Morgan concert to showcase area farmer’s combine

When the call went out for Big Red, Mike Mussman of rural Claremont jumped at the chance to showcase his International combine.
Mussman’s International 1460 combine will be highlighted at the Craig Morgan concert on Friday, Aug. 20. It will be featured as Morgan performs his hit song, International Harvester.
With the combine being stored away in the shed since last year’s harvest, Mussman got it out last week to begin power washing and shining it up in preparation for the big show. He plans to make a few other interior cosmetic changes prior to the fair.
Mussman purchased the used combine in 2007, the same year Morgan came out with the popular country song. Mussman actually has two International combines, one used for soybeans and the other for corn. He plans to put a corn head on the combine for Morgan’s concert.
A 1460 International combine is prominently featured in the video of Morgan’s song. Here are the beginning lyrics of the song:
I’m the son of a third generation farmer
I’ve been married ten years to the farmer’s daughter
I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver
Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a luggin’ five miles an hour
On my International Harvester
The song goes on to make references to FFA and 4-H.
“The words are kind of cool of what he is saying,” said Mussman, a 1980 graduate of Owatonna High School. “It’s pretty neat.”
Dan Deml, president of the fair, is excited to have Mussman’s combine be a part of the Morgan concert. “We are trying to do some things to enhance the concert,” he said. “It’s fun for the community when you can do something fun like this.”
In keeping with the fair’s tradition of showcasing local, Deml is happy to feature a combine from a local farmer.
The fair has also come up with a pontoon to feature during Morgan’s song, Redneck Yacht Club.
Morgan’s music is no stranger to Mussman, who knew exactly what was needed when he heard the fair was looking to feature a combine. In his earlier years, Mussman used to listen to rock, but his father, Dale, changed that when the two began milking together in the 1980s.
“Dad didn’t want to listen to that rock so I got used to listening to country music,” Mussman said with a laugh. “When we were milking, I always listened to country music. The radio was going 24/7/365 days a year.”
The radio isn’t blaring quite as much any more as Mussman’s milking days came to an end three years ago when he sold the cows. But his love for country music continues.
Though his milking days are over, Mussman is still engaged with farming 220 acres of corn and soybeans. His 82-year-old father also farms an additional 200 acres down the road in the northeast part of Steele County.
Mussman is the fourth generation of his family to farm dating back 115 years.
Asked about red International tractors and combines, Mussman smiled and said: “There is only one kind. When the work horses left, there have been red tractors and it has been red ever since.”
And as for Mussman’s only request to bring his combine to the fair?
“All I told them is I would bring a combine for four tickets to the concert,” Mussman said.