John Mellencamp fans, here's something to smile about: A small-town Wisconsin dentist presents an extensive tribute to the Hoosier icon, trading his drill for a little ditty about Jack and Diane.
Dr. Tom Reitz, a longtime dentist in Edgerton, a working-class community just outside Dane County's southeast border, fronts the band Pink Houses. Reitz, 46, has maintained the 10-piece group over 7 years, spreading a stellar Mellencamp tribute to crowded clubs and festivals throughout Wisconsin and into nearby states.
Pink Houses doesn't slow down.
It's a wonderful ride that continues to grow. The concept is still strong.
You had, perhaps, your biggest show at Riverfest in Watertown last summer. You must have got a taste of what Mellencamp experiences, right?
Yeah, we headlined on a Saturday night. The crowd was phenomenal. Almost 8,000 people. Honest to God, when you look out at that many people your adrenaline soars. It does feel like the real deal.
Has interest in a Mellencamp tribute stayed even over the years?
It has. Once people see the show, which is very high energy, they see it's true to a live Mellencamp show. The instruments include violin, mandolin, banjo, accordion, percussionist and all that stuff. We even play the same cover songs he plays.
Do you think Mellencamp knows about this tribute?
Someone who lives near Mellencamp (outside Bloomington, Ind.) said he'd drop one of the band's business cards in his mailbox. In Seymour, Ind., John's hometown puts on a Cars and Guitars festival and they've said to me, "2010 is the year we get you down here. And we're hoping to have a super secret guest."
Are there other Mellencamp tribute bands?
There are. When we started in 2002, there was one in Canada called Scarecrow that did about 15 songs. There's another one in New Jersey. Not many.
What songs do people want to hear most?
"Pink Houses" and "Jack and Diane." I can stop singing, hold the microphone out and the crowd shouts the lyrics.
Do your patients say anything about the tribute?
I get a lot of comments from my patients. They'll come in and say, "Hey, I saw you perform last weekend." Others say, "I tell the people I'm with at shows that it's my dentist up there on stage!"
Has it become more than a hobby to you?
It's taken on its own essence of a professional act. We run a little like a business, but we put money back into it and make sure everyone gets paid and we also have a five-person crew.
You're playing at Badger Bowl (Saturday night, April 4). People might think, "A bowling alley?" But it's one of Madison's longest-running music venues.
There's lots of raised seating on the sides. The bar area is right in the center. The stage is big. There's plenty of room to dance. It's a great place to play.
