JOHN PRINE Friday-Saturday: In his four-decade career, the influence of this Chicago postman-turned-songwriting-giant always seems to show up in odd places. The most recent instance: That's the Prine-popularized tune "Killing the Blues" (actually written by Roly Salley) that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss sing in J.C. Penney's omnipresent, utopian TV commercials for its American Living line. Ol' John always earns his pay in concert, if not through his singing (a recent cancer fight damaged his rugged voice all the more), then through personality and poetry. He's playing two Minnesota shows this week with Paul Thorn opening. (8 p.m. Fri. $41-$46. Presentation Hall, Rochester, Minn. 1-507-287-2222; 7:30 p.m. Sat. $55.50-$58.50. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 651-989-5151.) Some local musicians are also hosting a Prine tribute concert at the 331 Club, including Jon Rodine, the Roe Family Singers and Justin Roth. (9 p.m. Thu. Free. 331 13th Av. NE., Mpls.)
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
