February 14, 2005 2 Public Service Announcements, 30 Seconds and 60 Seconds

Singer-Songwriter John Prine To Join Poet Laureate Ted Kooser in Conversation On March 9

Press Contact: Donna Urschel (202) 707-1639

30 SECONDS:

The Library of Congress presents an evening of conversation between singer-songwriter John Prine and Poet Laureate Ted Kooser at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, in the Coolidge Audtorium of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., in Washington, D.C.

The songwriter and the poet will compare and contrast the emotional appeal of the lyrics of popular songs with the appeal of contemporary poetry.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Free tickets will be distributed at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning at 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

60 SECONDS:

The Library of Congress presents an evening of conversation between singer-songwriter John Prine and Poet Laureate Ted Kooser at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, in the Coolidge Audtorium of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., in Washington, D.C.

The songwriter and the poet will compare and contrast the emotional appeal of the lyrics of popular songs with the appeal of contemporary poetry.

John Prine's newest album, "Fair and Square," will be released in April. Since the early '80s, the Folk/Rock/Country legend has recorded several Grammy-nominated albums with Oh Boy Records. He won a Grammy for his 1991 album, "The Missing Years," which featured appearances by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.

Ted Kooser — from Garland, Nebraska, and the author of 10 books of poetry — is the 12th Poet Laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, and the first Poet Laureate from the Great Plains.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Free tickets will be distributed at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning at 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

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PR 05-031
2005-02-14
ISSN 0731-3527