John Mellencamp Community

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Considering his humble upbringing in Anderson, Indiana, Dane Clark has pounded out quite an impressive mark on the music business. During his career, Dane has played drums for an eclectic mix of artists including Steve Earle, Bob Woodruff, Carrie Newcomer, Kennedy Rose, Lisa Germano and Donovan. However, his most notable affiliation has been with the every man heartland rocker, John Mellencamp. Clark has anchored the rhythm section on several of Mellencamp’s albums, including his highly acclaimed and most recent CD, Freedom's Road.

While Dane is widely respected as an accomplished drummer, his versatility transcends any notion that his talents begin and end in the percussion section. Dane has produced Carl Storie’s self-titled album and Rusty Bladen's new Christmas album, while also working with some of Nashville's most decorated writers and producers including Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy.

Born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, I started playing the piano at age 8, the guitar at age 9, and drums at age 10. I sang my first original song at my 6th grade talent show, but lost to a one-legged ballet dancer! I took that defeat in stride and tenaciously kept chasing the muse.

After growing my hair long in high school, I immersed myself in the 1950’s beat poets like Kerouac and Ginsberg, as well as the 1960’s archetypes like Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, the Doors, and the Kinks. I then headed off to college on a music scholarship and graduated with a degree in percussion performance. I started doing session work as a drummer in the Indianapolis area, all the while continuing to hone the craft of songwriting. I joined John Mellencamp’s band in 1996 as a drummer and have enjoyed that position ever since.

I am a father to three wonderful daughters, Emily, Taylor and Abigail.

I have now put together a full blast rock combo to play the songs on the albums, which I wrote and produced. My hope for the future – "Dane Clark songs in every living room!”

http://www.daneclark.com

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It looks like Dane has been busy cowriting and producing country artist, Jason Sturgeon, a Bloomington, IN resident. Jason just released a new CD and is headed for Hot Country Nights in Louisville. A Q & A with Jason & some JM references, too!

I had seen some blurbs on Jason & Dane several months ago, and talked to Dane somewhat after the Windsor show. He really seemed excited about Jason.

I checked him out on myspace. He's very good!

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100820/SCENE04/308200035/1011/rss05

He is neither a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn nor a king, but rising country music star Jason Sturgeon does credit Frank Sinatra, among others, including George Strait, Alabama and Kenny Rogers, for musical influences throughout his life.

While Sinatra scored big with the title song from his album “That's Life,” Sturgeon, 32, hopes success comes knocking from the recent release of his debut album “That's Me” and Friday's opening-act performance at the Hot Country Nights concert at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville.

The Bloomington, Ind., resident's singing career had been sidetracked by stints as a farmer, a machinist, a college student, draftsman and a businessman. But ever since he was a 5-year-old singing for quarters at family gatherings, Sturgeon says, his dream has always been to be on stage crooning country songs.

Are you a laid-back country singer, or do you rock on stage?

I'm not sure I know how to be laid-back. Everything I do seems to be full throttle. When I'm on stage, I'm all over the place.

Your co-arranger and producer is Dane Clark. The Dane Clark from John Mellencamp fame?
That would be him! Dane's been in John's band for almost 15 years now primarily playing drums and percussion, but the guy is a musical animal on many different levels.
What's the chance of Mellencamp opening for you one day?

Ha! He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer! Hopefully I'll find some success out here on the road and get the opportunity to share the stage with him … although I think I'll be the one opening for his opener!

A photo taken with Dane after the Windsor show. I was with a Canadian resident I "met" in another artists' forum and suggested he catch JM at the casino (first time for him.) He was thrilled with the impromptu "M & G" we had in the bar afterwards.

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Dane & JM in Lincoln, NE opening for Bob Dylan (8.8.10)

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