Fiona Whelan Prine

Fiona Whelan Prine brings an expansive viewpoint to the Americana roots music community as President of Oh Boy Records, America’s second-oldest independent record label still in operation. In that role, she oversees the multiple Grammy Award-winning recording sand publishing copyrights of her late husband, hall of songwriter John Prine. She also serves as Founder and President of the newly established Hello in There Foundation.

 

Born and raised in Donegal, Ireland, Fiona served as Business Manager for Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, considered Ireland’s premiere recording studio. Fiona met John while working there in 1988, and they later married in Nashville, TN, where together they raised their three sons.

 

In 2015, Fiona took over full management of John's career when Al Bunetta, John's longtime business partner and manager, died after a brief illness. Together with her son, Jody Whelan, she now oversees all aspects of John's business and musical legacy.

 

As one of Nashville’s most prominent and dedicated philanthropists, Fiona serves on the advisory committee for Thistle Farms Global, a Nashville based nonprofit dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from poverty, trafficking, and addiction. Through unique annual fundraising events, her initiatives have helped raise more than $3 million for the organization.

 

To honor John’s memory, the family created the Hello in There Foundation, whose aim is to identify and collaborate with communities where people are marginalized, discriminated against or are otherwise forgotten. To date the nonprofit has raised and distributed over $1 million in grants.

 

In June 2021 President Biden nominated Fiona for a position on The Council on The Arts in support of the National Endowment for the Arts. She was appointed with Senate approval in 2022.  Fiona is a member of good standing with the Americana Association, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Recording Academy, A2IM, and various Nashville-based Arts initiatives.

 

She enjoys spending time with her sons and grandchildren in Nashville and with her family in Ireland.