Mellencamp unhappy with Walker

AP Modified

Updated: Apr 11, 2012 2:29 PM

MADISON (AP) — Musician John Mellencamp wants Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to know that he supports collective bargaining and union rights and Walker should know that before using his song "Small Town" on the campaign trail.

Mellencamp's publicist Bob Merlis told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Mellencamp wanted him to reach out to Walker not to ask him to stop using the song, but to inform him of his liberal beliefs.

Merlis says that is a standing policy of Mellencamp's whenever a politician uses one of his songs. Merlis says he became aware Walker was using "Small Town" after reading a news story about a campaign stop Tuesday in Milwaukee. The campaign also played the song during a Walker appearance in Green Bay.

Walker's campaign spokesman did not immediately return a message.

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