John Mellencamp will receive the John Steinbeck award, given to those individuals who exemplify the spirit of "Steinbeck's empathy, commitment to democratic values, and belief in the dignity of the common man," according to a press release on Mellencamp's website.
Steinbeck's son elaborated on Mellencamp's fitness for the award:
"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 [my father'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," he added.
Previous recipients of the award include Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne.
The ceremony takes place at the California Theatre in San Jose, California and features a live set by Mellencamp.
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