Speakin' the truth, Mellencamp style

Like Washington, Lincoln and Franklin, John Mellencamp is a true leader. He knows the best way to address an audience: rock and roll. No other president can sing with soul, play a mean guitar, write a No. 1 song, dance and put on a kick-butt show.\nMellencamp proved he can do it all and more live at Assembly Hall on Sunday. Mellencamp is a leader, joker, lover and, best of all, a Hoosier. Before his congregation, Mellencamp strutted on stage like James Dean in a faded blue-jean suit and black tank top. When he sang, he spoke the truth, because that's what the voters wanted. \nAssembly Hall was filled to the very brim with common folk who were already cheering before the commander in chief walked on stage. In this world, where you can't even trust your own president, Mellencamp is as honest as he is powerful in his songwriting and performing. I don't look for the truth in election candidates anymore, when the real story is told through rock and roll. Mellencamp is the spokesperson for the "Small Town" I live in, and I support his efforts. \nMellencamp sings for the rights of the American people. "Pink Houses" was Sunday's national anthem, and everyone pledged. Behind the stage hung a ripped American flag and a quote from Albert Einstein: "You can not simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." \nMellencamp comforts people in their time of need. There was a group of six or seven sloppy drunks next to me howling and humping all over each other. They were falling over their chairs and knocking against people. Mellencamp and his band of eight were giving them a powerful 2,000-watt fuse to let out the devils inside of them. The assembly was in total control throughout the concert, with thundering kick drum, booming backbeat, power chords, tight melodies and beautiful back-up singers who could do the swim and the watusi like Rayettes and shake the maracas like bats out of hell. \nMellencamp teaches principles. He educates the illiterate in rock and roll while still upholding patriotic values, "R-o-c-k in the USA." Mellencamp's lyrics also philosophize the conditions of human suffering and resources in the song, "Minutes to Memories." In the song "Jack and Diane," John contemplates the ideals of adulthood and the thrills of youth. In his latest hit song, "Peaceful World," Mellencamp professes that equality and harmony are the keys to the future. \nMellencamp has guts. He is proud that he lives in Bloomington. During the concert, Mellencamp and his band did an impromptu unplugged-style session that highlighted Mellencamp and a back-up singer dueting on the remixed soft ballad, "Small Town." At the end their voices were beautifully united, "It'll probably be where they'll bury me." It was tremendously moving and soulful. \nMellencamp barely broke a sweat as he gave every ounce of voice he had to his performance, not missing a note. I was amazed how much stamina he had and will continue to maintain during 11 concerts in the next 20 days. I'm not sure how political Mellencamp is, but if he can't win over an audience with his words, singing, dancing, guitar playing and presidential qualities, he'll just kick their butt.