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John Mellencamp schedules summer performances in support of upcoming album, “Sad Clowns & Hillbillies”

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Credit: Marc HauserJohn Mellencamp recently announced that he and veteran Americana artist Carlene Carter will be releasing a new collaborative album called Sad Clowns & Hillbillies in the spring, and now the heartland rocker has revealed that’s he’ll be supporting the record with a U.S. summer tour.

Mellencamp has yet to unveil a full itinerary for the trek, but he has lined up performances at a few agricultural fairs around the country. The 65-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s confirmed appearances are scheduled for August 5 at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Davenport, Iowa; August 31 at the Great Allentown Fair in Allentown, Pennsylvania; and September 1 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Vermont.

Mellencamp also will be scheduling a variety of promotional appearances in support of Sad Clowns & Hillbillies. Speaking with Katie Couric last month on an episode of her Yahoo! interview series, John explained that the idea for the album came about while he and Carter — who is the late June Carter Cash‘s daughter and Johnny Cash‘s stepdaughter — were touring together over the last couple of years. Mellencamp noted that the initial concept for the project was a collection of old-time-flavored religious country tunes, but said the material wound up focusing more on secular themes.

Last month, John released a new single called “Easy Target” that he wrote in reaction to the changing political climate in the U.S. and the increased racial tensions in the country. It’s not clear whether the track also will be included on Sad Clowns & Hillbillies.

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