John Prine headlines the Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend at the Arlington Hotel.

  • John Prine headlines the Keith Sykes Hot Springs Weekend at the Arlington Hotel.

KEITH SYKES HOT SPRINGS WEEKEND
1 p.m. Arlington Hotel. $60.

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This two-day shindig is definitely a “songwriter’s songwriter” type of affair, headlined by John Prine, one of the greatest songwriters ever. Good Lord, what do you even say about Prine? The man is unquestionably in the most rarified circle of songwriters, up there with Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Billy Joe Shaver, Townes Van Zandt and maybe a handful of others. He’s one of those guys who you call by his last name only, like, “Yeah man, I mean, I love Dylan of course, but Prine just hits me on a different level.”

The festival was put together by Keith Sykes, who has written songs for Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett and more. After wandering around the country for a while in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Sykes eventually settled in Memphis, where he’s hosted songwriter showcases for many years. This one also includes Richard Leigh, Larry Joe Taylor, Roger Cook and Jed Zimmerman.

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In addition to the concerts, at 1 p.m. Friday and at 8 p.m. both nights, there’ll be a “Bloody Mary Morning” show with Zimmerman and Delta Joe Sanders, and at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sykes will interview Prine, which should be fascinating.