A drastic career change — from mailman to folk singer — had dramatic effects that resulted in 12 albums, a Grammy and a music business of his own.

John Prine, described by the New York Times as the “rock singer whose words sing too,” will be performing tonight in Ames.

“Prine has been building his music from folk, country, blues, the 10 o’clock news and his own idiosyncratic world view for 27 years,” according to a press release.

The New York Times describes Prine’s songs as “filled with hard-won profundities, some delivered as eulogies, others as offhand as a party joke.”

Since his debut in the early ’70s, Prine has produced many memorable songs written in his storytelling style. Songs include “Angel From Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There,” “Dear Abby,” “Illegal Smile” and “Fish and Whistle.”

Born and raised in Maywood, Ill., Prine was introduced to music at age 14 by his older brother Dave. As he began to learn some bluegrass licks he experienced some difficulty in playing and singing at the same time.

“I was still getting over that open-your-mouth singing, moving your hand and playing at the same time, and it was easier for me to make up my own words,” Prine said in a press release. “I’d just make up songs and then forget about them most of the time.”

Prine’s singing-and-songwriting career did not begin immediately. After serving in the Army, Prine took a job at the post office where he had plenty of time to write on the route.

“I wrote some of these songs from my first album on my mail route,” Prine said in a press release.

One night in 1970 he was having drinks at the Fifth Peg in Chicago and, after chiding participants of open-mic night, he got on stage to perform some of his first tunes including “Paradise.”

Shortly afterwards, he decided to quit his job in order to play.

“I told the postmaster what I was gonna do. He just sat there and said, ‘Don’t take your retirement pay because you’ll be back.’ I said, ‘Oh no. You don’t understand. No matter what happens, I ain’t comin’ back here.'”

After four weeks of playing, Steve Goodman heard about Prine and went to check him out. Goodman, who was impressed, remembered Prine, and in 1971, after Goodman open for Kris Kristofferson, convinced Kristofferson to listen to Prine.

Kristofferson, also impressed, invited Prine to go to New York and within 24 hours of being in New York he was offered a $25,000 recording contract.

The last 30 years has brought several changes to Prine’s career. After signing his first contract, Prine’s career began to develop and has resulted in the release of 12 albums and the creation of Oh Boy Records.

John Prine and guest Leo Kottke will be bringing his legendary folk sound to Stephens Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25.50 and still available at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office and all TicketMaster locations.