Legendary artist John Mellencamp is teaming up with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to take on the celebrated role of guest programmer, curating two special nights of films.
He has selected Tortilla Flat, Cool Hand Luke and The Misfits to air on September 17 followed by The Fugitive Kind, On the Waterfront and East of Eden on September 24.
Mellencamp is also working with Turner Classic Movies on various projects including the sponsorship of his forthcoming tour, a landmark collaboration and first for the artist who has never had a tour sponsorship in all his years of performing live.
He recently participated in the “From Hollywood to the Heartland” interstitial, focusing on how small towns are portrayed in movies as part of TCM’s July on-air promotion.
This summer, Mellencamp’s documentary The Good Samaritan Tour 2000 was released by Federal Films, along with a companion live album of the same name on Republic Records. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey, with special contributions by Nora Guthrie, the documentary follows Mellencamp on his iconic 2000 tour in which he played free shows across the country. The film is available now on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) YouTube channel.
The album features live versions of some of John Mellencamp’s most popular songs including “Pink Houses,” “Small Town” as well as a cover of “Oklahoma Hills” written by Woody Guthrie.
Federal Films is the newly activated film, television, and creative content expansion of Republic Records. The division creates, develops, and produces artist-driven original content that reflects the spirit of the label’s culture and amplifies its association with the world’s leading talent. With titles including the Amazon Original Happiness Continues: A Jonas Brothers Concert Film, Ariana Grande’s Netflix special Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You, the upcoming Apple TV+ Velvet Underground Documentary and other high profile projects in development, Federal Films is quickly becoming a force in providing premier content to audiences worldwide.