When we were working on our Midwest State of Mind designs, one of our team members brought up John Mellencamp. Born in Indiana. Lives in Bloomington. As Midwest as it gets.
In the 70's, when he was in his teen years, he was performing in local bars.
In 1982 he had the best-selling album, American Fool, that featured "Hurts So Good" and "Jack & Diane."
Of course he did Farm Aid...it was his people.
Heart attack in 1994. Slow him down? No. Started touring again in 1997.
In 2000, he toured the country, performing on street corners and public parks (Good Samaritan Tour). How many artists have done that?
Released the single "Wasted Days" with Bruce Springsteen in 2021.
He is an accomplished painter. https://www.mellencamp.com/paintings
An old neighbor works for Mellencamp and has quite a few his paintings. They are very very good.
Midwest is honest, trustworthy...born of farming generations where everything is black & white decision-making. Hard work. Grit. It is diversity & fighting for what is right. It is artistic beauty. It is fighting through life's challenges. It is neighbors. It is compassion. It is family. It is living life. It is Mellencamp.
Here is our tribute photo with our new Indiana design. Midwest. Mellencamp.