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John Prince & a Piece of the Rock

07 Jun 01 - 04:39 AM (#478170)
Subject: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: Jeremiah McCaw

As if there hasn't been enough sad news of late, it has been announced that Ontario-based band "John Prince & A Piece Of The Rock" are disbanding. The following posts were taken from the Maplepost listserve. (Donny Wood is the bass player and manager for the group)

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Subject: DGW John Prince & A Piece Of The Rock
Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 13:09:35 -0400
From: "DGW"

Hi Folks,
It is with great sadness that I must tell you that John Prince & A Piece Of The Rock are no more. After almost 10 years of entertaining loyal fans throughout the eastern part of Canada the boys have decided to disband. This decision takes effect immediately and all previously scheduled engagements have been cancelled.

John, Bruce, Joe and myself, Donny, want to express our sincere appreciation for your support and encouragement over the years. It was a great band. Please remember us fondly.

With your permission, I will retain the Mailing List in order to make you aware of any new musical ventures any of us may get into. If you would prefer not to receive this information please let me know and I'll remove you from the list. Thanks again.

Very best personal regards,
Donny Wood

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Subject: Re: [mplpost] John Prince & A Piece of The Rock
Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 14:13:24 -0400
From: lillianw@interlog.com

This is an incredible and devastating shock! I can hardly believe it and all I can say is that this is such a great pity. John Prince & A Piece of the Rock are my favourite Toronto band; they are the most hard working, together, polished, professional and gifted band with an amazing sound that people truly love. Over the years they have given so much, their whole heart and soul, to their audiences; they have a wonderful rapport with their audiences.

A couple of months ago, I went to hear them at Brass Taps at Dovercourt and College. They were playing there for the very first time to an audience who had never heard them before (except for me and a couple of others). As the evening progressed, I watched those peoples' incredulity surface and listened to their comments and words of praise and awe - people were turning to me with huge grins on their faces and saying "have you heard this group before? aren't they incredible! aren't they amazing!" - and needless to say, they wouldn't let them go - standing ovations continued well past closing time.

I've watched this band grow, I've listened to the music get better and better, loving all the beautiful songs that John has written and I've derived such joy from these musicians as have legions of other fans. John, Joe, Bruce and Donny have all brought their individual top notch skills to their instruments - guitars, accordions, harmonicas, mandolin, bass and voices - and to their exciting performances. They've worked hard at honing their talent. And every time they performed, hundreds of times, it was as if they were debuting those songs for the first time. They put in just as much effort and love and played with such a sense of joy, passion and fun. Consummate artists all!

They will be sadly missed for sure. Hey, can we not, all you fans out there, use our powers of persuasion?! I'm too overcome now to be very rational in my words, but I feel angry also - angry because one doesn't come across music such as this very often. Yes, there are countless fine musicians out there, but these musicians and the music they make are special. They make magic. And now we are all going to be deprived of their gift. But I guess we just have to know that some gifts are rich and precious but don't and cannot go on forever, so we just have to treasure their memory. But I do feel as if I can't live without their music. I can listen to their CDs but it's not the same.........

Lillian

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Subject: RE: [mplpost] John Prince & A Piece of The Rock
Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 22:54:48 -0400
From: "Acoustic Traditions"

Lillian,

You have captured my feelings about John, Joe, Bruce and Donny perfectly - thank you !

They made friends of fans whenever and wherever they played.

Those of you who have not experienced John Prince and a Piece of the Rock, have missed one of Canada's greatest treasures.

The very best to John and the boys,

Wayne King
Traditions Folk Club
"The Loft" (above Acoustic Traditions)
80 Broadway
Orangeville, ON
L9W 1J9

Phone: (519) 942-6258
Fax: (519) 940-9367

folkclub@acoustictraditions.com
www.acoustictraditions.com/folkclub

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The following is the blurb from my own site's "Links" page:

John Prince & a Piece of the RocK - John and his crew have been a delight each time they've performed. "Down home" music, original works, superb musicianship and toe-tappin' rhythms; many concerts (including being regulars at CFMU's annual fundraising concerts), tons o' pub gigs, numerous appearances at festivals, several CDs to their credit - and they still manage to be the one of the best-kept secrets in folk music. You owe it to yourselves: check 'em out!
Late Note: June 2001 - Sad to say, word has just been given that the John Prince group has disbanded, including a cancellation of all future dates that had already been skedded. Damn! To me it feels like the breaking up of a family. And I still say, check 'em out. Their CDs are still out there: 1994's "Take Me Back" and 1997's "From Bristol to Bonavista"; get 'em!

07 Jan 09 - 10:37 PM (#2534732)
Subject: RE: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: GUEST,Lois Simpson

I have recently been introduced to this group by a Canadian friend of mine and I absolutely love their music. John Prince's voice is so special and a pleasure to hear and all the musicians are so talented. Yes, its been many years, but is there a possibility that John and his band will return to the stage?
Thank you,
Lsimpson1@aol.com

30 Mar 09 - 11:46 AM (#2600464)
Subject: RE: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: GUEST,Lisa Ricca-Waite

Hi - does anyone know how to get a hold of their CD's? Any information would be much appreciated.

waite@hhsc.ca

Thanks

29 Nov 10 - 03:04 AM (#3042535)
Subject: RE: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: GUEST,Lee Jones

I'm sorry to hear of the band breakup. Are there any CD's of your music available. Also keep me advised of any future music of any of the bands other ventures.
I am an amature folk musician. I know the difficulties of holding a band together.
Please let me know of any sheet music, and instructions you may have available. I would like to purchase them. Thank you. Lee Jones,
friend of Helane Todd.
email: eljay_92626@yahoo.com. Also on Facebook.

22 Jun 12 - 07:36 PM (#3366864)
Subject: RE: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: GUEST,Helane

Sorry I wasn't able to see the band perform all together for one more time....maybe some day in the future..good luck and best wishes from The Baroness of Long Beach   Helane    toddhelane@yahoo.com

25 Jul 13 - 02:45 AM (#3541442)
Subject: RE: John Prince & a Piece of the Rock
From: GUEST,Kevin Proulx

I shot some photos of John and his new band (The End of the Road) at the Orangeville Rotary Ribfest this past weekend, but cannot find a way to reach him. There is no Facebook page for the band, and his website lacks means to contact him (no response to the email address there).