Singer-songwriter John Prine [ tickets ], who's been a favorite of music critics for more than 30 years, will spend most of his weekends on the road in the coming months.

The native of Maywood, Ill., opens his touring year in late February, and has scheduled dates into April.

After recording eight albums for major labels in the late '70s and early '80s, Prine, his longtime manager Al Bunetta and Bunetta's associate Dan Einstein formed the independent label Oh Boy Records--for which Prine has since released eight albums.

Prine was diagnosed with neck cancer in late 1997, and took a year-and-a-half respite from touring and recording as he battled the disease. After recovering, he returned in 1999 with the release of "In Spite of Ourselves," an album that he began to record before his cancer diagnosis.

In 2000, Prine released "Souvenirs," on which he re-recorded many of his classic songs, including "Angel From Montgomery" (which has been recorded by Bonnie Raitt [ tickets ]) and "The Late John Garfield Blues."

There are two GRAMMY^® awards for Best Contemporary Folk Recording in Prine's trophy case, for 1986's "Tribute to Steve Goodman" and 1991's "The Missing Years."