John Mellencamp

He's known for being surly when he has to be, but John Mellencamp can also be a pretty thoughtful and reflective guy -- as he is during a new profanity-laced interview that finds him laughing, "I'm the luckiest guy you will ever talk to."

Now that his musical, 'Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,' is behind him, John Mellencamp is ready to get back to rocking. In a new interview, the songwriter says he's written a massive amount of songs since 2010's 'No Better Than This.'

John Mellencamp's two teenage sons have been charged in a beatdown they administered on a Bloomington, Ind., resident last month on the guy's porch. According to TMZ, the Mellencamps, along with a pal, have been charged with felony battery with the incident.

For a guy whose longtime nickname is 'Little Bastard,' John Mellencamp sure can be a softie when it comes to the right cause -- or if he's approached by famous pals like, say, actor Matthew McConaughey, recording artist Jack Ingram, and University of Texas football coach Mack Brown.

On this day in 1985 the album 'Scarecrow', by John Mellencamp, featuring the smashes 'Lonely Ol' Night,'Small Town' and 'R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.', was certified Gold and Platinum.

There's an upcoming movie called 'Jack & Diane'. It has nothing to do with John Mellencamp 1982 song of the same name...and he's a little upset that they stole his title.