Bio Channel “Homeward Bound: John Mellencamp” Premiering Thursday, December 11th
BIO brings viewers back to the Indiana roots of rebel, risk-taker and rock star
John Mellencamp in the ninety-minute documentary special “Homeward Bound: John
Mellencamp” premiering Thursday, December 11 at 9 PM ET/8 PM CT/10 PM PT.
His music defined a generation and this fiercely independent rocker recently earned a place in history as a Rock and Hall of Fame inductee, but through it all John Mellencamp never forgot his roots. Now for the first time, BIO follows Mellencamp as he travels back to his hometown of Seymour, Indiana, the ‘small town’ that changed his life forever.
“Homeward Bound: John Mellencamp” takes viewers through a present day visit to Mellencamp’s hometown to explore the local streets where the musician came of age, meet the people who inspired his music and journey with John back to the beginning of his career. From his early days as a struggling musician marked by hundreds of rejection letters and unruly crowds, to the embarrassing Johnny Cougar persona that accompanied his first record deal, to the breakthrough hits that unexpectedly landed him on top of the pop charts and in control of his own career—these events changed the course of his life forever and the people of Seymour witnessed it. The special also features archival footage, personal photos and intimate first-hand commentary from John, childhood friends, band members and other influential people in his life and career.
The ninety minute special culminates in an intimate performance at Indiana’s historic Crump Theatre where Mellencamp performed more than 30 years ago. He interacts with the crowd of more than 700 fans sharing anecdotes from his career and singing songs – new and old. The set list includes “Rain on the Scarecrow,” “Troubled Land,” “My Sweet Love,” “Small Town,” “Longest Days,” “I Need a Lover,” “Taxi Dancer” and “Authority Song” accompanied by his 13-year old son Speck.
Commentators featured include Mellencamp, wife Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp, Herald Times writer Mike Leonard, publicist Bob Merlis, Billboard Magazine contributor Jim Bessman, high school girlfriend Margy Nierman and an assortment of band members – past and present – including Mike Wanchic, Kenny Aronoff, Miriam Sturm, Toby Myers, Robert “Ferd” Frank, Larry McDonald, Mike Jackson, Fred Booker and Dave Parman.
“Homeward Bound: John Mellencamp” is produced by Stage 3 Productions by producer Anthony Uro and executive producers Kelly Ryan, Steve Cipollone and Jordan Schwartz. BIO executive producers are Robert Sharenow, Tom Moody and Jordana Hochman.
His music defined a generation and this fiercely independent rocker recently earned a place in history as a Rock and Hall of Fame inductee, but through it all John Mellencamp never forgot his roots. Now for the first time, BIO follows Mellencamp as he travels back to his hometown of Seymour, Indiana, the ‘small town’ that changed his life forever.
“Homeward Bound: John Mellencamp” takes viewers through a present day visit to Mellencamp’s hometown to explore the local streets where the musician came of age, meet the people who inspired his music and journey with John back to the beginning of his career. From his early days as a struggling musician marked by hundreds of rejection letters and unruly crowds, to the embarrassing Johnny Cougar persona that accompanied his first record deal, to the breakthrough hits that unexpectedly landed him on top of the pop charts and in control of his own career—these events changed the course of his life forever and the people of Seymour witnessed it. The special also features archival footage, personal photos and intimate first-hand commentary from John, childhood friends, band members and other influential people in his life and career.
The ninety minute special culminates in an intimate performance at Indiana’s historic Crump Theatre where Mellencamp performed more than 30 years ago. He interacts with the crowd of more than 700 fans sharing anecdotes from his career and singing songs – new and old. The set list includes “Rain on the Scarecrow,” “Troubled Land,” “My Sweet Love,” “Small Town,” “Longest Days,” “I Need a Lover,” “Taxi Dancer” and “Authority Song” accompanied by his 13-year old son Speck.
Commentators featured include Mellencamp, wife Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp, Herald Times writer Mike Leonard, publicist Bob Merlis, Billboard Magazine contributor Jim Bessman, high school girlfriend Margy Nierman and an assortment of band members – past and present – including Mike Wanchic, Kenny Aronoff, Miriam Sturm, Toby Myers, Robert “Ferd” Frank, Larry McDonald, Mike Jackson, Fred Booker and Dave Parman.
“Homeward Bound: John Mellencamp” is produced by Stage 3 Productions by producer Anthony Uro and executive producers Kelly Ryan, Steve Cipollone and Jordan Schwartz. BIO executive producers are Robert Sharenow, Tom Moody and Jordana Hochman.