Indianapolis WTHR Channel 13: Mellencamp Visits IU For Video Shoot

Jeremy Brilliant/Eyewitness News

Bloomington - There was a Hoosier homecoming for John Mellencamp Monday, who spent the day making a music video on the IU campus.

The low-key production took place in the middle of the day at Indiana University, but nothing was closed down, no roads, no classrooms, just a tiny chapel next to the student union. In fact, many students at the university were oblivious to the rock legend standing just a few feet away from them in the heart of campus.

Inside Beck Chapel, Mellencamp and country singer Karen Fairchild lip-synched the words to "A Ride Back Home" from Mellencamp's new album - "Life, Death, Love and Freedom."

"It's always an honor to be asked to be part of this album, so to be a part of the video is even a better deal," Fairchild said. "She sang on like half the album with me in this fashion, so it just made perfect sense."

During concerts, Mellencamp has stopped his song and asked the audience about deal they make with God.

"Oh God, I'll never drink again, I promise, if you just let me feel better," he said during a recent show.

"People are killing each other, banks are robbing normal civilians and if you're a little too drunk, I don't think he's got time for that. He's got bigger fish to fry," Mellencamp said.

The music video, which was shot on film, featured the two singers and a band. Away from the production, Mellencamp was less poetic and more political, hoping his music will send a message.

"I think the rich people have had it too good too long and it's time for the normal common man to go out and go to work and make money and let him have to opportunity to live the American dream," he said.

The video is Mellencamp's 49th, but it's the first one ever shot at Beck's Chapel, which is usually used for weddings. Mellencamp will be charged the usual rental fee for the chapel and for several IU employees who helped with the production, totalling several thousand dollars.



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