Chuck Prophet has a slightly unorthodox method when it comes to getting ideas for new songs.

“I was just driving cross country, and I collect all these cassettes I’ve recorded of ideas,” he said. “I’ll put it on in the car and just start yelling along to it. I’ll do that for like an hour. I’ll be driving and I’ll see a sign that says “Country Cookin'” and I’ll start singing something like ‘you like country cookin?’ I like country cookin’!’ I’ll just do that over and over again. Stuff like that.”

“If anyone wanted to blackmail me, they could say ‘I’ll play this for people unless you give me money.’ I’d be horrified,” he adds with a chuckle.

Prophet has turned randomness and ramblings into an impressive catalog of finely crafted, Lou Reed-via-Nashville rock. After 20 years on the road – first with his 1980s proto-alt-country band Green On Red, and then with a string of solo albums from the early 1990s until today – he’s one of many unsung heroes of contemporary country-influenced rock. He might not sell as many albums as Ryan Adams, but he’s every bit as talented and undoubtedly less annoying.

Lest you think he’s working solely in the alt-country milieu, Prophet says he spends as much time listening to dance music and hip-hop as he does anything else.

“I love old school hip-hop, I like some DJ music,” he said. “I really like the band Spoon. I like so much stuff. Blondie, ZZ Top. ’80s guitar dance music. Everything.”

You can hear it in his most recent album, “Age of Miracles”, which combines multiple influences into one loose-limbed, eclectic sound. Prophet utilizes bossa-nova, ’60s pop, Delta blues and new wave styles, with all those influences anchored by his awesome baritone and stellar guitar skills.

While Prophet’s solo discs have been critical successes, his biggest strength is truly his songwriting. Many artists, country or otherwise, have covered his songs, with a top 40 hit for singer Cyndi Thomson with the song “I’m Gone.” He’s in the line of people such as Lucinda Williams (with whom he’s toured) and Townes Van Zandt – master songwriters, who are as comfortable behind the scenes as they are in the spotlight.

Right now he’s just into touring and writing, and has no immediate plans to jump into a studio to record a follow-up to “Age of Miracles.” In fact, recording is probably his least favorite aspect of the business of being a musician.

“Eventually, at some point during the recording of an album, I start to feel like the guy in that [Francesco] Goya etching [“The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters”],” he said. “Like I’ve got bats coming out of my head. I can’t sleep. It’s horrible. I really like the songwriting process much better.”

He’s contemplating playing some acoustic shows overseas, but currently he’s touring the U.S., and has been on and off for the past year. Prophet is making a stop tonight at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth. Not only is it his first time playing in Maine, the night will be another first as well.

“Nope, I don’t know if I’ve ever been here,” he said. “But I like new things. Those are the kinds of shows that are the most fun.”

Chuck Prophet is playing tonight at 7:30 at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Grand box office. The Grand can be reached at 667-9500. For more info on Chuck, visit www.chuckprophet.com. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.