Bob Dylan Plays a Minor League Stadium and Hits it Out of the Park

My First Bob Dylan Concert Experience

On August 19, 2006 the streets of Frederick, Maryland saw more traffic than ever before. Thousands gathered at Harry Grove Stadium to see music and writing legend Bob Dylan play the hits that have inspired and consoled generations since the 60's. The baseball stadium tour began with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson in Cooperstown, New York-home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and has been lighting up small town stadiums for months now.

I arrived at Harry Grove Stadium at 7:00 p.m., surrounded by three or four generations of Dylan fans. Grandparents, parents, and children alike danced and anticipated that initial stage appearance of the prophetic poet in black, as the first of two opening bands played. A Dylan concert virgin, I was pleased to find that the atmosphere was laid back, like hangin' out with a bunch of friends in your back yard.

The first opening band, which I didn't catch the name of since I arrived a half hour late, was an Austin Texas group, playing country music with a Spanish flavor. Frederick's country crowd seemed to be more aware of these tunes than I; they sang along, guzzling beers while I tapped my foot impatiently gazing at the stage that Dylan would soon walk onto. 

The next band, Jimmie Vaughan with Lou Ann Barton was a real treat for a blues fanatic like myself. Vaughan even played a tune that he formerly performed with Double Trouble, younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan's band. Vaughan and Lou Ann Barton's songs were soulful and in typical roadhouse blues style, a great preparation for what was soon to come.

Rain was forecasted for that evening but the most concern it provoked among Dylanites was an occasional glance at the grey, cloud smothered sky and assertions of where valuables could be placed to prevent soaking, because barring lightning, this crowd wasn't going anywhere. The tie-dyed shirt and cowboy hat swathed crowd continued dancing, singing, and waiting.