In an otherwise nondescript time for music (and hey, Christmas music is just days away) comes "Jena," a song/video from John Mellencamp that speaks out on the racial strife around that small Louisiana town. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, "Jena" is powerful and makes a statement that music still has the power to make.
It’s hard to remember that there was once a category of music called "Protest Rock." And we’ve heard "For What It’s Worth" so many thousands of times that it’s easy to forget what that song was once all about. Except for the occasional Springsteen or Neil Young efforts, music, topicality, and a cause rarely come together anymore.
That’s why Mellencamp’s effort is so refreshing, especially after the way that "Our Country" became a blatant commercial for Chevrolet, rather than the anthem he probably intended it to be.
Maybe he truly deserves to be in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame after all.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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