Workshop: Discovering the Magic of John Prine’s “Souvenirs”
Have you ever wondered what makes a simple song truly memorable?
Join our own Dick Donohue for an evening exploring one of John Prine’s most beloved songs, “Souvenirs.” At first glance, it’s wonderfully simple – just three basic chords. But beneath that simplicity are beautiful vocal rhythms, tasteful embellishments, expressive picking ideas, and lyrics that have touched listeners for decades.
One of the things that makes this song so special is that there is something here for every skill level. If you’re a newer player, you’ll discover how three simple chords can create a beautiful performance. If you’re a more experienced player, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to add expression, nuance, and techniques that can enhance many other songs you play.
This will be an interactive workshop where we’ll explore the parts of the song that interest you the most.
Depending on the group’s interests, we’ll look at topics such as:
- Playing the three-chord accompaniment with confidence.
- Capturing the unique vocal rhythm that gives the song its character.
- Adding simple embellishments to make your playing more expressive.
- Learning a beautiful picking pattern step-by-step – one that you’ll be able to use in many other songs.
- Time permitting, we could even explore the meaning behind John Prine’s lyrics and why this song continues to resonate with so many people.
Whether you come to improve your strumming, develop your picking, explore the lyrics, or simply enjoy learning with other ukulele players, you’ll leave with new ideas you can use long after the workshop is over.
When/Where?
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:30pm
Location: Holladay Library 2150 E Murray Holladay Rd, Holladay, UT 84117
The workshop is free and open to the public. Bring your ukulele, your curiosity, and your questions!
The Song
Watch John Prine perform Souvenirs in this YouTube video. 
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZyeo8myveY )
The Chart
| Title | Categories | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Souvenirs | Baritone, Next Workshop, Standard | Download |
Location
Holladay Library 2150 E Murray Holladay Rd, Holladay, UT 84117