When Chuck Prophet was younger, he wanted to become a rocket scientist. That was, of course, until he discovered music.

“I have always been obsessed with music,” he says. “I never really saw it as a career, though. I still don’t think of it as one; I’m lucky really.”

Although he is now a solo act, Prophet began his music career as a member of the group Psychedelic Cosmic Cowboys Green on Red, known mostly as Green on Red. The band had the opportunity to travel the world, playing shows in many different countries, an experience he says he learned a lot from.

“My favorite place I have ever traveled was Helsinki, the land of the midnight sun,” Prophet says. “I was there in the summer and had just flown in from the States, and couldn’t believe it was nighttime rather than three in the afternoon. What a psychedelic experience; it was the best and the worst of times.”

After all the touring, Green on Red eventually disbanded, but Prophet continued to pursue his interest in music. As a solo act, he says he faced some difficulties getting started but enjoyed the freedom to simply play and handle his own music.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing music and playing with friends,” he says. “My first record was made with a few hundred dollars and distributed at my concerts.”

After shaping his sound, he was noticed and signed with New West Records.

“New West Records turned things around for me, and there really is a lot of love there,” Prophet says.

He has released seven albums with New West Records so far.

He says he still gets nervous as new material approaches release and he is left wondering if it will be his last.

“Every time I finish a new album there is a low-level anxiety in my stomach,” he says.

“Maybe I’ll never make another album, who knows. There isn’t really any method, and even if there was a method I probably wouldn’t trust it. I just need faith and luck.”

Although the life of a musician seems ideal, Prophet says there are certain stresses involved. “I recently had this stress dream where I was actually playing a show with the rock band KISS,” Prophet says.

“I had my guitar and was standing at the catering table where there was all this potato salad when suddenly they were all yelling that I was on. I didn’t even know any of KISS’ music to play with them.”

Prophet continues to find inspiration, though, and his latest album is entitled “Age of Miracles” for a good reason.

“I am becoming increasingly aware that we truly are living in the age of miracles,” Prophet says. “Mankind has brought about amazing technological and medical advancements, and yet we still don’t really know what we are doing. Even fast food chains have express lines.”

Prophet is touring the United States, promoting his latest album while still playing many of his old favorites.

He says he is looking forward to his time in Ames.

“I love playing in college towns,” he says. “College radio is very good to me.”

Overall, Prophet seems glad to be able to do what he loves: playing music.

“I can’t complain,” Prophet says. “It’s a great job for people that are too lazy to work and too nervous to steal.”

Who: Chuck Prophet

Where: M-Shop

When: 9 p.m., Saturday

Cost: $8 students, $10 public