JCM put on one of the best concerts I've ever seen actually. He performed for over 3 hours; and actually gave it every thing he had. It was impressive to watch. Being from the Midwest he is mildly popular here. I've seen him twice. Once in the early 2000's and another time at a bar.
Right after college I actually saw him perform in his hometown of Bloomington, Indiana. A friend of mine from high school had moved there, and had invited me to a big family cookout on his grandparetns farm. I was set to start graduate school soon, and went away to cornpone land for a good drunken weekend. Bloomington is small, but its still a college town. So, I thought it would also be a good chance to cozy up to some Indiana girls, on what Tom Petty called, an Indiana night. Let's just say a good time was had by all. Any way, we were in this fairly busy bar, and there was a band playing and about half-way through their first set, Mellancamp came in and played about 5 songs with the band. He was very gracious, and very down to Earth. This would have been right after his Scarecrow album. Apparently he does that sort of thing all the time there. After, he partied a bit with everyone; took a couple of pics (this was pre cell phone days and not many people had cameras with them); and signed some autographs. But for the most part, this was where he lived, so he could just kind of be himself. That always stuck with me, that everyone needs a refuge to call home.
I sound like a huge fan. I'm not, but I do like his Midwest everyman message, it resonates with me; and a few of his songs.