With multiple Grammy nominations, decades of famous music, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his good friend and fellow musician Billy Joel, John Mellencamp is nothing short of legendary. This singer-songwriter has been called the father of Americana -- his innovative Appalachian folk-rock sound spurred on the explosion of heartland rock in the nation during the last quarter-century.
Mellencamp's latest and 21st official studio release, No Better Than This, came out this past August. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the album is (as you might expect) raw and powerful. Mellencamp traveled across the country, recording the album in several historic locations. The end result is what he rightfully describes "as American folk as I've ever seen."
This World Cafe segment originally aired on Dec. 10, 2010.
Copyright 2011 XPN
