Description
Singer, songwriter and activist John Mellencamp will become the first musician to receive the prestigious John Steinbeck Award since Joan Baez in 2003. John Steinbeck's son, Thomas Steinbeck will present the award. There will also be a talk with Mellencamp that Robert Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, will moderate.
"It may be little pink houses for you and me, but it's a Steinbeck award for John Mellencamp at the California Theater this week. Okay, "Rain on the Scarecrow" is no Grapes of Wrath, but the award honors artists who have shown commitment to the plight of the common man, and that describes the Artist Formerly Known As Cougar to a T. He'll be "in conversation" with Robert Santelli of the Grammy Museum, and perform his little ditties both solo acoustic and with a full band." --Steve Palopoli, sanjose.com