It's A Small Town For Edwards

From CBS News' Aaron Lewis, on the trail with the Edwards campaign:

For at least one night, John Edwards was the rock star in the Democratic presidential race.

The former North Carolina senator made a surprise appearance last night at the John Mellencamp concert in front of 9,000 concert fans at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.

Mellencamp slowed down an acoustic version of his hit song "Small Town." And as he kept the notes flowing on his guitar, he spoke to the crowd.

"I got a friend that I've had for about the last 7 or 8 years and this guy's from a small town," said the musician. "And he just so happens to be running for the president of the United States." Mellencamp then introduced Edwards, who emerged from the side of the stage, wearing jeans and a buttoned sports coat, after having ditched the blue tie and suit pants he had worn all day. The crowd greeted him with an equal amount of cheers and boos, perhaps as much a sign of the division between the Democrats and Republicans in attendance.

"The good news is I've been in your small towns," said Edwards after he thanked the audience in front of a giant video screen. "I've been raised in a small town. I've been all over your state in small towns. And you didn't come to listen to me. So I'm not singing."

After thanking the audience one last time, Edwards walked off stage, but not before shaking some hands with a few folks lucky enough to score front row seats. He stood off to the side of the stage and listened to the rest of the song.

"Now I've had a lot of fun with that guy," Mellencamp said of Edwards "You know, guys that run for president aren't as stiff as you think they are. They're pretty fun guys. That guy's a pretty fun guy."