R.O.C.K. in B-Town

Terry Tomlin remembers listening to John Mellencamp play at the Bluebird for $1.75. With hands clapping and the sounds of "Jack and Diane" blasting in the background, Tomlin joined Mellencamp fans from across several generations who came together at The City Grille Thursday night to hear their local hero rock out.\nWith all eyes fixated on the big screen TV's, loud eruptions of each chorus of "Jack and Diane" came from the crowd.\nSmiles grew as each song played like they were right alongside Mellencamp down the street at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, where a concert was being taped for A&E's "Live By Request" series.\n"I followed John in the early (1970s), and even though he doesn't know my name, I sure know his," Tomlin said. "His unrelentless thrust against the system is what I really like. He's just an all-around American guy, and he's never changed himself or his principles."\nThe show allowed viewers and fans from across the country, Canada, Mexico and Latin America to call and e-mail in their requests hoping to get a chance to speak to their favorite musician.\nExecutive producer of "Live by Request" Andy Kadison called Bloomington "Mellencamp central."\n"It was really important for us to do (the concert) in John's backyard and get the feeling of his artistry and songwriting relating to his inspirational background," he said. "I think that 'Live by Request' serves as a wonderful exclamation point for an artist to do bigger and better things." \nCallers from all over the country praised Mellencamp for his service to the musical world.\n"Oh my God. I am the biggest fan. Oh my god," the first caller screamed. "I'm so excited. You are the best songwriter in America. You make me proud to be an American."\nMellencamp, a native of Seymour, Ind., opened the show with "Small Town," a fitting and favorite song of many of the patrons at the restaurant. \n"John's pretty much a local homeboy," Tomlin said. "So sitting here and being able to watch him is going to be really cool."\nAs each song finished, applause and cheers from the crowd grew louder as people picked up cell phones to request their favorite songs.\nCindy Darnall, a resident of Jeffersonville, Ind., was hoping to get tickets to see Mellencamp live. Darnall, a fan since 1979 said she started liking Mellencamp after listening to his 1982 album American Fool and has been a fan ever since. Although she has never met Mellencamp personally, she knows people who have.\n"I, unfortunately, have never had a touch with greatness," she said. "I've got the seven degrees of John Mellencamp."\nMellencamp's followers spanned several decades, including a crowd of IU students who came together to watch one of their favorite musicians play.\nWhether it was his songwriting, music, memories from local concerts or boyish good looks, everyone who came to The City Grille praised Mellencamp's humble demeanor.\n"He's one of those guys you see on the street and you take a double-take," said senior Rachel Rivard. "He's a fun guy, and he's laid back just like anyone else you'd ever meet here. He truly is the small town hero."\nBloomington resident Tom Keough remembers seeing Mellencamp shoot the video for "I'm Not Running Anymore" on the steps of the Monroe County Courthouse.\n"It was freezing, everyone was bundled up there. It was so cold, and I was just walking by," he said. "They came out playing in regular street clothes. He's stayed so tight with the community and the University. I think he does a lot more than people know, and a lot of it goes unnoticed."\nAll of the people who packed into The City Grille came for a chance to see a local talent hit the stage.\n"This is just a really fun atmosphere," Rivard said, "and John Mellencamp playing here -- that makes it that much better."\nAmid the whistles and cheers across generation gaps, Mellencamp played a show that made local residents proud to call him a Hoosier.\n"He's a real personable guy; it's always been a beautiful thing," Keough said. "Everybody loves John. Come on, if you don't you've got to be a fool."\n-- Contact city & state editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.