Hoosier rocker returns

Assembly Hall will be rocking long before the basketball team has an opportunity to grace the floor. Sunday, Nov. 3, will bring local legend John Mellencamp to the Assembly Hall for what promises to be a memorable stop on his fall tour.\nMellencamp, who has recorded some of the most powerful American anthems in the recent decade will be promoting his most recent album "Cuttin' Heads" when his tour swings by Bloomington, a press release said.\nTickets go on sale for IU students this 10 a.m. Friday. \nReserved tickets will go on sale for $38 to the public and $34 to IU students. Tickets will be available at the IU Auditorium Box Office, the Student Activities Desk in the IMU, online at www.cc.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or Charge-By-Phone in Bloomington at 333-9955.\nUnion Board concerts director Adam Blake, a junior, said he is pleased the Union Board could make this concert happen.\n"We're extremely excited because this is an incredible opportunity to see Mellencamp in his prime," Blake said. "When I saw he was touring this fall I couldn't think of anyone better to bring home to Bloomington."\nBlake said the Mellencamp performance is essential to student life.\n"An IU education would not be complete without seeing Mellencamp do what he does best at IU's very own Assembly Hall," Blake said. "I expect exactly what John Mellencamp has already proven he can do, perform a high energy rock concert to sold-out audiences."\nAlong with assistance from Clear Channel Entertainment, the student-operated Union Board was able to lure Mellencamp to IU.\nAndy Wilson, public relations director for Clear Channel Entertainment, was thrilled with the prospect of assisting Union Board and attaining the Mellencamp concert.\n"We've had a relationship and worked with the Union Board for years," Wilson said. "It's a great opportunity for IU and the students involved to work on an event of this magnitude. We're very happy to be a part of it."\nUnion Board Advisor, Doug Booher, said he could not be more proud of the work the Union Board staff has done.\n"These are full time students who bring these shows to town; they dedicate their time so all students can enjoy concerts and events such as this one," Booher said. "We are all real excited for the students who will get to see a true showman in a full scale concert on Nov. 3"