John Mellencamp To Embark On A Canadian Sad Clowns & Hillbillies Tour Following two hugely-successful U.S. concert tours, John will set out once again this Fall for 20+ stops across Canada for his Sad Clowns & Hillbillies Tour. Hailed by critics and fans alike as one of Mellencamp’s most authentic and crowd pleasing concerts of his career, the tour will begin September 26th in Moncton, NB and span two months ending in Abbotsford, BC on November 14th. Read the complete press release on Mellencamp.com
JOHN MELLENCAMP CANADA 2018 TOUR DATES Sept. 26 - Moncton, NB - Moncton Events Centre Sept. 27 - Saint John, NB - Harbour Station Sept. 29 - Halifax, NS - Halifax Forum Oct. 2 - Ottawa, ON - TD Place Oct. 4 - Kingston, ON - Rogers K-Rock Centre Oct. 6 - Oshawa, ON - Tribute Communities Centre Oct. 7 - St. Catherine’s, ON - Meridian Centre Oct. 10 - Sudbury, ON - Sudbury Community Arena Oct.11 - Sault Ste Marie, ON - Essar Centre Oct.13 - Thunder Bay, ON - Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Oct. 23 - Winnipeg, MB - Bell MTS Place Oct. 24 - Brandon, MB - Keystone Centre Oct. 26 - Estevan, SK - Affinity Place Oct. 28 - Lethbridge, AB - Enmax Centre Oct. 29 - Saskatoon, SK - Sasktel Centre Nov. 1 - Cold Lake, AB - Imperial Oil Place Arena Nov. 3 - Dawson Creek, BC - Encana Events Centre Nov. 4 - Prince George, BC - CN Centre Nov. 6 - Kamloops, BC - Sandman Centre Nov. 7 - Cranbrook, BC - Western Financial Place Nov. 10 - Kelowna, BC - Prospera Place Nov. 12 - Victoria, BC - Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Nov. 14 - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Centre
Mellencamp.com Sad Clowns & Hillbillies Tour Ticket Information Public tickets will go on sale Friday, June 1st for the Canadian Sad Clowns and Hillbillies Fall Tour! Watch Mellencamp.com's TOUR page closely for updates.
PRE-SALES We will once again be offering pre-sale ticket access for free members of Mellencamp.com. Learn how to join and use our pre-sales HERE. Pre-sales begin on Wednesday, May 30th at 10:00 AM local time and last through Thursday, May 31st at 10:00 PM. Ticket limit will be 6 tickets per website member per show.
FRONT ROW VIP & DIAMOND VIP TICKET PACKAGES Will go on sale with our general ticket pre-sale Wednesday, May 30th at 10:00 AM local time LEARN MORE Package limit is 6 per person per show.
PUBLIC TICKETS The general public ticket on-sales are scheduled for Friday, June 1st at 10:00 AM local venue time . Purchase links will be available on Mellencamp.com's TOUR page.
John Mellencamp's Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theatre - Available TODAY On DVD+CD, Blu-Ray+CD, & Digital Formats!
Songwriter. Storyteller. Musician. Actor. Artist. Social Activist… These are just some words that come to mind when the name John Mellencamp is spoken. In addition to the full film with Mellencamp’s commentary, this audio visual release offers a “non-commentary” option (available in the Main Menu) in which viewers can watch the concert on its own. The audio visual set is completed with a component CD of concert audio. The set, which includes special guest Carlene Carter, showcases Mellencamp performing his most cherished songs. “Small Town,” “Minutes To Memories,” “Pop Singer,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Longest Days,” “Authority Song,” and “Pink Houses” are just some of the gems cherry-picked from his brilliant catalogue, as well as including songs from his most recent album Sad Clowns & Hillbillies. Read the complete press release on Mellencamp.com.
Blu-Ray + CD Edition DVD + CD Edition Digital Video Download Digital Audio Download
Remember to write a customer review on Amazon and give Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theater 5 Stars!
John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love and Freedom Exhibit Open Now! www.acagalleries.com John Mellencamp’s new art exhibition, Life, Death, Love, Freedom, opened at ACA Galleries on April 26, 2018 in New York. The media coverage of the new works added to John's catalog have been amazing read them HERE! This is Mellencamp’s second solo exhibition with the gallery, and will showcase two bodies of work: Mellencamp’s sculptural assemblages and series of portraits. Head to the ACA Gallery to view paintings currently on exhibit. For all purchase inquires please contact the gallery.
“Mellencamp paints handsomely grotesque portraits in oil that are as solemn and stirring as his hit songs are catchy and inspirational -- depicting existential scenes and human beings ridden with the angst of the everyday” notes critic Doug McClemont.
John Mellencamp - Paintings and Assemblages New Website www.johnmellencampart.com Have you visited John Mellencamp Paintings and Assemblages new art site featuring larger images and higher quality photos of John's extensive catalog of works ranging from present day going back to 1988? Many of these works have never been seen before! Check out the progression of John's artistry over the years. Paintings are being added on an on-going basis as they get digitally photographed, so be sure to visit the site often! Any and all art related news, information, reviews and gallery events will be posted to this site. Visit today!
Thank you for your continued support!! TonyB & SharonC - The Mellencamp.com Web Team - [email protected]
This is directed to John and crew - Thank you so much for having the DVD/CD set shipped out so quickly. I received mine today, the day after it was released! I haven't had a chance to watch and listen to it as yet, but I'm sure it's great!
At age 66, John Mellencamp probably never asked himself this question. Yet despite his indifference to the whole idea of fame — his aversion to it, actually — that is what he has become. Go figure.
For example, where most superstar wannabes have tried to hasten their success by putting out a live album early in their careers, Mellencamp always shied away from the idea. “For years I’ve been asked, ‘When are you going to put out a live performance DVD?’” he says, his voice a quiet rasp over the phone. “I didn’t want to do that. I don’t think you can capture what a person does onstage, put it in a box and expect that it even remotely resembles what happened that night in that room.”
Why, then, did he reconsider after all these years and decide to release Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre on Friday? Because he found a way to do something different with it.
“Growing up, I used to listen to a radio show in the 1960s with this guy who would just do a monologue all night long,” Mellencamp explains. “I can’t remember his name; I think he was from Texas. But he’d just talk about whatever he wanted to talk about. That’s what I decided to do.”
Plain Spoken comes in several formats — DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD and digital. More important, it offers two experiences. One is a traditional concert, capturing Mellencamp and his band as they deliver a spirited career-spanning set. The other is exactly the same except for a voiceover from Mellencamp, in which he reflects on his history and the issues that concern him in these fractious times. He also muses on learning to love, a lifelong exercise that culminates in his ongoing relationship with actress Meg Ryan. As he explains it, “I had one foot out the door most of my life. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve pretty much run out of places to run to.”
Improvised over a two-day period, this monologue doesn’t comment specifically on songs as much as reflect on his creative methodology. Engineer Mark Stebbeds then spent the summer at Mellencamp’s Indiana home, arranging the content into what the artist describes as an arc. From an opening admonition to “keep it small but keep going” to an affirmation of taking responsibility for all his endeavors, Mellencamp reveals much not only about his music but also his passion for visual art.
“I got a great compliment the other day,” he says. “A guy told me, ‘I own one of your paintings. I look at it every day. And every day it says something different.’ That’s why I don’t view paintings as static images. To me, they’re just like music, except they take longer. If you’re going to fret over a song for as many hours as you put into a painting, you might as well start writing a different song.”
In his visual work, much of it currently on display at the ACA Gallery in New York City, and his music, Mellencamp bares his feelings freely — perhaps more politically provocative in the visual realm, a bit more abstractly in his lyrics. “I can be a little more on the nose with painting than I can with songs,” he admits. “With songs, it’s not about me. I make them about the listener. A song has to start somewhere between your legs, go to your heart and then to your head. It entertains and informs — and you can dance to it. That, to me, is the perfect song.”
Announcing John's New Website: Paintings and Assemblages We are absolutely thrilled to announce the new art focused website John Mellencamp Paintings and Assemblages, featuring larger images and higher quality photos of John's extensive catalog of works ranging from present day going back to 1988. Many of these works have never been seen before! Check out the progression of John's artistry over the years. Paintings are being added on an on-going basis as they get digitally photographed, so be sure to visit the site often! Any and all art related news, information, reviews and gallery events will be posted to this site. Visit today! https://www.johnmellencampart.com/
John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love And Freedom Exhibit On View April 26th - June 2nd We are pleased to announce contemporary artist John Mellencamp’s new exhibition, Life, Death, Love, Freedom, opening at ACA Galleries on April 26, 2018 in New York City. This is Mellencamp’s second solo exhibition with the gallery, and will showcase two bodies of work: Mellencamp’s sculptural assemblages and series of portraits. Read the complete press release on John Mellencamp Paintings and Assemblages. https://www.johnmellencampart.com/news/john-mellencamp-life-death-love-and-freedom-exhibit-on-view-april-26th-june-2nd
“Mellencamp paints handsomely grotesque portraits in oil that are as solemn and stirring as his hit songs are catchy and inspirational -- depicting existential scenes and human beings ridden with the angst of the everyday” notes critic Doug McClemont..."
Bob Morris - Author, Curator And Contributor To The New York Times - Mellencamp Interview Bob Morris visited John at his art studio in Indiana to speak with him about his life as a painter, his development of his paintings and assemblages, and to view his latest works that will be on exhibit at the ACA Galleries in New York City April 26th - June 2nd. Read this fascinating interview on John Mellencamp Paintings and Assemblages. https://www.johnmellencampart.com/news/bob-morris-author-curator-and-contributor-to-the-new-york-times-mellencamp-interview
"Like the characters in the Steinbeck and Faulkner novels he admired in his youth and the dustbowl inflected songs of Woody Guthrie, he paints about alienation and struggle more than joy or ease..."
John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love And Freedom Exhibit On View April 26th - June 2nd We are pleased to announce contemporary artist John Mellencamp’s new art exhibition, Life, Death, Love, Freedom, opening at ACA Galleries on April 26, 2018 in New York. This is Mellencamp’s second solo exhibition with the gallery, and will showcase two bodies of work: Mellencamp’s sculptural assemblages and series of portraits.
“Mellencamp paints handsomely grotesque portraits in oil that are as solemn and stirring as his hit songs are catchy and inspirational -- depicting existential scenes and human beings ridden with the angst of the everyday” notes critic Doug McClemont.
Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theatre Premieres On AXS TV This Sunday April 22nd John Mellencamp’s musical odyssey, Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre surpasses the confines of a concert film or documentary – it’s a portrait of one of music’s most celebrated songwriters. The cinematic film presents John Mellencamp, with his full band, performing at the landmark Chicago Theater on October 25, 2016, just 250 miles to his home in Bloomington, IN.
Tune in to watch them perform some of his most cherished songs including “Small Town,” “Minutes to Memories,” “Pop Singer,” “Longest Days,” “The Full Catastrophe,” “Rain on the Scarecrow,” “Paper in Fire,” “Authority Song,” “Pink Houses,” and “Cherry Bomb”. Make sure to set your DVR for the full concert this Sunday 10e/9c on AXS TV!
John Is The Featured Guest On The Big Interview With Dan Rather Premieres April 24th Next Tuesday, John sits down with Dan Rather for a no holds barred interview touching on politics, race relations, and the state of the country on AXS TV at 9pm EST. Do not miss this incredible interview! Watch a preview of the interview below.
John Mellencamp's Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theatre - Available May 11th On DVD+CD, Blu-Ray+CD, & Digital Formats - Pre Order Now! Songwriter. Storyteller. Musician. Actor. Artist. Social Activist… These are just some words that come to mind when the name John Mellencamp is spoken. On May 11th, fans will have the ability to get a deeper look at this artist when Eagle Rock Entertainment proudly presents Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre. In addition to the full film with Mellencamp’s commentary, this audio visual release offers a “non-commentary” option (available in the Main Menu) in which viewers can watch the concert on its own. The audio visual set is completed with a component CD of concert audio. The set, which includes special guest Carlene Carter, showcases Mellencamp performing his most cherished songs. “Small Town,” “Minutes To Memories,” “Pop Singer,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Longest Days,” “Authority Song,” and “Pink Houses” are just some of the gems cherry-picked from his brilliant catalogue, as well as including songs from his most recent album Sad Clowns & Hillbillies. Read the complete press release on Mellencamp.com.
Pre-order NOW! DVD+CD and Blu-Ray+CD. - Remember to write a customer review on Amazon and give Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theater 5 Stars!
John Mellencamp Part Of The Johnny Cash: Forever Words Collaborative Album Available Now! John Mellencamp celebrates The Man In Black on the Johnny Cash: Forever Words' project. This album features 16 new songs based on unknown poetry, letters, and lyrics written by Cash. The album features John and band performing "Them Double Blues."
When Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash passed, they left behind what John Carter Cash, their son and Johnny Cash: Forever Words co-producer, describes as a "monstrous amassment” of things, including a treasure trove of undiscovered material that includes Johnny Cash’s handwritten letters, poems and documents, penned across the entirety of his life. Click HERE to learn more about the back story on John's track, as well as to listen. Purchase the album now HERE.
Thank you for your continued support!! TonyB & SharonC - The Mellencamp.com Web Team - [email protected]
John Mellencamp celebrates The Man In Black on the 'Johnny Cash: Forever Words' project. This album features 16 new songs based on unknown poetry, letters, and lyrics written by Cash. The album features John and band performing "Them Double Blues."
When Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash passed, they left behind what John Carter Cash, their son and Johnny Cash: Forever Words co-producer, describes as a "monstrous amassment” of things, including a treasure trove of undiscovered material that includes Johnny Cash’s handwritten letters, poems and documents, penned across the entirety of his life. Purchase the album now
HERE
“…The star's singing voice and speaking voice become an engaging duet,
revealing the deeper meanings and motivations behind a great singer-songwriter's
work.”
-The Los Angeles Times
“(Mellencamp) leads a stellar band through the hallmarks of his own career,
while a voice speaks of the passion, excitement, triumph, and trouble of youth
creates a contrast that is thrilling.- No Depression
New York, NY—Songwriter. Storyteller. Musician. Actor. Artist. Social
Activist… These are just some words that come to mind when the name John
Mellencamp is spoken. On May 11, fans will have the ability to get a deeper look
at this artist when Eagle Rock Entertainment proudly presents Plain Spoken: From
The Chicago Theatre on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, and digital formats.
“Try to keep it as plain spoken as possible…” those are some of the first
words the viewer hears in Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre. A
self-narrated musical journey, the film encapsulates the sound and soul of John
Mellencamp. Stepping outside the boundaries of a concert film or documentary,
Plain Spoken blends highly personal voice-overs from Mellencamp with live
footage of him performing with his full band at the historic Chicago Theatre,
just 250 miles from his native Indiana. He tells us the story of his Midwestern
upbringing, the trials, turns and triumphs of his career, and his overall
outlook on life while the music plays, supporting his stories. The result is the
essence of John Mellencamp, delivered fully on-screen.
In addition to the full film with Mellencamp’s commentary, this audio visual
release offers a “non-commentary” option (available in the Main Menu) in which
viewers can watch the concert on its own. The audio visual set is completed with
a component CD of concert audio. The set, which includes special guest Carlene
Carter, showcases Mellencamp performing his most cherished songs. “Small Town,”
“Minutes To Memories,” “Pop Singer,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Longest Days,” “Authority
Song,” and “Pink Houses” are just some of the gems cherry-picked from his
brilliant catalogue, as well as including songs from his most recent album Sad
Clowns And Hillbillies.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, John Mellencamp has elevated his
legacy from pop star to one of the most highly-respected songwriters of a
generation. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, “The Souls of the
People” John Steinbeck Award, and will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of
Fame on June 14, 2018, among many other prestigious honors. He has achieved a
total of 22 Top 40 hits in addition to earning the record for the “Most #1
tracks by a solo artist on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks” chart.
Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre serves as a stunning cinematic
experience that offers a welcoming, intimate glimpse into the words and wisdom
of John Mellencamp.
TRACK LISTING:
1.) Lawless Times
2.) Troubled Man
3.) Minutes To Memories
4.) Small Town
5.) Stones In My Passway
6.) Pop Singer
7.) Check It Out
8.) Longest Days
9.) The Full Catastrophe
10.) My Soul’s Got Wings
11.) Overture
12.) Rain On The Scarecrow
13.) Paper In Fire
14.) Authority Song
15.) Pink Houses
16.) Cherry Bomb
ABOUT JOHN MELLENCAMP
John Mellencamp’s career in music, spanning more than 35 years, has seen him
transition from pop star to one of the most highly respected singer/songwriters
of a generation. Mellencamp is incredibly acclaimed; a recent nominee to the
Songwriters Hall of Fame, he is also member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a
Grammy winner, a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation’s
Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award and Americana Music Association's
Lifetime Achievement Award and more recently, the Founders Award, the top honor
assigned by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He is
also one of the most successful live concert performers in the world. The social
activism reflected in his songs helped catalyze Farm Aid, the concert series and
organization that has addressed the struggle of American family farmers for more
than 25 years. John Mellencamp’s latest album, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies,
featuring Carlene Carter, is his 23rd over the course of a remarkable career and
was released on April 28, 2017. Sad Clowns & Hillbillies returns Mellencamp to
the musical eclecticism that is, itself, a reflection of his wide-ranging
musings on life and showcases a poet who has wisely used the years between youth
and the present day to become an absolute master of songwriting and
interpretation. That passion and experience resonates most beautifully in this
showcase of his music. John also wrote the title song for the upcoming film, The
Yellow Birds.
John continues to focus on another facet of his artistic expression:
painting. His style has progressed over the years as evidenced by several
gallery shows and published portfolios, and in recent years he has increased his
output by completing over 100 new works. His pieces were shown in 2012 at the
Tennessee State Museum in Nashville under the under the title “Nothing Like I
Planned: The Art Of John Mellencamp” and, more recently at the Butler Institute
of American Art in an exhibition entitled “The Paintings Of John Mellencamp.”
“The Paintings of John Mellencamp” traveled to the Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida
and John’s art was showcased at the ACA Gallery in New York. The unique
instrumentation of his band and his poignant songs about everyday life in the
American heartland, are widely credited with being the forbearer of the
Americana/No Depression genre of rural-inflected music. An extraordinary
collaboration performed by an ensemble cast of 15 actors and a four-piece live
band, comprised of members of John Mellencamp’s band is The Ghost Brothers of
Darkland County, a musical with music and lyrics by John Mellencamp, a libretto
by author Stephen King and production by T Bone Burnett. The show is being
further developed in London, though King and Mellencamp are no longer as
actively involved. Mellencamp continues his journey as the walking embodiment of
heartland rock; passionate, plain-spoken, and a self-proclaimed rebel.
ABOUT EAGLE ROCK
Eagle Rock Entertainment is the world’s largest producer and distributor of
music programming for TV, DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital Media. Eagle produces quality
HD programs, both concerts and documentaries, directly alongside artists
including Imagine Dragons, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, The Rolling Stones, Pink
Floyd, The Who, Queen, and Peter Gabriel. Eagle is a multiple Grammy® Award
winner and has received numerous multi-platinum sales awards around the world.
Eagle Vision is headquartered in London, and is a Universal Music Group company.
ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS
A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic
Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends
and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Aminé, Black Sabbath, DNCE,
Florence + the Machine, Gotye, Hailee Steinfeld, James Blake, James Bay, John
Mellencamp, Jordan Smith, Julia Michaels, Keith Richards, Kid Cudi, Liam Payne,
Marian Hill, Of Monsters and Men, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder,
and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is
also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings
(The Avett Brothers, Towkio), Boominati Worldwide (Metro Boomin), Brushfire
(Jack Johnson), Casablanca Records (Giorgio Moroder, KUNGS, Tïesto), Cash Money
(Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj), Hollywood Records (Sofia Carson, Zendaya), Lava
Records (Greta Van Fleet, Jessie J, Lorde), Monkeywrench (Pearl Jam), XO (The
Weeknd), Roc Nation (Belly, Justine Skye, The Dream), Tuff Gong (Damian Marley),
Victor Victor Records (D Savage, Ski Mask The Slump God), among others. Republic
also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with country powerhouse Big
Machine Records (Taylor Swift), and Universal Music Latin Entertainment (Luis
Fonsi, J Balvin). In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile
soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey, SING), Fox TV (Lee
Daniels' STAR), and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and
television franchises.
John Mellencamp To Be Inducted Into The Songwriters Hall of Fame
John will be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 14, at the 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner in New York City. The 2018 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees "is a prodigious representation of creators of cross-genre hits, certain to resonate with everyone," said SHOF co-chairs Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff. President/CEO Linda Moran says "each year, the slate of songwriters we induct is more diverse and illustrative of the history and contributions that we strive to acknowledge and honor. We could not be more excited to preside over this year’s event and to give these songwriters their due respect." Read the official press release with a complete list the inductees on Mellencamp.com.
Watch John's Moving Performance On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
John was the musical guest performing a moving "Easy Target" off his most recent release Sad Clowns & Hillbillies on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday night. Watch this incredible performance below and read the Associated Press article covering the performance.
John Mellencamp - Plain Spoken From The Chicago Theatre - Available On Netflix Now!
“My vision was true, and my heart was too. And there was no end to what I could dream. Life is short, even in its longest days.”
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp’s self-narrated musical odyssey, Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre surpasses the confines of a concert film or documentary – it’s a portrait of one of music’s most celebrated songwriters. The cinematic film presents John Mellencamp, with his full band, performing at the landmark Chicago Theatre on October 25, 2016, just 250 miles to his home in Bloomington, Indiana. The footage, serving as an undercurrent to his story, is blanketed with highly personal voice-overs from the man himself on his Midwestern upbringing, career, and his outlook on life. It’s more than watching John Mellencamp live – it’s experiencing John Mellencamp.
With special guest Carlene Carter adding to the set, Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre presents live versions of John Mellencamp’s cherished songs, as well as taking viewers on an intimate and personalized journey. Read the complete press release on Mellencamp.com.
When you watch Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theatre be sure to give it a thumbs up rating and write a review on Netflix.com!
John Mellencamp’s self-narrated musical odyssey, Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theater surpasses the confines of a concert film or documentary – it’s a portrait of one of music’s most celebrated songwriters. The cinematic film presents John Mellencamp, with his full band, performing at the landmark Chicago Theater on October 25, 2016, just 250 miles to his home in Bloomington, IN. The footage, serving as an undercurrent to his story, is blanketed with highly personal voice-overs from the man himself on his Midwestern upbringing, career, and his outlook on life. It’s more than watching John Mellencamp live – it’s experiencing John Mellencamp.
With special guest Carlene Carter adding to the set, Plain Spoken: From The Chicago Theater presents live versions of John Mellencamp’s cherished songs, as well as taking viewers on an intimate and personalized journey.
~AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX STARTING FEBRUARY 1, 2018~
To date, Mellencamp has been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® in 2008 and recently nominated for The Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition, he co-founded Farm Aid in 1985, which went on to raise over $50 million to support family farms nationwide by 2017. One of the most successful live concert performers in the world, John is also a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, Billboard Century Award, Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Founders Award, the top honor assigned by ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. In addition to critical acclaim, Mellencamp has landed a total of 22 Top 40 hits in addition to earning the record for the “most #1 tracks by a solo artist on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks” chart. Recently, his 23rd full-length album Sad Clowns & Hillbillies featuring Carlene Carter -bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top American Albums Chart, #3 on the Top Rock Albums Chart (his best entry in a decade), and #5 on the Top Albums Chart. In addition, it became his fifth consecutive Top 20 album.
ABOUT JOHN MELLENCAMP John Mellencamp’s career in music, spanning more than 35 years, has seen him transition from pop star to one of the most highly respected singer/songwriters of a generation. Mellencamp is incredibly acclaimed; a recent nominee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he is also member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy winner for “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance” in 1982 with 13 Grammy nominations to date, a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award and Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award and more recently, the Founders Award, the top honor assigned by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He is also one of the most successful live concert performers in the world. The social activism reflected in his songs helped catalyze Farm Aid, the concert series and organization that has addressed the struggle of American family farmers for more than 25 years. John Mellencamp’s upcoming full-length album, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, featuring Carlene Carter, is his 23rd over the course of a remarkable career. Released on April 28, 2017 followed by a summer tour in major cities across the country. Sad Clowns & Hillbillies returns Mellencamp to the musical eclecticism that is, itself, a reflection of his wide-ranging musings on life and showcases a poet who has wisely used the years between youth and the present day to become an absolute master of songwriting and interpretation. That passion and experience resonates most beautifully in this showcase of his music. John also wrote the title song for the upcoming film, The Yellow Birds.
John continues to focus on another facet of his artistic expression: painting. His style has progressed over the years as evidenced by several gallery shows and published portfolios, and in recent years he has increased his output by completing over 100 new works. His pieces were shown in 2012 at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville under the under the title “Nothing Like I Planned: The Art Of John Mellencamp” and, more recently at the Butler Institute of American Art in an exhibition entitled “The Paintings Of John Mellencamp.” “The Paintings of John Mellencamp” traveled to the Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida and John’s art was showcased at the ACA Gallery in New York. The unique instrumentation of his band and his poignant songs about everyday life in the American heartland, are widely credited with being the forbearer of the Americana/No Depression genre of rural-inflected music. An extraordinary collaboration performed by an ensemble cast of 15 actors and a four-piece live band, comprised of members of John Mellencamp’s band is The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a musical with music and lyrics by John Mellencamp, a libretto by author Stephen King and production by T Bone Burnett. Mellencamp continues his journey as the walking embodiment of heartland rock; passionate, plain-spoken, and a self-proclaimed rebel.
ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic Records is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Aminé, Black Sabbath, DNCE, Florence + the Machine, Gotye, Hailee Steinfeld, James Blake, James Bay, John Mellencamp, Jordan Smith, Julia Michaels, Keith Richards, Kid Cudi, Liam Payne, Marian Hill, Of Monsters and Men, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Stevie Wonder, and more. Founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, it is also comprised of innovative business ventures, including American Recordings (The Avett Brothers, Towkio), Boominati Worldwide (Metro Boomin), Brushfire (Jack Johnson), Casablanca Records (Giorgio Moroder, KUNGS, Tïesto), Cash Money (Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj), Hollywood Records (Sofia Carson, Zendaya), Lava Records (Greta Van Fleet, Jessie J, Lorde), Monkeywrench (Pearl Jam), XO (The Weeknd), Roc Nation (Belly, Justine Skye, The Dream), Tuff Gong (Damian Marley), Victor Victor Records (D Savage, Ski Mask The Slump God), among others. Republic also maintains a long-standing strategic alliance with country powerhouse Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift), and Universal Music Latin Entertainment (Luis Fonsi, J Balvin). In addition, Republic has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades of Grey, SING), Fox TV (Lee Daniels' STAR), and NBC TV (The Voice), as well as other notable film and television franchises.
Willl John continue to tour in 2018 maybe extending his Sad Clowns and Hillbillies tour or any new music upcoming that he will be rolling out and rolling from city to city to get the music to us all?
The last 10 years or so have been busy for John, rarely taking time off. Do you think John will lay low for 2018, or what do you think his plans are? He has not taken a year off in recent memory..
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presents a special exhibit on the life, art and music of John Mellencamp. Opening November 10, 2016 in the Ahmet Ertegun Main Exhibition Hall, MELLENCAMP tells story of a complex artist who forged his own path – transforming from manager-named “Johnny Cougar” to self-possessed John Mellencamp, a music and visual artist, a champion of heartland values, and an advocate for American farmers.
The exhibit is comprised mainly of artifacts from Mellencamp’s personal collection. Among the over 100 items on display include: • His 1966 Silver Honda Scrambler 305 motorcycle • Personal photographs and ephemera • Original handwritten lyrics to “Small Town,” “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Pop Singer,” and "Longest Days" (“Life is Short”) • Mellencamp’s main Dove acoustic guitar used in his songwriting sessions and live performances from the 70s through 90s. • Items related to the recording of his most successful song “Jack & Diane” • Performance outfits • Six of his original paintings • Selections from an exclusive multi-hour interview with Mellencamp done specifically for the exhibition
“John Mellencamp is one of rock and roll’s most enduring artists,” said Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock Hall. “His authenticity and ability to tell stories that resonate with multiple generations of fans is a testament to his art.”
“In working closely with John Mellencamp to create this exhibit, it was very clear that he embodies what rock and roll is all about – rebellion, being true to yourself, and of course, making great music,” says Karen Herman, Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Not many people know that he’s an accomplished painter, and it was important to bring that element in. Fans can truly see that he’s embraced the life of a true and complex artist.”
“I would like this exhibit to let people know, or discover, that I really have spent my entire life living the way that I want to live, and doing what I want to do,” Mellencamp says. “And, that I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world for being able to do that.”
Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, alongside the Dave Clark Give, Leonard Cohen, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Little Walter, Madonna, and the Ventures. As a co-founder of Farm Aid, he has helped give a voice and raise money for dispossessed farm families. He continues to tour and impact the musical landscape, and his influence is shown through today’s artists like Jason Aldean, Zac Brown & Keith Urban.
ABOUT THE ROCK HALL Rock Connects Us. Our mission is clear and simple: To engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. We share stories of the people, events and songs that shape our world through exhibits, innovative programs and concerts. Join the millions of other people who love it as much as you do. It’s a celebration of fans like you. Experience it live or online – Visitrockhall.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@rock_hall) and Instagram (@rockhall). Long Live Rock!
Today, reverb launched the Official Mike Wanchic Reverb Shop, packed with guitars, amps, mics, and more that Wanchic used on countless records and tours during the last four decades. Like his classic rock pedigree might suggest, the shop is full of tasteful vintage gems.
Most of the gear you’ll find in the shop was kept by Wanchic in his recently closed Echo Park Studios, where Ben Folds, Howie Day, and other artists have recorded. Outside of his guitar playing with Mellencamp, Wanchic is an accomplished producer and engineer. He told us that no matter how important to him this gear is, his real motivation in selling is to make sure that every piece that he no longer has time to play finds a new home with a loving owner.
An example would be the 1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard he has owned for 43 years. According to Wanchic, the guitar appeared on 1980’s Nothin' Matters and What If It Did, 1982’s American Fool, the associated world tours, and more. "It's a sentimental one," he said.
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