In a celebrated career that has spanned more than three decades, the last several years have been particularly exciting for singer-songwriter John Prine, manager and friend Al Bunetta said.

"When he goes to perform, these have been his biggest years these last couple of years," he said. "It's just really a good time for John and I'll tell you what, he's earned it. He's earned it 'cause he works hard."

Prine is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, in the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium. Tickets cost $40 and are available at Hearthside Books.

In 2005, Prine was invited by Poet Laureate Ted Kooser to be the first singer-songwriter to perform at the Library of Congress. In 2006, Prine won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album for his release "Fair & Square." And last year he performed an exciting concert at Carnegie Hall, Bunetta said.

"It was a major event," he said. "But he'll do that same show wherever he goes, he'll do that same, same good show. ... He really loves and really respects his audience so he can't give enough to them," he said.

Prine has established himself as one of America's premiere singer-songwriters since his critically acclaimed 1971 self-titled album. His songs have become standards in the repertoire of recording artists such as Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt and George Strait, and include "Angel from Montgomery," "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" and "Paradise."

Prine releases music at his own pace and under his own volition, Bunetta said.

"John only puts out a record when he's ready to and has something to say," he said.

He took a five-year hiatus from releasing albums between "Fair & Square" and the 2000 release "Souvenirs."

"It was just time," Prine said in an interview after the release of "Fair & Square." " I had a bunch of songs. I'd started recording them, and it turns out, I liked them pretty well. So, now, I get to get them all just the way I like them - and then I get to let them out to meet the world."

In 2007 Prine released "Standard Songs for Average People" with bluegrass icon Mac Wiseman, a duet album consisting of classic renditions of American songs.

The Tennessee-based musician also tours at his own convenience, performing about four to six concerts a month, Bunetta said.

"John works periodically during the year," he said. "It's all centered around his personal life. he'll do weekends here, two shows here, two shows there."

Bunetta said Prine rarely does interviews with media outlets - including the Hooligan - at this stage in his career.

"John gets embarrassed talking about himself and talking about his music that he's been doing for years and years and years," he said.

Prine's tour in Alaska includes stops in Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Homer.

"He's coming to Alaska because he's looking forward to that," Bunetta said. "It's a place he really wants to go so we designed a little tour to try to cover as much ground as we possibly could in a short period of time and he chose to go to Alaska."

People in Juneau are getting equally excited to see such an accomplished singer-songwriter coming to town, said Linda Frame, board member of the Alaska Folk Festival, the group sponsoring the concert.

"He really fits into what we do, the kind of music that seems to come across the Alaska Folk Festival stage," she said. "I think because he has so much longevity that it's a really exciting aspect for us."

And it's not just the traditional folk aficionados anticipating Prine's first-ever concert in Juneau, Frame said.

"One of the things I find fascinating about this is the cross-generational appeal," she said. "I think that's very interesting that someone who is a singer-songwriter that has been around as long as he has, has also managed to cultivate a younger audience as well. There are a lot of 30-year-olds that have expressed to me how excited they are about this concert."

Prine is a talented storyteller whose music resonates with many listeners, Frame said.

"He plays with words and turns everyday situations that might not necessarily be happy situations, but he looks at them in unique ways and expresses them poetically," she said. "That's something that I really appreciate about his music."

Bunetta said Prine is basically a loyal guy, honest friend and all around good person.

"He cares about the human condition," he said.

Prine's demeanor is evident through his lyrics and music, Bunetta said.

"He's just a good guy and a great, great songwriter and an Average Joe and average guy who believes in the right thing," he said. "It's kind of strange in today's time, isn't it?"

• Contact reporter Eric Morrison at 523-2269 or eric.morrison@juneauempire.com.