John To Receive The John Steinbeck Award

John Mellencamp will receive the prestigious John Steinbeck Award, "in the souls of the people" on Monday, July 30th, at the historic California Theatre in San Jose. Thomas Steinbeck will present the John Steinbeck Award to John at an event titled "A Conversation and Special Performance" the evening will include a talk with Mellencamp, moderated by Robert Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, and musical performance.

The John Steinbeck Award has been called "a beacon for the left" and its list of recipients "a who's who of disturbers." Previous recipients of the John Steinbeck Award are: Bruce Springsteen, Arthur Miller, Studs Terkel, Dolores Huerta, John Sayles, Jackson Browne, Garrison Keillor, Joan Baez, Michael Moore, Sean Penn, and Rachel Maddow.

Of John Mellencamp, Thomas Steinbeck, noted author and the surviving son of John Steinbeck, said: "My father always carried a deep and profound respect for songwriters and musicians. He felt they were the voice of the people and had the unique opportunity to reach the very souls of the people. Like Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, and a handful of others, John Mellencamp has done just that. He has spent his life serving as a voice for the people.

"John's 40-year career makes one marvel. As an artist, John Mellencamp has been a superb singer-songwriter-storyteller; as an exemplary activist, and as a creator and longtime champion of Farm Aid, he has maintained the true spirit of John Steinbeck's compassion for the worker. Without question, John Mellencamp has earned the John Steinbeck Award, and it will be my great pleasure to present it to him."

John commented, "John Steinbeck's remarkable ability to give voice to the common man and to people on society's margins, to describe their plight and aspirations, continues to inspire us more than a century after his birth. I'm very honored to be the recipient of an award given in his name." Tickets are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster