Grant Peeples, the left-neck Americana artist from Tallahassee, is celebrating a birthday in a big way. Not his birthday, that was May 2, but the 85th birthday of the legendary troubadour Bob Dylan.
Grant has organized five birthday tribute shows around the state, that caps off with a mainstage show at the Palladium on Dylan’s actual birthday. Forever Young: Bob Dylan’s 85th Birthday Bash, is Thursday, May 21, in Hough Hall. The show features performances by Peeples, Have Gun Will Travel, The Currys, and Bad Dog Mama.
This multi-artist showcase brings together some of the region’s most compelling singer-songwriters and bands for a night of music that is reflective, rebellious, and forever young. Tickets are going fast. To get your ticket, please follow this link.
“Dylan’s been the greatest influence on me as far as songwriters go,” Grant told me during a phone call last week. “More than 5,000 artists have covered his songs. I mean, I’ve written at least 120 songs, but nobody ever covers my damn songs.”
Coming up with excuses to play and sing Dylan tunes all night was a natural for Grant.
“I’ve been leading Dylan tribute shows since the early days of his music career. I’ve probably done 20 or 30 of them over the years.”
He’s just back from seeing his idol in concert in Dothan, Alabama.
“He’s still relevant. He’s an amazing human being,” Grant said. “On this tour, he plays with two acoustic guitars. He’s playing piano. Upright bass. There’s not a lot of stage noise and his voice really comes through.”
Joining Grant at the Palladium show this Thursday are a band of brothers called The Currys, who are fresh from an appearance at the Word of South Festival in Tallahassee. They played the Palladium a few years ago as part of the Listening Room Festival.
Bad Dog Mama is new to the Palladium. Grant calls them “the hardest working band in St. Augustine. They don’t tour much, but they draw big crowds up there all the time.”
Peeples, The Currys and Bad Dog Mama, will play the first set. For the second set, he’s landed one of Florida’s top bands, Have Gun Will Travel, out of Bradenton.
“They’re celebrating their 20th anniversary right now and I’m so lucky I was able to get them.”
Along with their original music, HGWT, has led tributes to The Band and Bob Dylan, and have played some legendary shows at the Palladium.
This special tribute evening honors Dylan’s remarkable legacy with performances spanning the many eras of his legendary career – from folk anthems and protest songs to electric rock and timeless ballads.
Grant closes his Dylan shows with a free-wheeling, all-hands-on-deck version of “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” with audience members invited up to offer their own ad-lipped verses. I’ll see you there this Thursday.
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