Ever since he caught the attention of Kris Kristofferson in the early '70s, Chicago-based singer and songwriter John Prine has seemed to be more critically respected than commercially accepted. With only a single album cracking the U.S. Top 100, Prine has spent his days producing the kind of good-natured folk and country songs that have been covered by Joan Baez and the Everly Brothers, and brought about collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bonnie Raitt. Often infusing a dry humor to his easygoing lyrics, Prine's colloquial, heartland songs regularly feel accompanied by a cracked smile. Prine performs at Richmond CenterStage at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. $50-$60.