Tonight, thanks to my beautiful and resourceful wife, we’re headed off to see Mr. Bob Dylan at Meadowbrook, and it’s got me thinking about the first time I saw Bob in concert and the great advice he gave me that night about my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech.
It was the fall of the year 2000, and the world had not come to a screeching halt due to Y2K dysfunction and I was feeling high on life due to the fact that I finally had everything utterly and completely in order. Due to the impending doomsday, I had dotted every “I” and crossed every “T” in my life, and I was eager to move on to future projects.
Just an interesting note here, but I still have everything completely in order, and now I’m organizing my daughter’s lives. I’m narrowing in on a husband for both of them and names for their children. I’m leaning towards Jack, Diane Mick and Keith (in the true spirit of rock and roll).
That night back in 2000 I managed to sneak back stage after Bob’s set (how many hallways must a man walk down you ask? About three.) and knock on his dressing room door.
He graciously asked me in (the room service cart and venue name tag I just happened upon helped a bit) and I explained to him that I had just started playing guitar the month before and I was concerned about my eventual and future need to give a speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance dinner.
Bob was very gracious and admitted that he too had had these fears when he first picked up the guitar back in 50’s era Minnesota.
We talked for a while over dinner procured from the food service cart and at the end of the hour he said “we should call Bruce to weigh in on this conversation. He is due to be inducted any day now and he must have some good perspective to offer.”
So using his giant cell phone (remember those?) he dialed up Bruce Springsteen and handed the phone over to me.
The Boss was very kind, and though he was simultaneously lifting weights and writing new songs, he gave me some sage advice.
He explained, that much like rock and roll itself, it’s important to look cool and detached while accepting any award. You may be so excited inside that you want to giggle like a school girl, but it’s important to stay calm and unemotional up there.
He then said “it’s been great talkin’ with you kid, but the person you should really chat with is Willie.”
“Willie Nelson?” I said. “Isn’t he in the Country Music Hall of Fame?”
“Willie’s so cool that he is in both Halls of Fame” replied Bruce.
I knew that this was not true (he was thinking of Johnny Cash), but I did not question the Boss; after all, he got that nickname for a reason.
Willie Nelson was a bit foggy on the phone (must have been the time difference between here and Texas) and kept mistaking me for the exterminator who had not shown up at his mansion (since reposed by Uncle Sam for back taxes purposes) that day.
But he did give me some great songwriting advice, and tips on how to get rid of red Texas fire ants in your kitchen.
I then noticed Bob check his watch (I was after all on a long distance call on his gigantic cell phone) and politely ended my conversation with the Country Music legend.
After a call to security by Bob, I quickly thanked him for his time and hit the road with lots to think about.
I promptly made my way back home and wrote an epic song about the whole affair.
All that was left to do was make a few classic albums and play cool venues like the Great Wall of China and the Eifel Tower (with a few coffee shops and street corners thrown in for good measure).
Thanks for your time Bob; I’m looking forward to seeing you again tonight.
Has anyone seen a stray food cart and an ID?
