IU Columbus Professor Aimee Zoeller is a Woody Guthrie researcher. She’s bringing together Mellencamp scholar and IU Northwest instructor, David Masciotra, and local musician Allie Jean Burbrink to discuss (and listen to!) similarities between the artists.
The event is free and open to the public, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Viewpoint Books: Chapter Two, 425 Washington St., presented by the Sociology Program at IU Columbus. Burbrink will be performing a sampling of Guthrie and Mellencamp songs, incorporated into the conversation.
“Both Guthrie and Mellencamp’s concerns have many parallels, which are reflected in their art and their actions,” Zoeller said. For example, they have a shared interest in environmental and economic issues, highlighted in Mellencamp’s lyrics for “Rain on the Scarecrow” and his role in co-founding Farm Aid.
“Mellencamp is very open about the impact Woody Guthrie has had on him, both musically and as a champion for social change,” Zoeller said. In addition, John Mellencamp is on the Woody Guthrie Center artist advisory board and received the Woody Guthrie Prize in 2018. The MELLENCAMP exhibit, curated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is currently on display at the Woody Guthrie Center.
