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I thought this was interesting. You know the old song from John Mellencamp titled ‘Jack & Diane’ that came out way back in 1982? Well he’s turning it into a musical with Kathleen Marshall to direct and choreograph. She’s a winner of 3 Tonys out of nine nominations so this should be good.

The backers of the musical had this to say

“This is a story about those people who live, love and die on the underside of the American Dream in small towns all across our country. This is a tale, laced with humor and visceral energy, about star-crossed lovers, and their stubborn refusal to give up, to lie down, to let go of the potential their youthful dreams once promised.”

On February 11th President and Mrs. Obama will host the “In Performance at the White House:  A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” that will broadcast on PBS in honor of Black History Month.  Queen Latifah and Morgan Freeman will be the guest speakers with tons of artists:  Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Bob Dylan, Mellencamp, Smokey, Seal and much more.  I’ll probably record it.

John Mellencamp just put out a live collection CD featuring many of the songs off his 2008 album ‘Life Death Love And Freedom.’  And whats even sweeter is that you can get the CD for $7.98 or $5.99 in digital format.  There is also a “Deluxe Tour Pack” edition that includes the original studio album ‘Life Death Love And Freedom’ along with the new ‘Live Death LIVE And Freedom.’

Here are his updated tour dates.

July

2 – Sauget, IL – GCS Ballpark
4 – South Bend, IN – Coveleski Stadium
8 – Louisville, KY – Louisville Slugger Field
10 – Dayton, OH – Fifth Third Field
11 – Eastlake, OH – Classic Park
13 – Washington, PA – CONSOL Energy Park
14 – Allentown, PA – Coca Cola Park
15 – New Britain, CT – New Britain Stadium
17 – Essex Junction, VT – Champlain Valley Exposition Center
18 – Bethel Woods, NY – Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
19 – Syracuse, NY – Alliance Bank Stadium
21 – Pawtucket, RI – McCoy Stadium
23 – Lakewood, NJ – First Energy Park
24 – Aberdeen, MD – Ripkin Stadium
25 – Norfolk, VA – Harbor Park
28 – Durham, NC – Durham Bulls Athletic Park
29 – Simpsonville, SC – Heritage Park Amphitheater
30 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater @ Encore Park
31 – Orange Beach, AL – The Amphitheater at the Wharf

August
2 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavillion
4 – Round Rock, TX – The Dell Diamond
5 – Corpus Christi, TX – Whataburger Field
7 – Grand Prairie, TX – QuikTrip Park
9 – Albuquerque, NM – Journal Pavillion
11 – Glendale, AZ – Camelback Ranch
12 – Lake Elsinore, CA – The Diamond Park
14 – Fresno, CA – Chukchansi Park
15 – Stockton, CA – Banner Island Park