LYRICS - DISCUSS ONLINE

One of the resounding themes of this election year is change.

“Change we can believe in” is Barack Obama’s key campaign slogan, and as this is written, the Republicans are hailing John McCain’s vice presidential choice Sarah Palin as a “change agent.”

Be that as it may, this remarkable moment in our nation’s history has for very many evoked the sense of hope from 40 years ago, when for a brief moment leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy truly embodied change.

That moment was musically foreshadowed in 1964 by the title track of Bob Dylan’s third album, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” But this veritable battle-cry for a generation (“Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call”) has never seemed more timely than now. And now John Mellencamp, with this homemade, Web site-only performance, offers it to a new generation at a time of renewed hope.

Dylan, of course, was one of Mellencamp’s biggest influences.

Mellencamp performed “Like A Rolling Stone” during 1988 “Lonesome Jubilee” tour stops (a live version of the song was included as a B-side) and also sang it and “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” for “The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration” at Madison Square Garden in 1992 (both songs are included in the commemorative album). Also that year he performed “All Along the Watchtower” on “MTV Unplugged” and in 2003 he did “Highway 61 Revisited” at shows and for “Sessions @ AOL.”

He covered Dylan’s “Farewell Angelina” on his “Rough Harvest” album, and even directed the video for Dylan’s “Political World” track from his 1989 album “Oh Mercy” (if you look closely you can spot Mellencamp’s guitarist Mike Wanchic playing in Dylan’s band). Both artists also appeared in “A Vision Shared: A Tribute To Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly,” a 1991 documentary including performances by artists influenced by the two folk music legends (Mellencamp, like Dylan before him, was hugely influenced by Guthrie).

As for “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” Mellencamp’s “Peaceful World,” which addressed racism and saluted the words of Dr. King, echoed the Dylan song’s most powerful line (“Please get out of the new [road] if you can’t lend your hand”) with “if you’re not part of the future then get out of the way.” Here, on this new Web site exclusive, he goes directly to the source in reliving the once-again relevant ideals of the past.
- jim bessman

 

As part of events surrounding the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, John Mellencamp will perform at the first annual “Notes of Hope” dinner in New York to benefit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (VISIT WEBSITE).

Mayor Michael Bloomberg will host the $1,000-a-plate benefit dinner, which will take place Sept. 9 at Cipriani Wall Street and will star actor/comedian Denis Leary as MC. Also performing is acclaimed Russian piano virtuoso Lola Astanova.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is currently under construction at the World Trade Center site and will feature twin reflecting pools built over the Twin Towers’ footprints at ground zero, surrounded by a plaza of oak trees. The building materials include steel beams that have toured the country and have been inscribed with “Notes of Hope” containing the reflections and thoughts on 9/11 written by tens of thousands of Americans.

“No matter where you were on that day, every American was affected by the events of 9/11,” said Mellencamp. “All of us came together as one people in support of each other back then. The hope is that this national memorial will remind us again about how much we all have in common and at stake. I’m proud to support its creation.”

The benefit dinner will also honor several individuals, including Tribeca Film Festival founders Robert De Niro, Craig Hatkoff, and Jane Rosenthal, who will be presented with the Distinction in Rebuilding award recognizing their work in helping revitalize Lower Manhattan. Click HERE for more info about the event, click HERE for ticket details. 

INTERVIEW BY NANCY COULTER-PARKER

In the early 1980s, Willie Nelson had the idea to start an organization that would raise awareness about the plight of family farmers in jeopardy of losing their farms due to financial hardship. A friend encouraged Nelson to contact John Mellencamp, whose album Scarecrow — largely about the state of family farming — had just been released. Nelson made the call, and the two forged a partnership. Neil Young joined the duo to organize the first Farm Aid concert in 1985. Dave Matthews joined the board of directors in 2001. In its 23 years, the nonprofit Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million — money that has been used to support family farmers and, more recently, as emergency relief funds for families whose farms were hit by the floods in Iowa last June. Recently, Delicious Living caught up with John Mellencamp, on tour for his new album Life Death Love and Freedom, to talk about his involvement with Farm Aid.

Delicious Living: How has the state of farming changed in the past 20 years?

John Mellencamp: When we started Farm Aid, the big industrial farming model was just coming into play, and that's why families were being forced off their farms. Factory farming is still something we've got to fight. But we're seeing farm families who survived the industrialization of agriculture come back to the land again and young families and friends working the land for the first time. People are also renting land to grow food and cultivating urban rooftops and community gardens. It's a hopeful time because a lot of people have suddenly realized, “I don't even know what's in the crap those companies are trying to sell me. I want to know what I'm eating, so I'm going to take the time to know my food and know my farmer.”

What do you choose when buying food? Local? Organic?

Where I come from in Indiana there are no fancy boutique supermarkets. A fancy boutique supermarket is the farmers' market. And lucky for me, in my town, there's a little store that only sells organic food, and it's been there for years.

Why did you feel that it was important to get involved?

I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a small town. As a kid, in the fall I was able to see the crops coming in and see what time the people had to get up to go to work to bring those crops in. I saw them gathering on Main Street, talking about the problems and the successes they were having with their farms. The small family farmer was really the backbone of this country, and then all of a sudden somebody got the idea that they needed to feed the world. Well, we really got off track with that idea, and we need to feed our communities. By protecting the small family farmer, we protect our own families.

How can people get involved beyond going to the Farm Aid concerts?

I think that this country needs policy change. Everywhere you look, the regular guys are getting screwed, whether it is factory farms, the price of gas — you name it. Everywhere you look, there is a problem. I think before we can save the environment, before we can get rid of factory farming, before we can give the country back to the people, we have to have policy change — and that comes from us and the people we elect. We have to start paying attention to who we are electing into office and make them live up to their word and quit taking this corporate money over the interests of people. But above all, if you want a better world, it starts with you.
Click HERE to read the article online.

 

Bidding continues for Club Cherry Bomb’s 4th Annual Farm Aid Charity Auction, and among this year’s goodies is an exclusive: John Mellencamp Guitar String Bracelets.

Six bracelets made from Mellencamp’s acoustic and electric guitar strings are available. Bids start at $75 each.

The bracelets and the other memorabilia up for auction are all donated by Mellenheads (Mellencamp fans, for the uninitiated) and sent to John's for signing before being bid upon via email on the Club message board.

“From the small towns across the U.S., we, as John Mellencamp fans, pull together each year to help raise money in support of the Farm Aid cause and to assist the family farmer in providing the American people with safe, fresh and locally grown organic food,” explains Sharon C, coordinator of the Club's Farm Aid activities.

Said to be the only fan club that helps support Farm Aid, Club Cherry Bomb, along with the members of the Human Wheels Mailings list adds Sharon C, raised $2,500 from last year’s auction, up from $2,100 in 2006 and $1,615 in 2005.

This year’s bids must be in by Sept. 8. Click HERE to see images of all of the items and for more information about bidding. The merchandise being offered includes:

* A framed “Mr. Happy Go Lucky” Poster – Autographed by John
* A vintage Australian John Cougar T Shirt - Autographed by John
* The 2007 NFL Kickoff Poster from the Indianapolis Colts Kickoff game in Indiana - Autographed by John
* A 1985 Farm Aid silk jacket and sticker - Autographed by John
* A rare “Trouble No More” poster - Autographed by John
* A Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame simulcast poster and magnet - Autographed by John
* An “American Fool” cardboard stand-up - Autographed by John
* A framed John Cougar Mellencamp poster - Autographed by John
* An ASCAP program from last year’s prestigious Champion Award presentation to Mellencamp - Autographed by John
* A book bag, set list, program, Mellencamp guitar pick, and Dane Clark’s drumsticks from Mellencamp’s benefit concert at New York’s Housing Works Bookstore - Autographed by John
* A Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame program also signed by the Ventures’ Nokie Edwards and Don Wilson, Leon Huff from Gamble and Huff, and Rick Huxley of The Dave Clark Five
* A framed “Little Pink Houses For You And Me” sheet
* A framed “Life, Death, Love And Freedom” sheet
* A “The Lonesome Jubilee” varsity jacket

All funds raised will be credited to “The members of ClubCherryBomb.net – The John Mellencamp Fan Club,” with the total collected to be presented by the Club at Farm Aid. 

Sights & Sounds
By Mike Evans
THE GOOD: Recent Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Mellencamp isn't growing older "quietly" on his latest effort.

THE BAD: Those looking for radio-friendly, life-affirming ditties and fist-pumping patriotism aren't going to find any of that here.

THE NITTY GRITTY: Life Death Love and Freedom is easily the heaviest record of the singer/songwriter's career. Heavy in that various tracks deal with growing older, becoming lonely and bitter, racial tensions, senseless crimes, and (as a piece of the title suggests) dying. Musically, it's not heavy in the least bit. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the disc is actually a pretty authentic study in modern folk and alt-country. Drums are sparse. Acoustic instruments are plentiful. And Burnett coats the tunes in echo and analog recording techniques, creating a vibe that's straight out of Memphis circa 1954. Mellencamp's voice is raw and unyielding. Karen Fairchild joins the guy on a handful of cuts, smoothing out the rougher edges and bringing a gentler vibe to some of these proceedings. In the end though, the album is covered in a glorious grit.

BUY IT?: Yes. Mellencamp continues to progress as his 30-plus-years career moves forward. And he's only getting better.

Click HERE to read the article online.

 

John Mellencamp’s “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” continues to generate media attention, not only for its music but for its innovative technology.

A feature in the Aug. 30 edition of The Los Angeles Times focused on the album’s producer T Bone Burnett’s new “Code” high-resolution audio system—of which “LDL&F” is the first finished product.

“I think pretty much anybody can hear the difference,” Mellencamp told the Times. “"It’s just so much more open. The high end is not so annoying and scratchy.”

He went on to note that Burnett’s process costs no more than any other recording method—the high production cost of attaining such sound quality having been prohibitive in the past. “It should be the standard,” he added. “If a guy is interested in his record sounding like [it] did in the studio where they made it, they should be interested in doing this.”

Turns out that at least one other guy is interested in exactly that: Elvis Costello’s next album, set for release in 2009, will also utilize Burnett’s Code technology. Click HERE to read the Los Angeles Times article. 

Music can offer answers along life's twisted path
By Tom Hernandez
August 29, 2008

I was talking to John Mellencamp the other day ....

OK, well, not actually talking to him. Actually he was more talking to me.

OK, well, not actually talking to me. Actually he was more talking about me - or at least about my life - through several songs on his magnificent new CD, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom."

Mellencamp and I have had these kinds of conversations for more than two decades. I heard personal messages in his Midwestern rock back when he was still (unfortunately and amusingly) named Cougar.

Then, the songs were about young life, young love, rebellion and the power of rock 'n' roll. The world of the 20-something from Indiana making music for a world of fans that looked and lived and thought like him.

As he aged, I aged. As he learned about the harder edges of real life, I learned about the harder edges of real life. As he thought bigger thoughts, I thought bigger thoughts. As he got wiser and sharper, well, I thought bigger thoughts.

Anyway, here we both are now in middle age (me early, him more middle/late). His latest collection finds us both peeking at life's rearview mirror, wondering where the time went, what the future holds and if what we have done with our lives amounts to much at all in the big picture.

The opening lines from the song "Don't Need This Body" sum up my mental, not to mention my physical state in recent months: "This getting older/Ain't for cowards/This getting older/Is a lot to go through/Ain't gonna need this body/Much longer/Ain't gonna need this body/Much more."

Exactly.

Then "Longest Days" hit me like a ball-peen hammer between the eyes: "It seems like once upon a time ago/I was where I was supposed to be/My vision was true and my heart was too/There was no end to what I could dream/I walked like a hero into the setting sun/Everyone called out my name/Death to me was just a mystery/I was too busy raisin' up Cain/.

"But nothing lasts forever/Your best efforts don't always pay/Sometimes you get sick/And you don't get better/That's when life is short/Even in its longest days."

Spoken like a man who has seen his world from the top of the top, and now finds himself somewhere around the middle wondering how and when he got there.

And I am telling you, Mellencamp may not have been literally talking to me, but I heard him loud and clear as sure as if he was sharing a cup of coffee across my kitchen table.

Strictly, a poem of mine called "Just" ponders some of these same thoughts:

The weight of mediocrity
is a foot across my throat
The odor of arrogance soured, spilled
on youth steals my breath away
A memory lifted by laughter
of time spent on the roof
believing, knowing that I could fly
Maybe not today, but definitely
Remembering a boast, floating on
wings lifted by jet-streaming confidence
Five years would make me Royko
and 10, Ernest's ghost in new khakis
Tomorrow became today became yesterday
and no wings, no Parisian "Feast"
Sliced bread is still the greatest thing
God's gift going elsewhere, always
Now I laugh to cool the fire of tears
Drawn to the harsh light of my reality
crashing against dead dreams, knowing
that I am just ... just ... just ....

That was written more than 10 years ago, before my knees ached with every step.

Before my gut threatened bodily harm if I dared to try to lose weight.

Before my eyes began fighting their own personal battle between near-sightedness and far-sightedness, mocking my vain decision to ignore my wife's urging to get bifocals.

Back when "the boys next door" were just rhetorical fodder for entertaining conversation about my daughters, not actual monosyllabic shadows lurking in my garage each summer night.

Before I hit, you know, "middle age."

All of which raises an interesting, infuriating question: How does one measure progress at the midpoint of existence, as one slides inexorably down the other side of the hill of life?

Jeez, that last paragraph reads like such a downer. Sorry about that. But I mean it more as an honest inquiry. Just as parenting doesn't come with a manual, there are no clear directions about living.

Have goals and dreams, sure. Aspire to be the very best at whatever one does, absolutely. Faith in a higher power certainly lights life's path. A good family and friends provide support and love. A good job, if one is so blessed, helps to acquire the material things both necessary for daily living and wanted for entertainment and pleasure.

But what does it mean when one doesn't make all of ones goals? Or never rises to the top of his or her chosen field? Or finds faith lacking? Or has a lousy family? Or never seems to make enough money? Does that constitute failure? Or am I taking it all too seriously?

I guess I'll have to wait until I die - or for my good friend John's next CD - to learn the answer.

Hopefully, the new CD will arrive first.
Click HERE to read the article online.

 

John & Elaine Mellencamp with Michelle & Barack Obama 4-22-08 Campaign Rally, Roberts Stadium, Evansville, IN Photo By Brian Bruner for Mellencamp.com

“Pink Houses” proved the perfect entrance song when Sen. Joe Biden came out to accept the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nomination Wednesday night. But it was only the latest instance of a John Mellencamp song being used for campaign purposes.

Indeed, Mellencamp’s popularity with presidential aspirants has been widely noted. An Aug. 2 article in Newsweek reported that both Hillary Clinton and John Edwards used “Our Country” as a lead-in during the primary. Clinton also emerged to the strains of “Small Town” (Edwards’ 2004 campaign theme), according to a May 13 feature in the British daily The Guardian that even wondered if the 2008 election will one day be remembered as “The Battle for John ‘Cougar’ Mellencamp” (and actually suggested “Pink Houses” as “the perfect Mellencamp tune” for the eventual Democratic nominee).

In Newsweek, Mellencamp expressed surprise when Clinton capped her farewell speech in June with “Thank You,” an obscure original that he’d completely forgotten about—but has since added to his concert sets. However, the avowed Democrat was less enthused by Republican exploitation of his music: When John McCain started playing “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” at his rallies (clearly unaware of their populist themes), he was informed of Mellencamp’s progressive Democratic stands and immediately pulled them from his playlist. Fellow conservative contender Mike Huckabee likewise gave up his tie-in with “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”

Mellencamp, of course, has performed on behalf of Edwards, Clinton and Obama. He first met Obama, incidentally, at Farm Aid 2005 in Chicago.

 

Mellencamp Talks Truth From The Heart on New Disc

3.5 out of 4 Stars
Written by MATTHEW LAMBERT - Wednesday, 27 August 2008

With John Mellencamp’s latest release, Life Death Love and Freedom, we are introduced to yet another album reflecting the current state of our country as well as topics dealing with mortality, war, love and freedom. Mellencamp has taken a turn from the pop-like Freedom’s Road (2007) and created an album that often feels gloomy and bleak. The album is dominated by a folk-like sound, Mellencamp’s vocals and the strum of the guitar stand out amongst most of the tracks. Producer T. Bone Burnett provides instrumentation throughout the album, along with Andy York (guitars) Miriam Sturm (fiddle) Troye Kennett (keyboards) Dane Clark (drums) and John Gurnell (bass).

On the opener Longest Days, Mellencamp stars with rather ominous lyrics. “It seems like once upon a time ago/I was where I was supposed to be/My vision was true and my heart was too /There was no end to what I could dream /I walked like a hero into the setting sun /Everyone called out my name /Death to me was just a mystery /I was too busy raisin up Cain.” Pretty heavy stuff right off the bat, and Mellencamp maintains the feel for most of the album.

On Don’t Need This Body, a bluesy track with Mellencamp reflecting on his life. “Well all my friends are sick or dying/And I'm here all by myself/All I got left is a head full of memories/And a thought of my upcoming death.”

On Jena, the topic focus on the Jena Six controversy in Louisiana last year. The song itself has generated some controversy, with Jena’s mayor Murphy R. McMillin speaking out in protest to the song. In it Mellencamp sings, “So what becomes of boys that cannot think straight\Particularly those with paper bag skin\Yes sir, no sir, we'll wipe that smile right off your face\We've got our rules here and you must fit in” Mellencamp seems to be speaking against racism though, something the mayor may have missed.

On the last track, For the Children, we are given the theme of acceptance. Mellencamp seems to say be thankful for what we have, and not to hold a grudge for what has or hasn’t happen in life. This is one of the best tracks on the album, Karen Fairchild provides back-up vocals and helps create a rich harmony with Mellencamp. Andy York provides a simple strumming of the guitar which makes this track all the more enjoyable.

It’s no surprise that after more than thirty years, John Mellencamp can create and write songs with the best of them. After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, it shouldn’t be a surprise to expect quality material from an artist of his stature. Even for people who have never really followed his music, he creates tracks which are rich and easy to enjoy. He creates a solid album with Life Death Love and Freedom. While The 14-track album maintains a theme of darkness throughout, the instrumental layers and harmonies along with Mellencamp’s lyrics make it quite enjoyable.
Click HERE to read the article online.

 

Farm Aid today announced that its Sept. 20 New England music festival will be broadcast live on DIRECTV's The 101 Network, which reaches more than 17 million viewers. This broadcast will mark the first time that Farm Aid's annual benefit concert airs live in HD.

The show will broadcast from Farm Aid 2008 Presented by Whole Foods Market and Horizon Organic at the Comcast Center near Boston. The show will feature performances by Farm Aid president and founder Willie Nelson; board members Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews; as well as Kenny Chesney. Coverage on The 101 Network will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.

Farm Aid also announced that The Pretenders, moe., Arlo Guthrie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nation Beat, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jakob Dylan and The Gold Mountain Rebels, Danielle Evin, Jamey Johnson, Jesse Lenat, Will Dailey and One Flew South will join previously announced performers Nelson, Young, Mellencamp, Matthews and Chesney.
"This year we are excited to bring the Farm Aid experience to homes across the country, inviting viewers who can't make it to the show to join our celebration of music, good food and family farmers," said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid's executive director. "The generosity of all of the musicians who donate their performances on behalf of family farmers is an inspiration to the many viewers at home who also want to show their support. DIRECTV is generously leading the way, offering to match its subscribers' gifts from Sept. 6 to Sept. 30 up to $50,000."

In addition to stage performances, the broadcast will feature interviews with artists, farmers and food activists, clips from the pre-concert press event, exclusive backstage coverage and footage from Farm Aid's unique, interactive HOMEGROWN Village, which showcases the direct connection between who is growing our food and what we eat every day. The 7-hour broadcast will be filmed entirely in High Definition and air in 5.1 surround sound.

The 101 Network broadcast will also include an interactive application that allows viewers to learn more about Farm Aid, artists performing at the show and how they can find good food from family farmers. Viewers can access the interactive application by simply pressing the red button on their remote control during the live broadcast.

The show will rebroadcast in its entirety four times, the first starting immediately following the end of the live broadcast and then three more times on the Sunday, Sept. 21st.

About Farm Aid: Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
Click HERE to read the article online.

 

By now, John Mellencamp is used to hearing his songs on the Election 2008 soundtrack. McCain, Clinton and Edwards all used his patriotic "Our Country"—the one on the Chevy pickup ads—as whistle-stop walk-on music during the primaries. Clinton, Edwards and Obama also went for the iconic Mellencamp ditty "Small Town." Mike Huckabee tried to sell "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." while McCain picked "Pink Houses"—until he heard that Mellencamp is an ardent Democrat. Still, Mellencamp was surprised one day this June when he was watching Clinton on TV as she delivered her campaign farewell speech, which ended with a rocking number called "Thank You." "I thought, 'That's a pretty cool song.' Then I realized it was my song," Mellencamp says. "I called up one of the guys in my band, and I said, 'Did you hear that?' I put it on an album, never played it live and forgot about it."

Mellencamp loved the shout-out—and he's added "Thank You" to his concert set-list. But other musicians haven't been whistling Dixie when a politician co-opts their work. When McCain started using "Johnny B. Goode," Chuck Berry made a point of announcing his support for Obama. John Hall, formerly of the 1970s band Orleans and now a Democratic congressman from New York, threatened to send a cease-and-desist letter to McCain about "Still the One," just as he did four years earlier to President Bush. It's not just Republicans who've had to reshuffle their playlists: soul singer Sam Moore (of the 1960s group Sam and Dave) told Obama to hold off playing "Hold On, I'm Comin'." There is nothing illegal about playing a recorded song at most campaign events, if the candidate pays the royalty—the writer doesn't have to give permission. Mellencamp says he never actually asked McCain to quit using his songs. He uses a more, well, political tactic: "I'd just say, 'Look, are you aware that Mellencamp is very liberal and that he is supporting the Democratic Party, and do you think it's a good idea to use his material?' "

Historically, music had been presented to the candidates by the songwriters, not the other way around. As far back as the 1800 election with "Jefferson and Liberty," clever lyricists provided party loyalists with issue-based odes set to familiar tunes. In 1920, Al Jolson's pro-Harding tune "Harding, You're the Man for Us" appeared. Irving Berlin gave Eisenhower "I Like Ike." It wasn't until 1932, when Franklin Roosevelt declared "Happy Days Are Here Again" to distract the country from the Great Depression, that a presidential candidate employed an existing song for his campaign. When the musical connection clicks—such as the way Sinatra's "High Hopes" helped define JFK's candidacy, or the mileage Bill Clinton got from Fleetwood Mac's '70s hit "Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)"—it can make a major impact. So it's probably not surprising that the McCain and Obama camps aren't talking much about their next big musical moment: which songs they'll use at their conventions. Perhaps Obama will pick from among his current favorites, including Stevie Wonder, Brooks & Dunn and Bruce Springsteen. And McCain—well, he just had to remove the Frankie Valli background music from his popular "Obama Love" video. Maybe some day he'll find a song that doesn't have such a sad ending.
Click HERE to read the article online.

 

A multipage interview with John Mellencamp is included in the new issue of Rolling Stone magazine on store shelves now. The piece, titled "John Mellencamp's New Blues," is in issue #1059 dated August 21, 2008 featuring Robert Downey Jr. on the cover. In the piece, John discusses his new record, touring, family life, politics and living in Indiana. Click HERE to read an excerpt of the piece on Rolling Stone's website.

 

Enter for a chance to win an autographed Fender Squier Telecaster Guitar! 

Mellencamp.com is posting fan concert reviews of John’s current tour. Send your review(s)/blogs to help@mellencamp.com with the subject line of Fan Show Review.

July 25 Ford Center - Oklahoma City, OK
The OKC show was great, as was my front row VIP fan club seat! One of my favorites from LDL&F is "If I Die Sudden", and it sounds especially good LIVE! It was great to see Speck join the band for the encore again too. - Jean H.

July 30 Santa Barbara Bowl - Santa Barbara, CA Barbara County Bowl John Mellencamp rocked the house!! It was the best I have ever seen him!! He was enjoying the crowd, which was of course enjoying him. He played a great mix of old and new, Longest Days, Minutes to Memories and Jack and Diane, to name a few. The crowd willingly and loudly sang chorus for him with R.O.C.K in the U.S.A. - Barry McG.

July 31 Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
OMG!!! What a concert, the weather was perfect, The Greek is a very cool venue. I'm not sure if John had more fun or we did. He was in a awesome mood, smiling, joking, posing for pictures for us. - Carol

Aug 2 Greek Theatre - Berkeley, CA
I loved hearing just John and his guitar, thought the new songs were fantastic live, very powerful - Patricia G.

It was a beautiful, perfect night in Berkeley and the show itself was a fantastic end to John's US Tour! - Linda

Click HERE to read our first set of reviews.

Click HERE to read our second set of reviews.

"My Sweet Love" Video

 

Some of the best video clips to watch on the web are featured on John's official YouTube page. Click "Read More" to view some of the best clips.