John Prine

There used to be a nice place north of Topeka called the Ira Price Restaurant. Its billboard lured folks off Highway 75 by proudly announcing, "I don't want a million dollars, just a million friends." John Prine must share both ambitions; his current tally of buddies is just shy of 731,000, and his Oh Boy record label keeps his personal finances modest. Not that long ago, Prine's bout with throat cancer had his fans shaking their heads in disbelief that such a good guy could have so much misfortune. Luckily, the crown prince of songwriters, the man who rides fearlessly through the equally dangerous curves of hilarity and unabashed sentiment, faced down the Big C and jumped on the tour bus with grin intact. Now there's a whole new generation of warm, friendly songwriters sleeping with Bruised Orange under their pillows. With duet partner and hometown hero Iris DeMent in tow this time, there will be lots of old friends on hand to welcome Prine back.