
“John Prine was one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of an entire generation,” Jones said. “His music has been called folk, country, bluegrass, even rock—but really, it helped define what we now call Americana.”
Since the release of his debut album in 1971, Prine’s work has woven itself into the fabric of American music, known for its wit, emotional depth, and vivid storytelling. For Jones, that connection began in the mid-1970s, when he first picked up a guitar as a teenager. Over the next fifty years, Prine’s songs became a soundtrack to friendships, gatherings, and countless jam sessions.
“When I heard about the documentary film, I immediately thought about how we could bring it to Wytheville,” Jones explained. “But more than that, I wanted to gather the musicians who’ve shared this music over the years and create something special—not just to honor John Prine, but to honor our friends.”
Jones, a founding board member of the Millwald Theatre, worked with Executive Director Donnie Bales to bring the idea to life. With support from his wife Susan, the couple—longtime hosts of musical gatherings at their Creekside Meadows farm—stepped forward to sponsor both the film screening and the live performance.
The evening will also serve as a tribute to four local figures whose lives were intertwined with the region’s music scene: Dennis Reynolds, Thomas Hunter, George Fisher and Fred Starling.
Each name carries its own story.
Reynolds, a gifted guitarist and artist, became a lifelong friend and musical partner to Jones after helping a group of high school students prepare for a performance in 1980.
Hunter, remembered as a “human jukebox,” brought an unmatched knowledge of songs and a generous spirit to every jam session.
Fisher, though not a musician himself, was a constant presence at gatherings, known for his kindness and love of bringing people together.
Starling, a talented harmonica player, shared in the later years of music and friendship at Creekside Meadows before his sudden passing last year.
“These were the kinds of friends you never really get over losing,” Jones reflected. “But the memories—and the music—stay with you.”
Following the film, Jones will take the stage with a rotating group of regional musicians under the banner of the Reed Creek Symphony, named for the waterway that borders his family farm. The ensemble includes Chase Altizer, Alan Ashworth, Danny Bogle, Charles Butt, David Carpenter, Wayne Dunford, Jeremy Hagy, Mary Henslee, Nate Montgomery, Randy Newberry, Ryan Nicholson and Hunter Wilson.
Together, they have spent the past two months rehearsing a set of Prine’s most beloved songs, preparing to deliver a performance that blends reverence with the joy of live collaboration.
The structure of the evening reflects its purpose: the documentary film offers a window into Prine’s artistry and legacy, while the live concert brings that spirit into the room, shared among friends, neighbors, and fellow music lovers.
Organizers hope the event will resonate not only with longtime fans of John Prine, but with anyone who understands the power of music to connect people across time.
“This is really about community,” Jones said. “It’s about remembering the songs we’ve shared, the people we’ve shared them with, and creating one more night where those memories come alive.”
Tickets for the event are available at https://www.themillwald.org/upcomingevents/yougotgold or through the Millwald Theatre box office at 276-284-2958. As anticipation builds, it is certain that, on April 4, the Millwald will be filled not just with music, but with stories, laughter, and the enduring echoes of voices that still matter.
