Johnny Prill
Johnny Prill (hometown Bad Axe, Michigan) is a singer-songwriter, accordionist, and the author of “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa,†the official song of the U.S. National Grandparents Day holiday. In a career that dates back to 1978, he has recorded 45-rpm records, four albums, and four compact discs; including polka, country, big band, and easy listening formats.
Volunteer work
Prill began his volunteer work at age 12 performing with his accordion at local nursing homes. In 2008, he received an award for entertaining elderly residents over the past 22 years.
In 2008, Prill hosted his first free outdoor concert to celebrate Grandparents Day, which is celebrated each year on the U.S. National Grandparents Day holiday. American actress, comedian, and author, Betty White wished Prill good luck stating, "Johnny, Have a wonderful concert - be sure and sing A Song for Grandma and Grandpa." Also, American actress and comedian Phyllis Diller thanked Prill for honoring grandparents with music.
In 2010, American folk singer Pete Seeger congratulated Prill on volunteering his musical talents, once a month, for 24 years.
Also, in 2010, American country music singer Barbara Mandrell congratulated Prill on his volunteer work stating “Your service through songs and volunteering is so remarkable!â€
In 2011, the Health Care Association of Michigan presented Prill with their “Volunteer Of The Year Award.†The award was given in recognition of Prill's 25 years of volunteering musical entertainment monthly for the residents of Courtney Manor Nursing Home.
Career highlights
In 1983, America's Polka King Frankie Yankovic presented Prill with an autographed copy of his 1977 autobiography "The Polka King: The Life Of Frankie Yankovic." Prill wrote a song based on the book titled “A Tribute To Frankie Yankovic - America's Polka King†and honored Yankovic with his song at September's Club in Warren, Michigan.
In 1987, Prill recorded two original songs on a 45 RPM. Side A featured “Polka Radio†and side B “A Birthday Wish.†That same year, American pop music singer Bobby Vinton released a 45 RPM containing the same two songs. In 1991, Vinton included “Polka Radio†on his "Greatest Polka Hits Of All Time" CD. Vinton also recorded Prill's “Proud To Be An American†in 1988 and included it on his self-titled Bobby Vinton (1988 album). Vinton credits Prill as being “one of the most creative song writers of our time.â€
In 1991, Prill wrote “America, This Song's For You.†The song featured vocals by top polka artists including America's Polka King Frankie Yankovic, Li'l Wally, Eddie Blazonczyk, Jimmy Sturr and Bobby Vinton. Proceeds from the album were used to promote polka music in America.
By 1993, Prill had written more than 100 songs. In that year he released "My Sweet Rose", which was an audio cassette with ten songs.
In 2004, Prill received the National Songwriter's Award from the National Grandparents Day Council in honor of his composition “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa.†The song was chosen because "Grandparents Day gives grandchildren across the nation the opportunity to show love and appreciation for their grandparents. Johnny Prill's A Song for Grandma and Grandpa is exemplary of such appreciation." "A Song for Grandma and Grandpa" is the official song of the U.S. National Grandparents Day holiday.
Also in 2004, Prill released "The Polka Beat" CD with eleven polkas. In August, the "Las Vegas" polka received a 5-star review in the Las Vegas Weekly. Martin Stein stated, "Truly the best polka song about our town ever recorded." In October, the Las Vegas Mercury identified the same polka as "Standout". In 2005 "The Polka Beat" CD was featured in the Detroit Free Press as their Detroit Disc of the week.
In 2006, Prill presented American singer and entertainer Wayne Newton with “The King of Las Vegas†song at the Flamingo Las Vegas Casino and Resort in Paradise, Nevada. Prill's song was written and based on the book “Once Before I Go†the 1989 autobiography on Newton's life.
In 2011, Prill's “Polish Prince†song was recorded by Grammy Award winner Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. Prill's song, based on the 1978 autobiography “The Polish Prince – Bobby Vinton,†was included on Sturr's Grammy-nominated “Not Just Another Polka†CD.
Personal life
Prill and his wife Patricia currently reside in Bad Axe, Michigan. They have four children: Misty, Sarah, Jennifer and Johnny. Prill began his nursing-home volunteering when his grandmother, Vera Will, was a resident. As of 2011, Prill is himself now a grandparent.