The Problem with Dylan Trivia Contests at Carmody's During Dylan Fest

Scene from the opening reception for Monday's Dylan Fest Art Show.

We're midway thru Duluth Dylan Fest 2018 and the best is yet to come. Yesterday I was asked to share the Dylan Fest Trivia Contest we did at Carmody's Sunday evening. This was my fifth, maybe sixth, year of creating the contest and it would appear that my dilemma is irresolvable. The dilemma I'm referring to is the challenge of creating a contest that is easy enough to make newbies feel confident while simultaneously challenging the Dylanophiles.

When all is said and done, the Dylanophiles have pretty much internalized every song from every album, including the bootlegs, so stumping these folk amounts to an exercise in futility. They not only know the title of every album from the beginning, they know the title of every track, in order. Example: Blood on the Tracks begins with Tangled Up In Blue, followed by Simple Twist of Fate, etc. etc. etc.  So if I ask the question, "What Dylan album was Idiot Wind on?" half the trivia night competitors don't even need to wait for the answer options.

If I ask a question like, "Which of the following actors did NOT play Dylan in the film He's Not There?" you'll overhear someone at the next table say, "Did anyone here see that?" If I ask what the name of the character Dylan played in Masked and Anonymous, Dylanophiles all know it was Jack Fate before the multiple choices are offered. The other half are scratching their heads and wondering what Masked and Anonymous was.

You see the problem. And we still haven't gotten into the niche trivia yet. C'est la vie.

All that being said, let's roll out the trivia questions I invented for this year's contest. It's always multiple choice, so you can at least guess. Answers will be at the end of this post. Let me know what you think... It may help in the development of next year's contest.

DDF TRIVIA 2018
Note: It is a violation of the rules to use Google, Siri or any other assistance here.

Part One: NUMBERS
1. 10,000 Men is a Dylan song on what album?
a. Under the Red Sky
b. Shadows in the Night
c. Together Through Life
d. The Basement Tapes

2. Complete the title of this song: SEVEN ______
a. Miles Down the Road
b. Curses
c. Old Friends
d. Times Gone

3. What kind of Car is in the song "From a _______ 6" on Highway 61 Revisited?
a. Ford
b. Pontiac
c. Buick
d. Chrysler

4. On the album Self Portrait Dylan recorded a song titled "Days of _____"
a. 31
b. 49
c. 61
d. 59

5. How many Strong Winds blew on Bootleg #11?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 8
d. 9

6. Dylan has famously mentioned Highway 61 a couple times in his songs. What highway did he sing about on his first album?
a. Highway 209
b. Highway 51
c. Highway 22
d. Highway 1

7. Which of the following songs with number in them is incorrect?
a. I Shall Be Free #10
b. Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream
c. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
d. Workingman’s Blue #7

8. Love minus what number has no limit?
a. Zero
b. One
c. Three
d. Five

9. How many Miles does Dylan sing about on Time Out Of Mind?
a. a thousand miles
b. ten thousand miles
c. a million miles
d. ten million miles

10. On the album Down in the Groove, how fast does Dylan drive down a dead end street?
a. Sixty miles an hour
b. Seventy miles an hour
c. Eighty miles an hour
d. Ninety miles an hour

Part Two: PLACES
11. What town was Dylan stuck in when he had the Memphis blues?
a. San Francisco, California
b. Mobile, Alabama
c. Camden, New Jersey
d. Louisville, Kentucky

12. Dylan once mentioned seeing a movie with Gregory Peck in it. What town is featured in this song?
a. St. Louis
b. Los Angeles
c. Brownsville
d. San Antonio

13. Dylan once tried to become part of Bobby Vee’s band for a very short time as a piano player. Where did this take place?
a. Fargo
b. St. Paul
c. Denver
d. Chicago

14. Which country is mentioned in the song Idiot Wind?
a. Brazil
b. Germany
c. Italy
d. Mexico

15. “Hot chili peppers in the blistering sun” is the first line of a song about a romance where?
a. Cuernavaca
b. Durango
c. Cincinnati
d. Rio

16. On the album Together Through Life Dylan sings a song about a town where “you better do right” or the sheriff will get you. What town is this?
a. Miami
b. New Orleans
c. Oxford Town
d. Houston

17. Where did Dylan go to see the Gypsy?
a. Las Vegas
b. A little Minnesota town
c. Sunset Strip
d. A carnival in the desert

Part Three: PEOPLE
18. Whom did Dylan pity in his song on John Wesley Harding?
a. The carpenter
b. The immigrant
c. The childless widow
d. The broken soldier

19. Also on John Wesley Harding, whom did Dylan ask to not put a price on his soul?
a. The priest
b. His father
c. His landlord
d. A lawman

20. On the album Shot of Love, Dylan sang that he rode with this man in a taxi once for about a mile and a half, but it seemed like a couple of months. Who was he?
a. Martin Luther King, Jr.
b. Lenny Bruce
c. Nat King Cole
d. Woody Guthrie

21. The civil rights protest song “Only a Pawn in their Game” is about the murder of what important civil rights leader?
a. Emmett Till
b. Medgar Evers
c. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
d. Malcolm X

22. In two of Dylan’s 1960’s albums he recorded the song “Girl from the North Country.” The second time it was a duet with whom?
a. Kris Kristofferson
b. Waylon Jennings
c. Harry Belafonte
d. Johnny Cash

Part Four: CLOSING TIME
23. The renovated Nidaros Cathedral is a sanctuary in Norway decorated with fabulous architecture and numerous sculptures depicting various characters from the Bible. Which one of these sculptures, on the Northwest Tower, used the face of Bob Dylan?
a. The Angel Gabriel
b. John the Baptist
c. Michael the Archangel
d. St. Luke the Physician

24. Bob Dylan has been a musician, a songwriter, painter, sculptor and more. His latest venture is a whiskey business. The name of his whiskey was taken from what familiar Dylan song?
a. All Along the Watchtower
b. Forever Young
c. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
d. Caribbean Wind

25. To find the schedule for the rest of this week’s Duluth Dylan Fest, you should go to what website?
a. BobDylan.com
b. BobDylanWay.com
c. BobLinks.com
d. Highway61Revisited.com

* * * *
ANSWERS
1. a----2. b----3. c----4. b----5. b----6. b----7. d----8. a----9. c----10. d
11. b----12. c----13. a----14. c----15. b----16. d----17. b----18. b
19. c----20. b----21. b----22. d----23. c----24. c----25. b

* * * *

All in all, it was a fun way to spend an evening with friends. A member of our Duluth City Council was there playing, himself an avid Dylan fan. And tomorrow, when we cut the cake at Bob Dylan's first home on the Duluth Central Hillside tomorrow, it's my understanding that the mayor will be present to share the moment. The house is a yellow duplex at 519 3rd Avenue East. Will we see you there?

LATER TODAY, join us in the Great Hall at the Depot as the artist Skye discusses her remarkable forest of tapestries based on the songs of Bob Dylan, "Shakespeare's in the Alley." Wednesdays are Free so take advantage of this rare opportunity. Afterwards the Poets of the North Country will convene in the Duluth Playhouse.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Get into it.

A Shout Out To Our Sponsors -- Duluth Dylan Fest 2018

The Eighth Annual Duluth Dylan Fest 

is set for May 19-27, 2018.

Thank you to our sponsors!

FIND THE FULL SCHEDULE AND MORE

@ BobDylanWay.com

Six Articles Of Interest Leading Into Duluth Dylan Fest and Bob's 75th Birthday Week

I can't remember exactly when I began to feel myself to be a part of the Duluth Dylan Fest team. I've been covering this event here for years it seems. Two years ago I was asked to create the trivia contest that takes place on Sunday evening at Carmody's Irish Pub so that this year marks my third year of "official" involvement, though I've participated on the periphery for many years previous. The big surprise as I've gotten more deeply involved is the number of things I've learned about but can't talk about. And then there are all the rumors. As Dylan himself once song, "I've heard rumors all over town..." Or as Tina, Marvin and a host of others have sung, "believe half of what you see and none of what you hear." For the record, if you live here in the Northland you start to hear a lot. For myself, it's been a privilege to help promote the week's events, which kicked off last night with the new Dylan Music Video Contest at 7 p.m.

This team leaves to produce "To Ramona"

A pre-selected set of 5 minute songs had been placed in a box and each team that signed up wwas instructed to draw a name, as if drawing names out of a hat. Tomorrow night we'll re-convene at the Zinema Theater for the screening. 48 hours is the time frame. The winning music vid will be aired during next week's DuSu Film Festival. The four contestants included: Justin Anderson (Just Like A Woman); Ramona, Kate, Chris and Leander (To Ramona); Amanda Sundin and Lindsay Wayt (Things Have Changed); and Tamaye Ceannaideach (Mississippi.) The Dylan song that immediately came to mind: "I Can't Wait."

This was followed at 9 p.m. by the Dylan-Themed Trivia on Sunday nights at Carmody's, now in its sixth season, and it was nice to see such a healthy crowd for the event. Big "shout out" to Frank & Patty, who flew in from California for the kick-off of Dylan Fest and won first place by correctly guessing 24 out of 25 answers. Congratulations!

* * * *
Here are a half-dozen links to stories you can find online related to Bob's birthday tomorrow or Duluth Dylan Fest.

Our View: It’s OK to celebrate Dylan
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/our-view/4035987-our-view-its-ok-celebrate-dylan

"Duluth Dylan Fest kicks off Sunday and includes music — lots of music — a bus tour from Duluth to Hibbing and back, a film festival and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Dylan’s first home in the Duluth hillside."

Joseph O’Connor: a letter to Bob Dylan ahead of his 75th birthday
http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/joseph-o-connor-a-letter-to-bob-dylan-ahead-of-his-75th-birthday-1.2655046

"I don’t know how many times I’ve since listened to Desire, but it must be hundreds. As for Blood on the Tracks, Slow Train Coming, Saved, the magnificent Street Legal, Empire Burlesque, Knocked Out Loaded, Time Out of Mind: they were part of the soundtrack to my life. You’re a wintry walk on Dún Laoghaire pier with my first girlfriend, you’re a voice in a student bedsit at dawn, then a presence from a car radio late at night as I drive the streets of London with my baby son, to help him sleep."

Duluth rallies around Bob Dylan's 75th birthday as Hibbing struggles
http://www.startribune.com/duluth-rallies-around-bob-dylan-s-75th-birthday-as-hibbing-struggles/380331691/

"Duluth is commemorating the birthday in a variety of ways, including an impressive exhibit of Pagel's items, a tribute album and concert, and the unveiling of a plaque at Dylan's childhood home. But 75 miles away in Hibbing, where he lived from ages 6 to 18, the only formal event will be a bus tour — from Duluth."

The Photographer Who Captured Bob Dylan’s Electric Transition
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/05/photographer-daniel-kramer-bob-dylan
"Daniel Kramer took intimate photographs of Bob Dylan during the musician’s transformation from king of folk to rock pioneer. Here they are in a beautiful new book."

What's really cool about this story is that you can see some of pages from Daniel Kramer's earlier version of his book of photos... covered with Bob Dylan's handwriting. These are on display at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum which you must take time to visit this week while you're here. (Pictured top right.)

Forever young: 25 things you should know about Bob Dylan on his 75th birthday
http://www.startribune.com/forever-young-25-things-you-should-know-about-bob-dylan-on-his-75th-birthday/380314781/

The photo on the right headlines this Trib story.

There are a lot of interesting facts in this story which appeared in Sunday's Minneapolis Star Tribune. Here's one I wanted to draw attention to:

"3. The turning point in Dylan’s career was a New York Times review by Robert Shelton in September 1961. It led to his contract with Columbia Records."

This original NY Times story is also on display this week at Karpeles in the Bill Pagel exhibit here in Duluth. In addition, the photo used to lead into the article -- Dylan receiving the Medal of Freedom from President Obama -- is also in this exhibit.

Dylan Art Seen: Daniel Botkin's "Busy Being Born" at The Red Mug
http://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2016/05/dylan-art-seen-daniel-botkins-busy.html

Ok, so this one is a reminder that a special reception for Daniel Botkin's "Busy Being Born" is happening tonight. Music starts at 4:30 p.m. with an artist talk at 6:00. Join us!

* * * * 

The Usual Fun: Trivia Night at Carmody's

The Master of Ceremonies always makes it special.

Carmody's Irish Pub in Downtown Duluth is becoming the annual place to be on Sunday night during our North Country Dylan Fest. Sunday's have been trivia night there for many years, but one evening per year it's Dylan-themed trivia. And the answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind.

This year I was given the privilege of creating the contest, and in the usual fashion it is a multiple choice quiz in which even if you're clueless, your odds are still one in four. Here's a chance to test your wits, and one-up your friends.

1. Which of the following is NOT a Dylan related website?
a. ExpectingRain.com b. BobDylan.com c. boblinks.com d. MrTambourineMan.com

2. Why did Dylan, who lived in Woodstock, NY, not perform at Woodstock?
a. He was not in the mood. b. He was recovering from a motorcycle accident. c. He was packing for the Isle of Wight festival that he was headlining. d. He was producing a film in Hollywood.

3. The Martin Scorsese documentary about Dylan is titled….
a. Don’t Look Back b. No Direction Home c. Dylan Does Dixie d. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

4. In addition to being a song writer, Dylan is also…
a. A sculptor b. A clarinet player c. A novelist d. A physics professor

5. Which of these is the latest release from the Dylan catalog?
a. Tempest b. Bootleg Series, Volume 10 c. The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration d. The Best of Bob Dylan Volume 4

6. Which song was NOT the first song on a Sixties Dylan album?
a. Like a Rolling Stone b. Girl from the North Country c. If Not For You d. The Times They Are A-Changin’

7. Bob Dylan Way in Duluth starts on…
a. Highway 61 b. Michigan Street c. Positively Fourth Street d. Grand Avenue

8. The tender and beautiful song Lay Down Your Weary Tune was performed live only once, in 1963. If you wanted to hear it today, which album would you need to listen to?
a. Highway 61 Revisited b. Biograph c. Bootleg Series Volume 12 d. Another Side of Bob Dylan

9. This is one of Dylan’s longest songs. It begins with these lyrics: With your mercury mouth in the missionary times And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes
What is the title of the song?
a. Nettie Moore b. Dreaming of You c. Highlands d. Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

10. Which of these was NOT a double album or double CD?
a. Blonde on Blonde b. Greatest Hits Volume 2 c. Bootleg Series Volume 7 d. Together Through Life

11. Scarlet Rivera was the featured violinist on Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and What Album?
a. Blood on the Tracks b. Infidels c. Desire d. Street Legal

12. One of Bob Dylan’s best friends broke his neck in an accident in high school. When Dylan later became famous he remained a life-long friend. His name was:
a. Jack Frost b. Larry Kegan c. Bill Berg d. Ian Bell

13. Dylan, when interviewed by Rolling Stone, expressed his feelings about Duluth in this way:
a. He didn’t want to talk about it. b. “When I was in Hibbing I wanted to be Little Richard.” c. “I like the way the hills tumble to the waterfront and the way the wind blows around the grain elevators.” d. “I’ve often thought I should have been born in San Francisco.”

14. Which of these people did NOT play Dylan in the film I’m Not There?
a. Luke Wilson b. Cate Blanchett c. Richard Gere d. Christian Bale

15. Only a Pawn in Their Game is about the shooting of what civil rights leader?
a. Malcolm X b. Blind Willie McTell c. Dr. Martin Luther King d. Medgar Evers

16. What two instruments did Dylan play in his 2013 concert in Bayfront Park
a. Harmonica and guitar b. Guitar and Piano c. Piano and harmonica d. Tambourine and Guitar

17. How old was Bob Dylan when he moved with his family from Duluth to Hibbing?
a. 9 b. 6 c. 3 d. 11

18. Dylan has performed this song in concert 2198 times, more than any other song he’s written, but it was not on his first 8 albums. What is…
a. Tangled Up In Blue b. Blowing in the Wind c. All Along the Watchtower d. Norwegian Wood

19. When did Dylan first meet the Beatles?
a. August 1964 at the Delmonica Hotel b. Backstage on the Ed Sullivan Show, January 1964 c. Backstage at Dylan’s first concert in Manchester, England, April 1965 d. June 1965 at the Chelsea Hotel

Zane B: Winner of the Scarlet Hair

20. Dylan won a Grammy for what comeback album in the late 90’s?
a. Love and Theft b. Time Out of Mind c. Modern Times d. Christmas in the Heart

21. Dylan has famously produced quite a few LONG very long songs. Which of the following is the shortest? a. Desolation Row b. Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands c. Highlands d. Fourth Time Around

22. Which of these writers did NOT write a book about Bob Dylan?
a. Greil Marcus b. Howard Sounes c. Kiki Stone d. Robert Shelton

23. Which of the following albums was NOT part of the trilogy of albums recorded during Dylan’s “Gospel Period”?
a. Shot of Love b. Oh Mercy c. Saved d. Slow Train Coming

24. The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. Which one of these was not one of the questions?
a. How many roads must a man walk down before they call him a man?
b. How many years must some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?
c. How many ways must he seek till he finds a path to that satisfied mind?
d. How many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died?

25. In what song did Dylan write this line: “There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.” a. Jokerman b. World Gone Wrong c. All Along the Watchtower d. All the Tired Horses

Tonight the celebration continues with Dylan-Themed Grog Time featuring Russ Sacker and Jamie Ness at Tycoon's Alehouse in Duluth. That will begin at 4:00 p.m. And tomorrow is our Dylan-Themed Art Exhibition and Poetry Showcase at The Red Mug in Superior with a start-time of 6:30 p.m. Hope to see you on the scene.

Crack team of Dylan scholars discusses accuracy of question 19.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Embrace it.

Answers:
1-10: d, c, b, a, c, c, b, b, d, d
11-20: c, b, c, a, d, c, b, c, a, b
21-25: d, c, b, c, c