Pace on Farm Aid

By Waldo Jaquith

Hey! When is this guy going to write about the Dave Matthews Band? Hell, I was planning on it. Really, I was. I recently went to Farm Aid 99 at the Nissan Pavilion, and figured I'd have something to say about DMB's performance there. And yeah, I could write about that, or more specifically about how Neil Young proved yet again while playing with DMB (All Along the Watchtower) just how horrible a guitarist he really is. I mean ferchrissake, Boyd Tinsley had to bail him out - and Boyd Tinsley is usually the guy BEING bailed out.

But instead, what really caught my attention was seeing John Mellencamp for the first time. You know, in spite of his mostly old-school performance, Mellencamp has really turned into a first rate songwriter. And I got to thinking - probably somewhere in between Deanna Carter and Trisha Yearwood sets - about how John Mellencamp epitomizes the changes in America. Most of us remember Mellencamp as a Springsteen kind of All-American rocker, talking about life in a small town with Jack and Diane, who were always fighting and losing to authority. Cigarette in mouth, all white, mostly male crowd and band, three chord rock. Isn't that our basic memory of the Reagan 80's, back when 96% of all court appointees were white? Who best captures that in our memory than Johnny Cougar?

Mellencamp tried to recapture that image at Farm Aid - and what a better place to try to do it than at Farm Aid, where the image was originally solidified. Problem was, he did a much better job of showing us where we are now rather than where we were. The entrance, with a gospel singer and an exotic looking black dancer who doubled as keyboardist, was enough to show us how much we (and him) have changed since we heard about the little pink houses for you and me. This was Johnny Cougar, right? Fortunately, we're reminded of the 80's Mellencamp as he comes out - puffing a cigarette. Even after suffering a heart attack not long ago, Mellencamp is still hooked on the nicotine. Just like America.

Mellencamp's writing has changed to reflect the dancer and gospel singer. Those lucky enough to have some of his later albums know that he's dabbled in R&B and gospel, and has learned how to string together a lyric. He's thrown in a little angst, a little sadness, a little anger, and with his latest album, a little reflection. Just like America. Right now, we are currently running for President the following: a Vice- President, the son of a President, a 1960's basketball star, and the wife of a 100 time presidential candidate (sorry Dole fans, it just seems that way). Our fascination with Mellencamp and his current string of hits mirrors this. And just like George and George, Bob and Libby, Gore and the rest, Mellencamp won't be around much longer. Appreciate him and what he represents while you can.

-Anchorman Pace

Addendum: One of the things Mellencamp represents is farm subsidies, and I really can't grasp the arguments, even after 8 hours at Farm Aid 99. I don't buy the argument that pesticides from large farms are going to ruin our health. Health is overanalyzed - just eat the food and get on with your life. For that matter, get your damn water from the tap and don't spent a dollar a bottle on it, you trendy stuck up yuppies! It's WATER. Also, I don't buy the argument that animals are treated that much worse at commercial farms than they are at local ones - and I find the argument kinda funny in any event. We're killing these animals, right? When did "humane" treatment not include, oh I dunno, not killing them? Look, I'm not vegetarian and likely never will be, but I find that argument silly. If it's important to treat cows well, why are we killing and eating them? Finally, I don't buy the argument that commercial farms are intentionally driving out smaller farms, and that the trend to larger farms is horrible and evil. To me, it's a simple case of capitalist economics. If commercial farms can do essentially the same thing for a cheaper price, then I say go for it. I'm not in favor of paying to produce more cotton gins just to keep some old Southern harvesting traditions alive, and I'm not in favor of it any more when it comes to wheat and corn in the Midwest.