Midwest music mix list #4: Indiana

Here's a collection of music from and about the Hoosier State.

Pink Houses-This song always reminds me of the first house where I remember living. I don't know how my mom convinced my dad to paint our house a chalky pink color (presumably to match her pink Buick), but she did. Songs like Pink Houses reflect that fact that John Mellencamp's heart remains firmly in the country's heartland with music documenting the everyday lives of those in this region. The Seymour, Indiana, native, forced to perform under the stage name of Johnny Cougar by an early manager, earned enough clout to begin phasing out "Cougar" in favor "Mellencamp" as the album containing this song came out in 1983. Mellencamp remains popular, while Cougar is a nearly forgotten footnote in his long resume.

Floodwaters-This one took me a while to sort out. Tim tells me he heard about a band called Defiance, Ohio that is from Indiana. The band's Wiki entry confirmed that. However, this acoustic punk band's Web site says they started as a three-piece in Columbus, Ohio, which is about 140 miles from the real town of Defiance, Ohio. The Indiana connection? Band member Ryan Woods lives in Bloomington, Indiana, where he co-owns a vegetarian restaurant. Woods, like other members of Defiance, Ohio, plays in other bands, including one called Pink Houses (not to be confused with a Mellencamp cover band of the same name). Meanwhile, Floodwaters is a cut from Defiance, Ohio's latest album, Midwestern Minutes.

Gary, Indiana-The northern Indiana town of Gary inspired this tune from 1950s stage musical and early 1960s movie. The lyrics make it seem like an idyllic small town, which it may have been in the story's early-1900 era, but today it is a heavily industrial suburb of Chicago.

Billie Jean-Gary's real claim to fame may be as hometown to the Jacksons. Michael began singing at a very young age with his older brothers, but his solo career easily eclipsed his career as a Jackson 5 member. This track comes from Michael's epic Thriller album, and I liked the "Billie Jean" video that showcased his dance moves. Michael's death in 2009 generated a lot of tributes to him, including this somewhat bizarre headstone in a Detroit cemetery.

No Rain-Shannon Hoon of Lafayette, Indiana is another member of the gone-too-soon club, dying at the age of 28 in 1995. He left one quintessential memory behind as the lead singer of Blind Melon with the song "No Rain". The video, featuring the tap dancing "Bee Girl", is the story of a lonely and unappreciated outsider who joyfully finds her own tribe and acceptance.

Back Home Again in Indiana-Jim Nabors was the Susan Boyle of 1960s television. He played his thick Alabama accent to good effect as a goofy Marine in Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., but when he opened his mouth to sing, his rich baritone shocked many viewers. Nabors became an Indiana tradition for singing this song at the opening of the Indy 500 for many of the past 40 years. When his health prevented him from performing this year in Indiana, race officials went to Nabors' home in Hawaii to record a performance to play for the opening. I couldn't find a commercially available recording of the song, but I'm linking to an album of Nabors' inspirational songs (which I think particularly suit his voice).

Back to Indiana-The Elms were a roots- and blues-based Christian rock band that disbanded in 2010. Back to Indiana comes from their last studio album, The Great American Midrange, and the video, primarily shot in a farm field, shows a race to return home and to love.

Indiana Wants Me-Here's a guy who wants to return to Indiana and can't because police want him for murdering the man who insulted his wife. This 1970 tune by Canadian R. Dean Taylor, a record producer and songwriter at Detroit's Motown, was his one hit as a recording artist. Taylor earned ubiquitous airplay for this song in the Detroit area and went to #5 in the US charts. The recording, which started with the sound of police sirens, even caused some drivers to pull over when they heard it on the radio! Today Dean records in his Los Angeles studio and is writing a book about his life at Motown.

Breathe In, Breathe Out-Let's end on a more serene note with singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer. The folk artist, born in Dowagiac, Michigan, grew up in Elkhart, Indiana. Breathe In, Breathe Out is from her most recent album, Everything is Everywhere, which is collaboration with classical Indian musician Amjad Ali Khan and his sons. The Khans' use of traditional Indian instruments like the sarod combines here with Newcomer's melodic folkie voice.