Sunday, July 14, 2013

Claim to fame: I beat Bob Dylan...

...in a talent contest. And I bragged about it.

Peter and I attended the Dylan concert at Midway Stadium in St. Paul Wednesday night, and as I have done twice before, I proclaimed my achievement on my shirt for anybody to see. (I've also told the story here.)

Some people who see the shirt think it's a joke at Bob's expense. Peter likes to say, "You'd still beat him in a talent contest," not because he doesn't like Dylan but because he knows many others don't.

But those who really do, and who decide I might be telling the truth? Those people are all over me. They ask me to tell them the story, and then they ask how well I knew Bob (I knew his mom and brother well but not Bob). Often they ask me to pose with them while someone takes a picture of us. I find this amusing, and I oblige.

Some of those people had Dylan connections of their own. A doctor told me he once stopped Bob on the street in New Orleans and they carried on a pleasant conversation. (The doctor's daughter backtracked, saying Bob was more surprised than gracious.) Another man told me he was friends with the English teacher who figures in some stories about Bob, with whom I also was a friend.  A musician spoke with me at length and then came back to ask whether I realized that Bob was playing keyboards as part of the concert - significant since both Bob and I had played the piano in the talent contest in question.

I came to realize that by striking up a conversation with me, each of these Dylan fans got to tell his own story, which made the concert a more personal experience for them. And, of course, for me.

When my dad was still alive and living in Hibbing, just across the street from the house where Bob grew up, I'd run into uber-fans who had made the pilgrimage to Bob's hometown. There are self-directed tours that tell people where he lived, where he went to school, and where to find displays of photos and other memorabilia (the library and a restaurant called Zimmy's). I was sitting on my dad's front steps one Sunday morning when a father and grown son drove up and began taking pictures of the house across the street. Eventually, as so many Hibbing residents do, I struck up a conversation. They only had a few hours, the library was closed, and they hadn't spoken to anyone else. They got to ask me a few questions, and they got to tell me of their devotion to the songwriter who has been called the poet of his time. They were excited and grateful...and they took each other's picture with me.

Just before going to last week's concert, I had posted about self-identity. I was wondering what I would tell people about myself now that life was changing. For one evening it was this:

"I beat Bob Dylan in a talent contest. Yes, really."

And as a result, I met some interesting folks and had a great time. 

16 comments:

Pauline Persing said...

What a fun identity.

DJan said...

Ha! It's definitely a unique way to meet strangers. What fun! :-)

Jeanie said...

I love your Bob Dylan story and the shirt is a great way to meet people over something that interests you. I guess our identity is made up of all these parts of who we are and this is such a fun part for you.

Jeanie said...

Now that's one of those fun facts that you can pull out at a party! I love that! Incredibly cool! I'd wear that shirt a lot!

Far Side of Fifty said...

So how was the concert? He isn't much of a singer..I think his voice has to grow on you. We are fans but of the old Dylan..not the present day recordings:)

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Nancy! I found the original tale fascinating, but this somehow is even bigger. And I love the tee! Indigo x

Jayne Martin said...

What a wonderful story and such a great shirt! Sounds like a fun time was had by all.

Jan said...

I've always wondered about the private lives of celebrities and how many people they must touch, either directly or indirectly. Love your t-shirt and the story! -- Jan

stephen Hayes said...

Ha! Good for you. I like Bob Dylan but I like YOU better.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Haha, awesome way to meet people.

Anonymous said...

i LOVE that! :)
and i love that you wear it proudly!

Sally Wessely said...

This is a great story. Love it.

troutbirder said...

What a great story. Incidentally my dad used to take me to Saints games at the old Lexington ballpark but sadly I've never been to Midway....

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

The perfect conversation starter! I'm impressed!

Green Monkey said...

I LOVE your T-shirt, and your Dylan story. It's part of who you are :)

I read somewhere recently that several people were arrested at a dylan concert for smoking pot... that wasn't you was it??? :))))))

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/crime/marijuana-arrests-at-bob-dylan-concert

Unknown said...

I love this! and your t-shirt rocks! XOXO

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