CHICAGO – If you really want something, ask the woman who gave her whole talk-show audience cars. "SEND ME BACK TO PRISON! My final plea is to you Miss Winfrey," reads a billboard in suburban Chicago aimed at Oprah Winfrey (search).
Christian musician and songwriter David Joseph paid for the ad. He says he spent years performing for federal inmates until funding dried up in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Joseph, who said he made $20,000 a year performing in 80 to 90 prisons, said he's not necessarily asking the talk show host to write him a check so he can continue to perform for inmates.
"My main desire is to tell my story on a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show," said Joseph, of Mayfield, Pa.
Joseph hopes that by telling his story, somebody — he doesn't care if it's Winfrey or someone else — will be interested in picking up the tab.
On Thursday, Joseph said he'd received some crank calls and calls from people wondering why he wants to return to prison. But, "I haven't heard from her or any of her people as of yet," he said.
Harpo Studios Inc., (search) Winfrey's production company, did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Winfrey, already known for giving her studio audience gifts, one-upped herself last month when she celebrated the premiere of her 19th season by giving a car to each of the 276 people at the show's taping.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox