More Scenes from Duluth Dylan Fest 2025

House Party (click photos to enlarge)

There was lots of music.

Sonny Earl, Paul Metsa & Gregg Inhofer (L to R)

Molly & the Danger Band @ Cedar Lounge 

Singer/Songwriters, Female Contingent

Dylan Fest Staffers: (L to R) Pat Eliason, Laura Whitney,

Sunbonnet Sue, Ed Newman, Zane Bail, Michael Anderson

Kate & Zane at the Porch Party

Shelter from the Storm Concert @ Sacred Heart

Cowboy Angel Blue @ Mr. D's

And special thanks to all who came from a distance, 

especially those from overseas like this batch from

Belgium & the Netherlands

 

Northland Dylan Tributes: Gregg Inhofer, Billy Peterson, Paul Metsa and Duluth Dylan Fest 2025

This coming Friday and Saturday, Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson will be joining Glenn Swanson for a very special weekend of Cookin' at the O. Though Peterson has been a staple at the Oldenburg House for years now, this is the first time Inhofer has joined him in an event that will serve as prologue for the upcoming week of Dylan Fest.

An American singer-songwriter, pianist, and vocalist, Gregg Inhofer's music combines a wide variety of influences, including rock, R'n'B, and jazz. He's played a significant role in the Minneapolis music scene throughout his career and is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Gregg Inhofer w/ Billy Peterson
on set of Metsa's Wall of Power (2019)

What's special about this weekend's shows is that Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson, who have been performing together since the early Seventies, recorded with Dylan on half the songs on "Blood on the Tracks". (For more about that story, follow the links below.)  FWIW, Dylan’s album “Blood on the Tracks”, ranks number 16 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. 

Another special feature about the weekend: Glenn and Gregg worked together decades ago in the band "This Oneness" and for the two of them, this is a long awaited reunion.

I first met Gregg at a special event in the studio of Paul Metsa's Wall of Power. The six Minnesota musicians who contributed to Bob Dylan's 1975 double Platinum Blood on the Tracks were gathered together to celebrate the release of Bootleg 14: More Blood, More Tracks. (Two were present via media connections.) It was an exceedingly moving event, because their contributions to the original album had not yet been publicly recognized. Thus, this was a vindication of sorts, in addition to being a reunion.

IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN to the Oldenburg House for their A++ jazz events, you really owe it to yourself to learn more about this historic Carlton hideaway. The shows include first class cuisine by Chef Paul Sapyta of Room at the Table.

In addition to the 8-day week of events assembled for Duluth Dylan Fest 2025, I have to quickly mention that the Alhambra Theater, adjacent to the West Theatre, is having it Grand Opening this weekend. There will be magicians, musicians and more. (For the record, Dylan was a big fan of Harry Houdini. On one occasion he was asked what event he would like to see if he could go back in time. He purportedly said that he would like to have been there when Harry Houdini was chained, trussed and locked in a box that was thrust into the East River.)

So, on Tuesday May 20 at 8:00 pm at the Alhambra, Paul Metsa and friends are inviting you to share a Salute to Bob Dylan Concert and Conversation. This intimate setting will include special guest Gregg Inhofer and Metsa's superbly talented harmonicat sidekick, Sonny Earl. Doors open at 6:30, concert kicks off at 8:30. Tickets are $18 and $23 based on seating:  https://readertix.com/events/paul-metsa-friends-do-dylan

About the Alhambra

The Vision for the Alhambra

New chapter for Historic Duluth Theater

About Paul Metsa's 2019 BOTT Reunion Celebration
Inside the Studio: Still More Blood and Tracks as Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Features MN Music Luminaries

Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Featuring Dylan's BOTT Studio Musicians from Sound 80 (Part 2)
Lives Touched and Energized: Dylan, Blood, Tracks, Metsa--Part 3

Cookin' at the O 2025
Upcoming Performances

Tickets for May 16 Dylan Tribute

Tickets for May 17

10 Things You May Not Know About the Oldenburg House in Carlton

When I first met Gregg in 2019 he shared these personal observations from his experience in 1974 recording with Dylan. “I was working for Kevin (Odegard), Billy Peterson and Bill Berg (drummer). They needed a studio keyboard player. First impression: 'Cool' He (Dylan) had my respect. I wasn’t a fan like the other guys. I was studying jazz/rock fusion. Dylan’s tunes were technically simple."

When I asked about not being mentioned on liner notes he replied, “I take my own 50% responsibility. I should’ve called David (Zimmerman). I was naïve about business and didn’t follow up.”

The week ahead will be loaded with memorable moments. If able, you may want to be part of them. 

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

Big shout out to Glenn Swanson and Emily Fuerste for the richness and life they've brought to their community. Shine on!

Another big shout out to Bob Boone and all the volunteers and financial contributors who sacrificed so much to bring the Alhambra back to life for a new generation.

Top Stories of 2022 Here at Ennyman's Territory

"On the Threshold"

2022 was a very different year for me. My years of covering the local art scene pretty much ended with the beginning of the pandemic. Three years passed in which I found myself less inclined to hustle, to run around to as many openings as possible, etc. (Most such activity was on hold anyways.) For what it's worth there are a number of new faces in town and a lot of art to see in our galleries and various spaces where artists display their work. Make a New Year's Resolution to check out a few art shows or galleries in 2023.  

Similarly, I wrote less  about Bob Dylan (on my blog) than I have in years past, in part because so many others are providing such thorough commentary on every facet of his never ending career that I don't always have much to add other than a few observations from living near the epicenter of its beginning. On the other hand, I did contribute a few chapters to an upcoming book about Dylan in Minnesota. You'll hear more about this in 2023, I suspect.

A regular reader might have noticed I've lost a few friends this year, precious people whose presence will be missed and who were much respected for their character as well as talents. In life we make such a noise about achievements, but this year it is character that really shines when we finish our race. May your own lamp burn bright with the inner radiance of who you are as you strive to be your best selves in 2023.

A regular reader may also have noticed quite a few references to Nevada Bob Gordon whose memoir I helped edit, revise and get published. Bob's book is titled with tongue-planted-in-cheek, 50 Years with the Wrong Woman. The octogenarian has lived an adventurous and most unusual life by today's standards. You can read more about his book here.

What follows are the top 12 stories, based on pageviews, at Ennyman's Territory in 2022. Afterwards are a few stories that appeared in other publications and that I feel good about having written.

* * * * *

12.  Insights and Observations from Napoleon Bonaparte: A Baker's Dozen   
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/01/insights-and-observations-from-napoleon.html

11. Paul Metsa Introduces His Upcoming Books and Shares Stories as Duluth Dylan Fest Winds Down
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/05/paul-metsa-introduces-his-upcoming.html

10. Oil Matters: Things to Think About If We Eliminate Oil
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/01/eliminating-oil-will-lead-to.html

9. A Few Comments on the Food Shortages   
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-few-comments-on-food-shortages.html

8. Story Idea: The Party and Its Aftermath       
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/01/story-idea-party-and-its-aftermath.html

7. Who Killed Davey Browne? Widow Amy Lavelle's Story Brings to Mind Early Dylan Song
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/11/who-killed-davey-browne-widow-amy.html

6. Nevada Bob's Bad Movie Blues       
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/02/nevada-bobs-bad-movie-blues.html  

5. Almost Wordless Wednesday: Photos from Andy & Renee and Hard Rain's Dylanfest 32   
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/06/almost-wordless-wednesday-andy-renees.html

4. Schedule for the 2022 Duluth Dylan Fest: We're Ready To Roll 
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/04/schedule-for-2022-duluth-dylan-fest.html

3. A Dozen Historical Newspaper Clippings about Dylan and the Northland
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-few-historical-clippings-about-dylan.html

2. Was Subterranean Homesick Blues Written in a Laundromat?
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/05/was-subterranean-homesick-blues-written.html

1. Bob Dylan: Good As I Been To You
https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2022/03/bob-dylan-good-as-i-been-to-you-is-good.html

* * * * *

Three other articles that I considered especially important were published this year: 

In April, my article on Homelessness ("In Plain Sight") was published in Business North.
http://www.businessnorth.com/daily_briefing/in-plain-sight/article_d389bc72-b697-11ec-ad02-6fb7b3d20355.html

In August, my story on the Northland Housing Crunch was published.

http://www.businessnorth.com/businessnorth_exclusives/housing-crunch-impacts-the-northland/article_320206ac-2230-11ed-879d-ffbe9067d749.html

Also in August, I did a story about Bob Boone's vision for the nearly forgotten Alhambra Theater which he has been renovating. This little gem was inside of a building adjacent to The West Theater that he purchased without knowing it had a theater inside. His intent was to expand the West. When you see what Boone did with the West (on a shoestring) it's my hope that someone with deep pockets can help bring this jewel back to life.  https://duluthreader.com/articles/2022/08/18/122419-bob-boone-shares-his-vision-for-the-alhambra

* * * 

For what it's worth, I am periodically active on Instagram. You can follow me here:
https://www.instagram.com/newman_ed/

* * * 

In the meantime, let your creativity thrive 
and make every day count. 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Paul Metsa and Sonny Earl at the Brewhouse

"Paul is a great artist. I always look forward to playing with him.”--Lyle Lovett 

"The boys are back in town." 

After a lifetime making music in the Twin Cities, Paul Metsa has now made his residence in Duluth. For the time being he is living in the downstairs portion of the duplex where young Bobby Zimmerman lived (upstairs) in the house now owned and being renovated by Dylan memorabilia collector and archivist Bill Pagel.

A few weeks back I caught wind that Metsa was performing at the Brewhouse. What made the event a treat was that he was accompanied by his sideman Sonny Earl on harmonica. If you've never heard Sonny Earl play the blues harp... well, to put it straight, I'm willing to bet there ain't no one you'll ever hear that is better. Yes, there are some great players out there, and I won't suggest Sonny is the best that ever was, but he's equal to that guy, and he was here at the Brewhouse.

Paul Metsa pulled in an appreciative crowd and did his thing, looking at home in the space he occupied, singing songs he'd written and shedding a few copies of his 2011 memoir Blue Guitar Highway to make room for his latest volume which should be available soon. 

The caliber of people he has associated with and performed with says a lot about who he is. Since I've already said more than I intended for this "Almost Wordless Wednesday" I'll post a few photos and leave my book review for another time.

"The beauty of obscurity is you never go out of style."
--Paul Metsa

I first met Sonny Earl on the set of Paul Metsa's Wall of Power show in Minneapolis when they were celebrating the release of Bob Dylan's Bootleg #13, More Blood, More Tracks. The occasion was special because the Minnesota musicians who did the session work with Dylan were finally being acknowledged for their contributions to an album which some have called Dylan's best work, Blood on the Tracks.

You can read some of the stories from that afternoon in the Wall of Power studio here:

Inside the Studio: Still More Blood and Tracks as Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Features MN Music Luminaries

Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Featuring Dylan's BOTT Studio Musicians from Sound 80 (Part 2)

Lives Touched and Energized: Dylan, Blood, Tracks, Metsa--Part 3