Welcome to the new segment on the 3S Blog — "Why’d We Book it?"
We want to bring our 3S community into the know on the events coming up at 3S that have us shouting from the rooftops: “Hello! Friends! Something super FUN is coming to Portsmouth!”
We know that not all of the acts we book are widely known. This is partly because it is paramount to our vision as a contemporary arts organization to bring up-and-coming acts to our Performance Space stage for all of you culturally curious folks out there.
We don’t want you to miss out on an event that would have been right up your alley just because you had never heard of an act before. That’s why we’re highlighting some of our upcoming events in this segment — to give you a greater understanding into the kind of night you’re in for when you attend.
John R. Miller and Tommy Prine Friday, August 15, 2025
Tommy Prine's debut album This Far South (June 2023) was not only a long-awaited introduction but a testimony to Prine's 20s and the loss, love, and growth that has defined them. Co-produced by a close friend and kindred musical spirit, Ruston Kelly, and beloved Nashville engineer and producer, Gena Johnson, the album is rich and dynamic from cathartic jams to nostalgic storytelling. Celebrating the album's first year, Tommy is releasing a deluxe version of the record on June 21, 2024 – featuring reimagined versions, a special guest and a brand new song.
"Releasing my debut album changed so much in my life. The only things that stayed the same were my family, my pets, and my friends. Everything else changed drastically. I've had a few moments that felt like the point of no return, releasing the album being one of them. Not in a scary way, just in a way that there is no taking back art that you put out into the world. Once it has affected one other person, it has already begun its own life and will in turn change the creator's life."
Prine is currently crisscrossing the country headlining shows with his band and appearing at festivals including Green River, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, and Bourbon & Beyond. This past year, Prine opened for Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers, was named one of Amazon Music's 2023 Breakthrough Artists to Watch and wrapped up the year by making his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Tommy learned to play guitar by watching his father, mimicking the ways his fingers moved, he inadvertently developed his own singular style. Prine sonically brings together a colorful patchwork of musical influences spanning Gillian Welch, Outkast, Bon Iver, the Strokes and more. Lyrically, Tommy explores existential questions and emotional experiences in his music.
JohnR Miller is a true hyphenate artist: singer-songwriter-picker. Every song on his thrilling debut solo album, Depreciated, is lush with intricate wordplay and haunting imagery, as well as being backed by a band that is on fire. One of his biggest long-time fans is roots music favorite Tyler Childers, who says he's "a well-travelled wordsmith mapping out the world he's seen, three chords at a time." Miller is somehow able to transport us to a shadowy honkytonk and get existential all in the same line with his tightly written compositions. Miller's own guitar-playing is on fine display here along with vocals that evoke the white-waters of the Potomac River rumbling below the high ridges of his native Shenandoah Valley.
So… Why’d we book them at 3S?
After a great show at PPAF last summer, we knew we had to have Tommy Prine back to Portsmouth, ideally at 3S, for all the folk-Americana fans. Son of the late legend, John Prine, Tommy sings of loss, love, and growth that has defined them. His debut album was co-produced by friend Ruston Kelly, who we had at 3S for a near sold out show last year.
Singer-songwriter-picker John R. Miller is the ideal co-headliner, adding another layer of masterful storytelling to the bill. Tyler Childers, says Miller is "a well-travelled wordsmith mapping out the world he's seen, three chords at a time.
Come see this act in our intimate Performance Space before they take to bigger stages.
Mark your calendars! John R. Miller and Tommy Prine will be performing at 3S on 8/15/2025. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm.