He went to a nearby bar seeking a beer, and was encouraged to check out the unknown singer-songwriter performing in the back room. That musician's name was John Prine, and the unplanned and rapturous review Ebert wrote about the performance changed the singer-songwriter's life forever.

How was John Prine discovered?

A member of Chicago's folk revival, Prine credited film critic Roger Ebert and singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson with discovering him, resulting in the production of Prine's eponymous debut album with Atlantic Records in 1971. ... He then signed with Asylum Records, where he recorded an additional three albums.

How did Roger Ebert become a critic?

His career began in 1966, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times' Sunday magazine. In 1975, he became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize. That same year Ebert teamed up with fellow movie critic Gene Siskel on a television show where they debated the quality of the latest films.