PROTESTING THE PROTEST SONG: AN UNKNOWN TURNS MELLENCAMP'S MUSIC AGAINST HOLLYWOOD

An unknown country singer rewrites John Mellencamp's protest song and suddenly finds himself at the center of a nationwide firestorm of controversy

PROTEST SONG TO PROTEST SONG DRAWS NATIONAL ATTENTION

An unknown Ohio singer has turned a popular performer?s music and message around and has given those who decry Hollywood?s anti-war rhetoric a new anthem.

Stephen Blake, a self-described ?average American? from Dayton, Ohio, never thought his parody of John Mellencamp?s folksy protest song ?To Washington? would become one of the most-downloaded MP3?s in the country. What began as ?a joke? is striking a chord with many Americans who disagree with celebrity criticism of national policy.

?To Hollywood? is a smartly crafted parody of Mellencamp?s recent release which rebuts the anti-war sentiments expressed by the well-known Indiana singer. The MP3, available to the public on a website (LOVEOURNATION.COM) has received over 10,000 download ?hits? in its first three days. The song is also being played on several radio stations on the West coast and elsewhere.

?I?m actually a big fan of his (Mellencamp?s) music?, says Blake, ?But I just think he?s got this one wrong and I?m expressing my feelings just like he did?. Blake stresses there is no commercial intent in his musical effort, rather, ?I just want to give a voice to the majority of Americans who are behind the President and our effort to liberate a once-proud people from dictatorship?.

Blake has received criticism of his own. ?I?ve gotten some threatening e-mails, but nine out of ten are in complete agreement with me and with the war effort. Most people are thanking me for having the guts to take on Hollywood?. Blake predicts Mellencamp may become ?The next Dixie Chick?. So far Mellencamp has refused comment.

Blake has no plans to release further songs, but, ?If someone likes my singing and wants to talk about a recording contract, hey, I?ll listen?.

March 19, 2003