John Prine

@rpeluso - I agree with you there!  As a general rule, I'm not a "country" kind of guy.  Grew up on country but always despised it, especially the 'twangy' kind of singing my parents loved. Shuddddderrrrr!!!
In the many intervening decades, I've come to enjoy - for marital bliss among other reasons - country rock and bluegrass.  Still can't take the twang though.  Give me a Sharon den Adel, Simone Simons, Tarja Terunen, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Haslam, Maddy Prior kind of female vocals any time.
That said, we just saw John McEuen a couple of weeks ago, with some of the old NGDB folks - 50 year anniversary tour for the Circle album - absolutely excellent!! Great fun.  Good tunes, and he spent a lot of time talking about his and the NGDB's history, and actually taking questions from the audience.  A must see if you get a chance!  A piece of history, and a marvelous string talent, irrespective of your tastes.

@tubegroover  - yeah, he's always put on a great show, but IMO since his throat cancer, and recovery, the sense of sheer joy he exhibits at being able to still perform just takes the show to a totally new level.  His voice has suffered significantly - but if was never that *pure* of a voice to begin with - but the fun he has performing is so obvious, and infectious, that you can't help but have a great time.
We were lucky enough to see Randy Newman a few years ago in Scottsdale, just him and a piano, and about 100-150 people, and it was the same kind of vibe.  He was talking to the audience, and just having a great time - makes the show something really special.  Compare such shows to the singers/groups who basically just phone in the performance, and the enjoyment factor is just orders of magnitude greater.

Been seeing JP since the mid 70’s. That show in Dallas was like Springsteen on stage! The level of energy with a full band was incredible. He was literally climbing on top of the PA system.  John is a National Treasure. I have no problem speaking of John in the same breath as Dylan.  I’ve read Dylan has said JP is one of his favorite song writers. He rocks with Lake Louise and makes you cry with Sam Stone.

I think Sam Stone just might be the saddest, most heartbreaking song ever written.  So very good yet so hard to sit through.

IMO since his throat cancer, and recovery, the sense of sheer joy he exhibits at being able to still perform just takes the show to a totally new level. His voice has suffered significantly - but if was never that *pure* of a voice to begin with - but the fun he has performing is so obvious, and infectious, that you can't help but have a great time.

The level of energy with a full band was incredible. He was literally climbing on top of the PA system.  John is a National Treasure. I have no problem speaking of John in the same breath as Dylan.

What I was trying to convey in my post, but said much better.