Bob Dylan at the ballpark

I’m a pretty major Bob Dylan fan, so putting him in a ballpark gets me 50% of the way towards my personal Nirvana (the remaining 50% would be covered by including corned beef sandwiches and a complicated brunette with a dark rhythm in her soul, though not necessarily in that order). For now we have the first half:

Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp will share the bill during a U.S. summer tour of minor league baseball parks, beginning July 2 at the GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill., and wrapping Aug. 15 at the Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, Calif.

The upcoming 22-date tour marks the second time over the past 24 years that Dylan, Nelson and Mellencamp have shared the staged, according to a news release.

Most of the ballpark concerts will general admission seating, with tickets priced at $67.50. Children under the age of 14 will be given free admittance if accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Tickets go on sale beginning May 2 at select ballpark box offices and through ticketmaster.com.

I have grown to appreciate Willie Nelson in recent years, so this sounds doubly excellent. Mellencamp? Eh. No ill will or anything, and a mix CD containing his hits is a surprisingly satisfying listen, but I’m pretty sure I could die content without having seen him live. Maybe he’ll get sick and they can swap in Tom Petty or someone.

The only hiccup: they’re not playing Columbus, despite the fact that we have a shiny new AAA park. Maybe because of it. I don’t know. Anyway, I suppose it’s worth driving to Dayton.


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Aarcraft
14 years ago

I saw Willie and Dylan (not Mellencamp) at Greer Stadium in Nashville a couple years ago. I guess those two like the minor league parks.

mike in brooklyn
14 years ago

I agree with everything you said about Mellencamp.  Only I don’t think a trade for Petty is necessarily a trade up—more of an even swap.

Grant
14 years ago

Petty’s singles are better than Mellencamp’s. I’d say it’s a trade up.

I saw Dylan in Prospect Park last summer. He sounded pretty bad. I dunno if he’s really worth the money. At least not at my income level. I know, he’s a living legend and I’m a huge fan, but I wish I was alive in like 1967 to hear him. That’s all I’m sayin’.

Vin
14 years ago

I can’t stand John Mellencamp, but if you like the other two, it’s probably worth it. If Mellencamp goes on first, you can get there a little late, or just stand in the background drinking beer.

Oh, and substitute Radiohead for Bob Dylan, and that’s probably pretty close to my personal Nirvana, as well. What is it about beef-filled sandwiches and complicated brunettes?

blaze
14 years ago

Listen, if you can accept tongue and complicated blondes, it’s game on. I’ll drive and get sandwiches at Katzinger’s on the way.

blaze
14 years ago

Snap! They’re playing Washington, PA, at the Wild Things game at a gifty time for you! You drive, I’ll MAKE the corned beef – but I’ll still be a darkly-rhythmic blonde.

Craig Calcaterra
14 years ago

In your case I’ll make an exception.